Mdina Malta Holidays
Mdina
Holidays
The Silent City — one of the most extraordinary medieval walled cities in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow limestone lanes, Baroque palaces, a magnificent cathedral and extraordinary views from the ancient bastions, used as a filming location for Game of Thrones
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Flight Time
3h from London
Best Time
Year-round (best in spring and autumn)
Country
Malta
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Mdina Holiday Guide
Mdina is the most atmospheric and extraordinary medieval city in Malta — the Silent City, the magnificent cathedral, the Palazzo Falson, extraordinary views from the bastions and the Game of Thrones connection. 3 hours from London.
Visit early morning or evening to avoid the crowds.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
15°C
Feb
15°C
Mar
17°C
Apr
19°C
May
23°C
Jun
27°C
Jul
31°C
Aug
31°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
24°C
Nov
20°C
Dec
16°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Mdina
The narrow limestone lanes, the magnificent cathedral, the extraordinary views from the bastions, the Palazzo Falson and the most atmospheric and perfectly preserved medieval city in Malta.
Mdina Cathedral
The Mdina Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul) is the finest Baroque building outside Valletta — a magnificent 18th-century cathedral built on the site where St Paul is said to have converted the Roman governor of Malta to Christianity. The interior is extraordinary — marble floors, gilded altars, paintings by Mattia Preti and the most beautiful Baroque ceiling in Malta. The Cathedral Museum (in the adjacent Archbishop's Palace) has the finest collection of Maltese religious art and the extraordinary Dürer woodcuts.
The Bastions & Views
The bastions of Mdina offer the most extraordinary views in Malta — from the ancient walls, the entire island is visible, from the Grand Harbour and Valletta in the east to the Blue Lagoon and Gozo in the north. The views at sunset are the finest in Malta — the golden light on the limestone buildings and the panoramic view of the island are extraordinary. The Bastion Square (Misrah il-Kunsill) is the finest viewpoint in Mdina and is the most photographed spot in the city.
Palazzo Falson
The Palazzo Falson is the finest medieval palace in Malta — a beautifully preserved 15th-century Norman-Aragonese palazzo in the heart of Mdina, with extraordinary collections of art, armour, silver, furniture and books accumulated over centuries by the Falson family. The palazzo is the most atmospheric and authentic historic house in Malta and gives the finest insight into the life of the Maltese nobility. The rooftop terrace has extraordinary views of Mdina and the surrounding countryside.
Game of Thrones
Mdina was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones — the city's extraordinary medieval streets and architecture were used as King's Landing in the first series of the show. The Main Gate of Mdina (the most dramatic entrance to any city in Malta) and the narrow lanes of the city were used extensively in the filming. The Game of Thrones connection has made Mdina one of the most visited attractions in Malta — fans of the show will recognise many of the locations.
The Silent City
Mdina is known as the Silent City — a perfectly preserved medieval walled city with a permanent population of just 300 people, where cars are banned (except for residents) and the narrow limestone lanes are extraordinarily quiet and atmospheric. The city is at its most magical in the early morning (before the day trip coaches arrive) and in the evening (after they leave) — the silence, the golden limestone buildings and the medieval atmosphere are extraordinary. Mdina at night is the most atmospheric experience in Malta.
Fontanella Tea Garden
The Fontanella Tea Garden is the most famous cafe in Mdina — a beautiful terrace cafe on the bastions of Mdina, with extraordinary views of the Maltese countryside and the most celebrated cakes in Malta (the chocolate cake is the most famous). The cafe is the finest place for a coffee and cake in Mdina and is the most popular stop on any visit to the city. The terrace is the finest viewpoint in Mdina for those who want to sit and enjoy the views.
Rabat
Rabat is the town immediately outside the walls of Mdina — a charming, authentic Maltese town with the most important early Christian catacombs in Malta (the St Paul's Catacombs and the St Agatha's Catacombs, both dating from the 3rd–5th centuries AD), the Domus Romana (a Roman townhouse with extraordinary mosaic floors) and excellent restaurants. Rabat is the finest complement to a visit to Mdina and is often overlooked by visitors who focus only on the walled city.
Practical Tips
Mdina is 20 minutes from Valletta by bus and 30 minutes from Sliema and St Julian's. The city is best visited in the early morning (before 10am) or in the evening (after 5pm) to avoid the day trip crowds. The city is tiny (0.4km²) and can be explored in 2–3 hours. The Mdina Cathedral and the Palazzo Falson require tickets — book online in advance. The Fontanella Tea Garden is extremely popular — arrive early for a table on the terrace. Year-round is a good time to visit — the city is beautiful in all seasons.
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Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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