By air
Malta International Airport (MLA), ~15 km
Europe · Malta
Mdina, Malta
Malta's silent walled hilltop city
Getting there
Best time to visit
October to May — mild weather for walking
Don't miss
St Paul's Cathedral
Mdina Gate
Bastion Square
St Paul's Catacombs
Things to do
Walking the quiet lanes
Views from the bastions
Catacomb visits in Rabat
Evening strolls
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Frank Vincentz · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Comfortable shoes, light layers, sunscreen
A quieter corner
Domus Romana, the remains of a Roman townhouse with mosaics just outside the walls
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Mdina?
October to May — mild weather for walking. What to pack: Comfortable shoes, light layers, sunscreen.
How do I get to Mdina?
Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA), ~15 km.
What is there to do in Mdina?
Walking the quiet lanes, views from the bastions, catacomb visits in Rabat, evening strolls. A quieter find: Domus Romana, the remains of a Roman townhouse with mosaics just outside the walls.
What should I eat in Mdina?
Pastizzi in neighbouring Rabat, rabbit stew, honey rings and Maltese tea cakes.
About Mdina
- Hills
Where it is
Mdina is a fortified hilltop city in the centre of Malta, beside the town of Rabat and looking out over much of the island.
History
The site was settled by the Phoenicians and became the Roman town of Melite. Its name comes from Arabic, after Arab rulers reduced its size and built new walls. Mdina was Malta's capital until the Knights of St John moved their base to the harbour in 1530, and much of it was rebuilt in Baroque style after an earthquake in 1693.
People
Only a small number of people live inside Mdina's walls, many from old noble families, while neighbouring Rabat is a busy Maltese-speaking town with bakeries and churches.
Known for
- Quiet, car-free lanes
- Views from the bastions
- Baroque St Paul's Cathedral
- Noble palaces
Did you know?
Mdina is often called the Silent City because so few cars are allowed inside its walls.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.