Malta

Mdina

The 'Silent City', a medieval walled hilltop town with narrow alleys, palatial architecture, and panoramic island views.

Region: Northern Region
Country: Malta

What to see

St. Paul's Cathedral

Lorenzo Gafà's 17th-century masterpiece with a trompe-l'oeil dome and Mattia Preti frescoes, built over the grotto where St. Paul stayed.

Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum

A perfectly preserved medieval nobleman's home showcasing silver, paintings, armour, and a remarkable library across two floors.

Bastion Views & Fontanella Tea Garden

The city walls offer 360-degree views over most of Malta; the cliff-side cafe is famed for towering cakes and sunset aperitivos.

Experiences

Mdina served as Malta's capital from antiquity until the Knights moved the administration to Valletta in 1571. Enclosed by massive bastions, its car-free streets preserve a timeless atmosphere of Norman and Baroque architecture. The cathedral dedicated to St. Paul dominates the main square, built on the site where the Apostle reportedly converted the Roman governor Publius. Palazzo Falson houses a remarkable private collection of antiques, while the Mdina Dungeons and Knights of Malta audiovisual show cater to history buffs. At night, subtle lantern lighting transforms the honey-coloured limestone into a romantic, almost theatrical setting, best enjoyed with a glass of wine at a bastion-view restaurant like the famous Fontanella Tea Garden for its legendary chocolate cake.

Nearby