This is Your Guide to Mdina & Rabat Malta!
With its picturesque alleyways and sandstone walls, both Mdina and Rabat are home to some of Malta’s most stunning and charming views. The historical walled city of Mdina will leave you speechless, while the town of Rabat pays its visitors a calmingly beautiful refuge from the Maltese sun.
Mdina and Rabat are definitely places you’ll want to escape to, especially after a lively couple of days in Valletta! So throw on your walking shoes because It’s time to explore a bit more of Malta’s history. Trust me when I say there is so much to do in Mdina and Rabat, you’ll want to stay and stay and stay!
Keep scrolling if you want to know what to expect in Mdina, help planning your trip to Malta or if you’re simply looking for the perfect itinerary for what to do in the stunning towns of Mdina and Rabat!
Mdina & Rabat: The Back Story
Welcome to Mdina the fortified medieval, yet extremely Instagrammable, town located atop a large hill in the center of Malta itself. Dating back from the Bronze Age, about 750 BC, the Phoenicians took up home here. Fast forward to today with its narrow streets, the old capital of Malta preserves a lot of this island’s heart and soul.
Mdina, also known as the Silent City, boasts no cars and has only a few residents living within its enormous walls. Its narrow streets and alleyways cover a small area that you could probably finish within an hour, but you should stay a while longer to uncover the plethora of details waiting inside.
Rabat, just outside Mdina, is said to be the birthplace of Maltese Christianity. According to tradition, it was where the Apostle Paul lived after being shipwrecked on the island of Malta, in 60 AD. Today, Rabat’s heritage mainly consists of many Roman ruins and early Christian catacombs and is most famous for St. Paul’s Grotto and the Domvs Romana.
Where To Stay In Mdina & Rabat
First things first, where are we going to stay? My advice to make your life a lot easier, stay in Rabat. So without further adieu, here are my 3 favourite hotels for luxury, mid-range and budget accommodations in Rabat!
Luxury Stay in Rabat: The Heritage Boutique Accommodation
The Heritage Boutique Accommodation is a luxurious experience blending heritage and history with slick contemporary lines. Chic and elegantly modern, this beautiful hotel is located in the heart of Rabat and comes with air conditioning, a terraced garden, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, slippers and a hair dryer. Some are equipped with a dining area and balcony. Their Buffet and continental breakfast options include local specialities, fresh pastries and fruits which are available each and every morning!
Check Prices For The Heritage Boutique Accommodation HERE!
Check Prices For The Heritage Boutique Accommodation HERE!
Mid-Range Stay in Rabat: Maleth Inn
The Maleth Inn is a great choice for visitors looking to be right next to the gates of Mdina! We loved being able to roll out of bed and stroll through the Mdina gates within minutes! The rooms are spacious and air-conditioned and include private bathrooms, free toiletries, a fully equipped kitchenette and a flat-screen TV. The Maleth Inn was the perfect choice for our stay in Rabat.
Check Prices For Maleth Inn HERE!
Check Prices For Maleth Inn HERE!
Budget Stay in Rabat: My Travel House
Also located in the heart of Rabat, My Travel House is a clean and comfortable boutique hotel, one of the very few budget options that can be found inside Rabat itself. All units at My Travel House feature air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, free toiletries, free WiFi and a handful of rooms which also offer a balcony.
Check Prices For My Travel House HERE!
Check Prices For My Travel House HERE!
Checkout More Accommodations in Rabat
What To Do In Mdina
Is it worth visiting Mdina? Well… if you leave Malta without visiting Mdina’s beautiful narrow streets and panoramic views you’ll have regrets. Like a lot of them. Although this dramatically enclosed city is a small oasis and leisurely walkable within only a couple of hours, it’s a sight to see! To convince you further here are the top 7 things to do in Mdina.
1. Marvel Outside the Mdina Gate
One of the first landmarks you see upon arrival of the walled city, the Mdina Gate is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in Malta, but especially for those Game of Thrones lovers.
2. Discover Mdina’s Cutest & Most Instagrammable Corners
Mdina is FULL of history, charm and places to snap that perfect Instagram picture! From the moment you step through the Mdina Gate to the front of St Paul’s Cathedral there is a photo opp at every corner. Be sure to find the infamous blue door and grab a drink at Fontanella Tea Garden for those epic shots!
3. Grab a Midday Refresher at One of These Unforgettable Restaurant Cafes
There’s an incredible array of authentic local cafes, tea gardens and restaurants inside the walls of Mdina that offer both traditional and contemporary Maltese flavours. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to food and drinks here and you really are spoilt for choices. These are just some of the absolute best cafes in Mdina!
→ Fontanella Tea Garden for panoramic views, homemade cakes & homemade specialties
→ The Medina Restaurant a romantic cafe flooded with natural charm ideal for lunch & dinner
→ Don Mesquita Restaurant for a quaint cafe & restaurant to soak in Mdina authentically
→ Coogi’s Restaurant & Tea Garden grape vine covered courtyards you’ll never want to leave
4. Peek Inside St Paul’s Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, located in the heart of Mdina, is not only an elegantly constructed 17th century baroque cathedral, but a historic relic built atop the ruins of a 4th century church. Dominating the narrow streets of Mdina with its magnificent ornate facade inside you’ll find exquisite frescoes and a floor carpeted with inlaid marble slabs and tombstones.
5. Wander the Narrow Streets of the Silent City Itself
The city of Mdina itself is something to behold and experience! It’s not just a location to visit museums and points of interest, but a myriad of winding streets, architectural wonders and stone alleys which all make for the perfect afternoon of wandering.
6. Soak up the Views From Bastion Square
Grab a midday ice-cream and soak in the views from Bastion Square. Considered one of the most beautiful vantage points in all of Malta, trust me when I say, you’ll want to gaze out all afternoon pinpointing the stunning landmarks of Malta.
7. Dare to Enter the Mdina Dungeons
You heard that right! A whole museum dedicated to the vivid and harrowing account of medieval Malta. With underground passageways, chambers and cells which were home to some of the darkest and most torturous measures taken in a bygone era this is certainly not a history lesson for the faint hearted!
What To Do In Rabat Malta
We’ve already explored the walled city of Mdina so what could we possibly have left to do? Trust me when I say there’s more to explore on the other side of those walls in the city of Rabat. Although Rabat may be the gateway to the beauty that is Mdina, it holds an allure that leaves most of its visitors lusting over its charm. There is plenty to do in Rabat, so here are 6 of the best things to do:
1. Explore St Paul’s Catacombs & St. Agatha’s Crypt in Rabat
Serving as a burial ground from Punic, Roman and Byzantine times the St Paul’s Catacombs are a complex of interconnected, underground cemeteries that were in use up to the 4th century AD. Cool right! With over 2000 square meters of catacombs created by the Romans to bury their dead you’re sure to be as amazed, shocked and awestruck as I was!
2. Hop Aboard the Malta Fun Train Rabat
Take a fabulous, yet quick tour of the area on the Malta Fun Train Rabat! Pick up is in front of the Roman Domus and it truly is a great way to cruise through the city. Especially on a tumultuously hot summer day!
3. Let Your Jaw Drop at Dingli Cliffs
Just a 10 minute drive from the city of Rabat are the incredible Dingli Cliffs. A tiny chapel perched on the very edge dedicated to St Mary Magdalen is the perfect addition to these impressive cliff views. The cliffs extend all the way from Bahrija to the Munqar area where the MUST SEE Blue Grotto lies.
4. Peer Inside Domvs Romana
The Domvs Romana hosts the remains of a valuable townhouse that has exquisite mosaics that rank among the finest and most ancient compositions in the western Mediterranean.
5. Enjoy A Pastizzi in the Park
Grab a newspaper, buy a few pastizzi, grab a seat on a bench next to a Maltese granny and enjoy the peace and quiet Rabat has to offer. Howard Gardens boasts shady benches overlooking the beautiful bastion walls of Mdina. Where to get your pastizzi? These are the best places in Rabat for pastizzi:
→ Crystal Palace Bar undeniably amazing pea pastizzi & qassatat fresh out of the oven
→ Pie Master for those sensational savoury baked goods we all yearn for
6. Wander Rabat’s Magnificent Sand Stone Streets
Rabat houses impressive catacombs, archaeological remains and conceals great historical and cultural values amass its streets. It has its own charm which is attractive and lived in and makes for an eye-catching wander.
Best Cafes In Rabat Malta
When it comes to a great cup of coffee, the Maltese know how to do it right. Plus you can’t tell me coffee doesn’t taste better when it’s in an ancient city. If you’re looking for a cafe in Rabat here are some of the best!
→ CHALK cafe eatery wine for an absolutely charming little place to sip your afternoon latte
→ Ta’ Doni for a street side cafe & terrace that let’s you have your coffee with a view
→ Coffee Circus Smile freshly roasted specialty coffee with a wonderful rooftop view of Rabat
→ Boqqa Cafe for some great espresso to go with their incredible ftira
Best Restaurants In Rabat Malta
There’s an incredible array of authentic local restaurants in Rabat that offer an explosion of flavour in a garden oasis. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to restaurants here and you really are spoilt for choices. These are just some of the absolute best restaurants in Rabat!
→ The Fork & Cork a place to wine & exquisitely dine overlooking Rabat’s countryside
→ Root 81 for Mediterranean-style cuisine skillfully prepared with a focus on local ingredients
→ Café Wignacourt for an amazing garden bistro with Italian dishes to die for
→ Palazzo Castelletti Restaurant for a beautiful location and an assortment of yummy pizzas
→ L’enoteca your neighbourhood wine bar located in the heart of Rabat with glorious dishes
Best Bars In Rabat Malta
Rabat by night is a marvelous experience. This ancient town takes on a warm, golden tone as the sun sets and the sounds of clinking glasses fill the air. Here are some of the best Rabat bars to enjoy that much needed drink at!
→ Fra Angelico Wine Bar & Bistro for that cool yet laid back wine bar vibe we ache for
→ Ta’ Doni for tasty cocktails and craft beer nestled in the streets of Rabat
→ L’enoteca for your local authentic neighbourhood wine bar that never disappoints
→ Winehouse for an upscale house of wine that is sure to
How To Get Around Rabat
It’s pretty easy to get to Mdina and Rabat and to get around the area as well! Being two small yet popular Maltese cities you do have a couple of options when it comes to transport!
🚗 By Car: Renting a car is one of the easiest and efficient ways to get around Malta! It also means you are free to explore at your own leisure and aren’t constrained to the operating hours of public transport! We rented a car through Green Motion, one of the most inexpensive car rental companies on the island, it was great!
🚌 By Bus: Travel worry-free by bus! Malta’s only public transport system offers visitor passes and single use tickets depending on your preferences. Check out Malta’s bus system HERE!
👟 By Foot: Mdina and Rabat are very walkable cities which will allows you to get those steps in on the daily while seeing the sites!
🚕 By Taxi: We all know and love Uber for the sole purpose of getting around the city safely and comfortably! I also recommend downloading Bolt before you go as it’s another very commonly used taxi service that acts just like Uber!
Still Looking For A Place To Stay In Rabat or Mdina?
If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!
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Malta, undoubtably, is one of the most stunning countries I’ve ever visited. It’s historic charm, balmy beaches, pristine waters and vibrant culture immediately sucked me in. It was love at first sight! It’s quaint alleys, tasty pastizzi, incredible people and fascinating history should make Malta a top destination for all travelers. If you haven’t booked your flight yet, I’m sure my Malta blogposts will convince you otherwise! Check them out below…
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📌 St. Paul’s Bay Is Totally Worth The Visit & Here’s Everything You Need To Know!
📌 Marsaxlokk, Malta: The Colourful Fishing Village That Will Enchant You
📌 Mdina & Rabat Travel Guide: Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Malta’s Silent City
📌 Mellieha Malta: Northern Malta’s Hidden Gem
