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Mdina, Malta is a city I had never heard of before visiting. I’m pretty sure I actually learned about it the day before our Celebrity Cruises ship docked in Malta for the day. I did some quick research, found a public bus from the capital Valletta, and upon arrival — was absolutely blown away. Mdina is one of the most beautiful and peaceful cities I’ve visited in Europe. Malta is completely underrated and there’s no doubt in my mind that Mdina, Malta’s attractions will continue to gain popularity in years to come. So, whether you’re stumbling upon this article as you prepare for a cruise of your own, or maybe you’re planning a road trip around the island of Malta, here’s everything you need to know about Mdina, Malta’s most iconic attractions — including Game of Thrones filming locations, restaurants, and other things to do during your visit.
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What Is Mdina, Malta Known For?
Some historians believe Mdina dates back to 4000 BCE. Maybe not, but it is common knowledge that the city is OLD. Mdina was first fortified by stone walls 3,000 years ago (around 700 BCE), when the Phonenicians founded the city as we know it today. They chose to annex it off as a strategic fortress city. A smart choice, considering it has lasted the test of time through periods of Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, French, and British rule — all of whom have left a unique mark on the city.
St. Paul the Apostle is believed to have shipwrecked off the coast of Malta and rested in Mdina around 60 CE, proving the city is full of ancient history.
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The Silent City
Mdina is the oldest fortified medieval town in central Malta and sits on top of a hill, surrounded by sprawling countryside and with views of the sea in the distance. The walled city is often referred to the “Silent City” — both for its serene surroundings and also for its medieval history. This nickname was first coined by locals when the city ceased to be the capital city. Mdina was once a bustling capital, but was left behind as uninhabited when the capital moved to Vittriosa and later, Valletta.
Today, the city is still quite tranquil. It is no longer a “ghost town” as 1.5 million visitors go to Mdina each year. Cars are not allowed within the city walls, except for a few residents with special licenses (which btw — there are less than 300 people who call Mdina “home”!). Instead, there are carriages that transport tourists within the walls — which adds to the charm. The best way to explore Mdina, Malta’s attractions is on foot though. More on this below!
Where Is Mdina, Malta Located?
Mdina, Malta is located in central Malta. As mentioned above, the walled city is surrounded by countryside. It lies 8 miles west of Valletta, the modern capital. It is about 30 minutes by car from Valletta and about 5 minutes from Rabat. Mdina and Rabat were once inside the same defensive walls, but got separated by the Arabs. Rabat means “suburbs”, so this historic city now lays on the outskirts of Mdina, and is known for its quiet gardens, churches, and museums.
Pro-tip: This top-rated walking tour covers both Mdina and Rabat, including a visit to the Catacombs.
Malta is an island in southern Europe. It’s located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, directly south of Italy and north of Libya in Africa. Malta is the largest and most populous of the three major islands located within the Maltese Archipelago. It lies southeast of the two other smaller islands — Gozo and Comino.
Malta played an important role for the allies in WWII and became independent from Britain and joined the Commonwealth in 1964. A decade later, it was declared an independent republic on December 13, 1974. Malta was admitted into the EU in 2004.
How Do You Get To Mdina?
Mdina lies around 8 miles west of Malta’s capital, Valletta. Allow 30 minutes to get there by car or bus. My sister and I rode the public bus from Valletta to Mdina and it was SO easy! It took only 30 minutes, was a scenic way to see more of the island country, and cost only 4 Euro each (2 Euro each way / 4 Euro round trip). Make sure you have cash to pay the driver once you are on board! Here’s how to find the bus in Valletta:
Where To Find The Bus In Valletta To Mdina
Catch the bus from the Valletta City gate terminus. Take bus 50, 51, 52, 53, 56 OR C1, C2, or C3 towards Rabat / Mdina. The bus may stop in Rabat before or after, but be sure to get off in Mdina.
Pro-tip: Maltese people are very friendly and tend to be fluent in English. Don’t be afraid to confirm with the driver about a Mdina drop off!
In Valletta, you can take the Barrakka Lift (free down, but 1 Euro up) to get down to the bus terminal. Come out of the Upper Barrakka Gardens to the roundabout. Take the first left, cross the road, and follow the switchbacks / stairs to the bottom to the bus station, where the C bays are located opposite of the others.
The lift will help you avoid the steep walk. A lot of other tourists will be on the switchback / stairs making their way down too!
To find the bus in Mdina, just remember where you got dropped off (near the city gates) and take the same bus back! Pick up will be on the opposite side of the road. Pay attention to the bus schedule, but they do travel along this route frequently.
What Are The Mdina, Malta Attractions To See?
Shop In A Glass Store
Mdina, Malta has several famous attractions to see and is also known for its glass! The glass shops in the city are some of Mdina, Malta’s attractions — don’t miss them! My sister and I browsed in 2-3 of them during our visit and I brought home a glass ornament as a souvenir to remember the trip.
Pro-tip: The glass shops are scattered throughout the city, but there is one located right within the courtyard of the main gate once you pass into Mdina’s city walls.
Visit Game Of Thrones Filming Locations
Game of Thrones was filmed all over Malta! Many locations in Malta, including Mdina, were used to film Kings Landing before the filming location got moved to Croatia.
Mdina Gate
The most notable Game of Thrones filming location in Malta is in Mdina! The front gate of Mdina, also known as the Mdina Gate or the Main Gate, were used as the exterior entrance to King’s Landing in Season 1. Most notably — the gates are spotted during the final scene between Ned and Catelyn Stark (Episode: “Lord Snow”, Season 1, Episode 3). You can see the backside of the gate as they stand in the courtyard and speak with each other for the final time.
Mesquita Square
Another well-known filming location within Mdina is Mesquita Square. To reach it: take a left after walking through the front gates, a right past St. Agatha’s, and then your first left. This square is quite small, but you will find a few restaurants here. Newsflash: It doesn’t actually have a brothel.
This square is were Jamie Lannister orders his men to attack Ned Stark’s guards in an ambush (Episode: “The Wolf & The Lion”, Season 1, Episode 5). The square is also the exterior of Littlefinger’s oh-so-famous brothel.
Pro-tip: Nearby Rabat city is also home to several famous Game of Thrones filming locations, including the Migra Ferha cliff area which served as the Dothraki Camp during the first season of the show. Additionally, St. Dominic’s Priory, a small church in Rabat (which you can see on THIS walking tour!), was used as the Red Keep Courtyard during season one.
Fontanella Tea Garden
Fontanella Tea Garden has to be my number one recommendation for Mdina, Malta attractions! This restaurant is located down an unassuming cobblestone street, and is one of the most picturesque restaurants I’ve ever seen! The restaurant was built into the walls of the city, so to access it — you have to climb up a flight of stairs. Then, you can quite literally sit on top of the city walls that overlook the surrounding countryside and ocean.
This restaurant also has a charming courtyard below. They serve the best teas, coffees, and cakes. I recommend stopping here in the afternoon for a little sweet treat!
Mdina Dungeons Museum
Discover Malta’s dark past at this dungeon + torture museum, located beneath a medieval palace. The museum offers exhibits on the history of punishment, as guests travel throughout dimly lit cells and passageways.
Open everyday from 10-4 pm (9:30 – 4:30 pm on the weekends). Admission is 5 Euro for adults.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Located in one of the central squares in Mdina, this Catholic cathedral is Malta’s oldest church! It was built between 1696 and 1705, and features Baroque-style frescoes, engravings, and other artworks. It’s also known as the Mdina Cathedral.
The Blue Door
There are several colorful doors and beautiful facades in Mdina to photograph and pose in front of. The most famous one is the “Blue Door”. Located in the same alleyway as Coogi’s Restaurant & Tea Garden, you won’t miss it. There may be a small line at front. Don’t leave the city without photographing some of these Mdina, Malta attractions!
That’s all for my in-depth guide on how to get to Mdina, which included some background information and what Mdina, Malta attractions to see during your visit. I hope this travel guide encourages you to plan a trip of your own. If you’re visiting by cruise ship from Valletta, it is SUPER easy! We actually explored both cities in one day. You can read about Valletta in my next blog post, linked here.
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