Description of Mdina
Mdina City Fortified Walls & Cathedral
- Mdina, once the capital of Malta. For it's size about a quarter mile by a quarter mile, Mdina has a vast number of attractions for the visitor to see.
- Mdina is a must visit on any holiday to Malta
- It is very easy to reach by public transport buses from the popular tourist resorts.
- There are also coach Tours to Mdina from various locations in Malta
- If driving, although there are 4 very nearby carparks they are often full at busy times
Mdina Location
- The fortified and walled town Mdina is centrally located on the island of Malta on the top of a hill.
- Located on 2 sides of the old town is Rabat. Rabat means suburbs to a walled town and located outside the walls.
- In it's commanding location Mdina can be seen for mile, some say over 50% of the island.
Mdina Attractions & Things to Do
Visit our Mdina Attractions Page
Shopping in Mdina
- Mdina is not a town to go on a shopping spree
- But do check shops selling artisan craft war emuch of which is made localy in the Ta' Qali Artisan Village, such as glass blowing and coloured glass objects, filigree goldsmiths, crafted jewellery, ceramicware, stone miniature houses and souvenirs, wooden sculptures, candles and lace.
- There are a few shops selling tourist type souvenirs
Nightlife in Mdina
- Much quieter than in the daytime.
- The views from the ramparts look fabulous as dark approache and the lights are gradually turned on.
- The low level lighting in the streets gives an erie & atmospheric feel.
- Some very good photo opportunities
Parking in Mdina
- There is NO public parking inside Mdina City Walls. Only residents with a permit can park there.
- Thats not a problem because Mdina is smaller than an english village only 0.9 square kilometers (0.3 square miles) in size.
- There are 4 car parks just outside the City Walls of Mdina.
- There is one next to the childrens playground & kiosk cafe, 100m from Mdina Gate, Mdina's main entrance.
- 2 car parks are in the ditch, 1 on either side of the south west corner bastion
- South side next to Greeks Gate. Small Magpie Kiosk cafe in the car park. Also entrance to the ditch gardens.
- West side next to Gharreqin Gate.
- The fourth, the largest car park is next to Rabats bus station
Mdina Restaurants & Cuisine
Fontanella Tea Garden - Mdina
Interactive Photo of Rampart near Fontanella Restaurant
- A restaurant and coffee shop
- With fabulous views from the tables on the open air roof top, situatted on the fortified Mdina's ramparts
- Highly recommended for cake & coffee
- Local cuisine
- Desserts try one they are Excellent
- Italian
- Pizza
- Mediterranean Cafe
Location of Fontanella Tea Garden
1 Bastion Street, Mdina, Malta
Coogi's Restaurant
- Restaurant, Tea Garden,Bistro
- Specialises in Maltese & Italian Cooking.
- A Choice of eating in either
Location of Palazzo Costanzo Restaurant
Has moved from the Palazzo Costanzo, Villegaignon Street, Mdina, Malt ato
St Agatha's Esplanade Mdina that's the very narrow street before the last building on the left at the top of Villegaignon Street next to the Observation Deck Mdina
Sports in Mdina
- Many hotels & aparthotels have their own sporting facilities. See Hotel descriptions
Rabat Bus Station for Mdina& Rabat
- The main bus station is located in Rabat approximate 100/200 mt's from Mdina's Main gate
- Its not really a bus station but 4 bus stops spread out along both sides of the street Triq tal-Muże
- Stops Rabat 1 & Rabat 2 on the street side nearest Mdina
- Stops Rabat 3 & Rabat 4 on the street side nearest Rabat
Rabat Bus Station Routes
Rabat 1
50 Valletta - Rabat
51 Valletta - via Rabat - Mtarfa
52 Valletta - via Rabat - Dingli
53 Valletta - Rabat Virtu
56 Valletta - via Rabat - Dingli + Many more including Verdula Palace & nearer to Dingli Cliffs
Rabat 2
109 Bahrija - via Rabat - Providenza
109A Bahrija - Providenza
181 Mater Dei - via Rabat - Dingli
182 Mater Dei - Mtarfa
186 Rabat - Bugibba+ St Pauls Bay, Qawra
201 Rabat - Ajruport + Airport 3, Dingli Cliffs, Blue Grotto
202 Rabat - Sliema several stops, Balluta (Bay), Spinola (Bay), Ross, San Giljan, Pacevile Nightlife Centre300, Mosta,
X3 Ajruport - via Rabat - Bugibba + Airport 2, + St Pauls Bay, Qawra
Rabat 3
50, 51, 52, 53, 56
Rabat 4
109, X3
Download a Malta Bus Route Map
Download Page
The download link is a bit hard to spot. Look for 'downloaded from our website' roughly half way down the pages text.
Its not underlined & pale to medium blue text.
A copy of the map may also be collected from any one of Malta Public Transport Sales and Information Offices in Valletta, Bugibba, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta International Airport, Sliema Ferries and Victoria.
Tours to Mdina
MDINA Silent City Tour (Half Day with Pick-up)
- You will go to:
- Rabat around Tour
- Tour fortified city of Mdina
- Panoramic view of Malta from bastions
- Main gate & Greek gate
- Free time to explore Mdina
- Professional English speaking Tour Guide
- 2hrs onsite guided tour
More Information or Book a Tour
Hotels in Mdina
Hotel Xara Palace is within the Mdina walls
Hotels in or near Mdina also, flights & transfers with Tripadvisor