Published: 30 September 2026
Mdina and Rabat: what to see in Malta's Silent City
Mdina is a walled town on a hilltop in the exact centre of Malta. It was the island's capital until the Knights of St John arrived in 1530 and settled by the harbour; since then it has been called the Silent City, because very few people live inside its walls and there is hardly any traffic.
A stone's throw away is Rabat, the town that grew outside the walls. This guide covers what to see in both, how to get there and what the guided walking tour we book with a licensed local guide is like.
A little history
Mdina has been inhabited for thousands of years and was a Phoenician, Roman and Arab town before it was medieval. In the Middle Ages it was the “Città Notabile”, the noble city, home to Malta's aristocratic families, and it is still the seat of the bishop of Malta. Its palaces and convents mix medieval and baroque architecture: the 1693 earthquake forced part of the town to be rebuilt, hence the blend of styles you see today.
What to see in Mdina
- •The Main Gate and the bridge over the moat: the baroque entrance to the town and the meeting point of the tour.
- •The narrow, curving streets: designed for shade and defence; early in the morning or at dusk they are almost empty.
- •St Paul's Cathedral and its square, the religious heart of the town.
- •The palaces of the noble families, with their doorways, knockers and wooden balconies.
- •The bastions: from the walls you see half of Malta, out to the Mosta dome and the sea.
Rabat, on the other side of the wall
Rabat is the district that grew outside Mdina. It has an old quarter of traditional Maltese architecture, streets with more life than the Silent City and an underground full of history: early-Christian catacombs and the grotto linked to St Paul. The guided tour ends right here, strolling through its old quarter.
The guided walking tour: what it's like
It lasts two hours, is in English with a licensed professional guide and starts at Mdina's main gate, by the bridge, with an introduction to the town's history. You then walk the medieval streets, the palaces and the viewpoints, and finish in Rabat's old quarter. It includes entry to churches and museums, costs from €20 per person and the route is wheelchair accessible. Wear comfortable shoes.
How to get there and how to book
Mdina is in the centre of the island, about 30 minutes by car from Valletta; there are also direct buses from the capital. If you drive, park outside the walls — you can't inside.
The “Book now” button opens our partner's booking page in a new tab; you pick a date and time, can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. The digital ticket arrives on your phone immediately.
