Mdina & Rabat Walking Tour: Malta's Silent City & Village
Historical tour of Malta’s former capital Mdina and neighboring Rabat: we trace the story of medieval power and faith inside the walled city, see the Mdina Gate, St Paul’s Cathedral, Palazzo Falson and the bastions, then move to Rabat for St Paul’s Catacombs.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Mdina city main gate Nearest public transport: Ir-Rabat - Mdina bus stop; Ir-Rabat - Rabat 4 bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Authentic Malta guides.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (6 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (10€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Mdina, the old capital city of Malta, is exactly that: the place from where the nobility and the church controlled the island, protected by impregnable walls against enemy attacks. It is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved European medieval towns, selected as a setting by producers of movies and TV series like Game of Thrones, “Troy” and “Gladiator”! Coming here you will immediately understand why: the old narrow alleyways every now and then opening into charming squares or leading you to bastions with spectacular views haven’t changed much from the days when knights and lords walked them.
Mdina has managed to do the impossible – to keep the passage of time away, there are no modern shops here, no neon lights… Right under the walled city of Mdina there is Rabat – a charming village full of colourful doors and balconies and quaint streets. It grew around the city, built by those who couldn’t afford a palace inside of the walls, but wanted to be close by in the (likely) case of an attack.
During the tour we will visit both: Mdina and Rabat, weaving a fascinating story of the town, the village and their former inhabitants, stories that shaped Maltese traditions, beliefs and the essence of who we are today. It is a visit no one should miss if they really want to understand the soul of Malta.
Highlights
- 1
Mdina, the Silent City
Explore Malta's ancient walled capital, a beautifully preserved medieval town once home to noble families.
- 2
Charming Rabat
Discover the quaint village outside Mdina's walls, known for its colourful doors and winding streets.
- 3
Famous Film Locations
See real-life settings for productions like Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Troy in the ancient city.
- 4
Medieval Alleyways
Wander through narrow, winding streets that have remained unchanged since the time of knights and lords.
- 5
The City Bastions
Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the island from the top of Mdina's impressive defensive fortifications.
- 6
Stories of the Knights
Hear tales of the legendary knights and lords who once walked these very streets and defended the city.
7Maltese Traditions
Learn how stories from these towns shaped the traditions and beliefs of the Maltese people today.
Map
Mdina city main gate Nearest public transport: Ir-Rabat - Mdina bus stop; Ir-Rabat - Rabat 4 bus stop
Our customers said about us
Valletta
5.0David
Excellent
Really informative, perfect to understand the 2 cities
Valletta
5.0Clara
Ciudad parada en el medioevo
La ciudad es bonita, pero con el tour es infinitamente mejor
Valletta
5.0Peter
Great too!
This tour is quite historical, which allows you to learn about the city and the history and traditions of Malta. Highly recommended
Valletta
5.0Asia
Dos tours , dos guías y ambos fantasticos
Hicimos Valletta con esta empresa y nos gustó tanto que repetimos en Medina. Fue otra guia pero nos gustó lo mismo. Si hubiera más estrellas las dariamos
Valletta
5.0Tabitha
Fantastic tour
Historical tour with Tracy. Witty guide :) We really enjoyed. Recommended 100%
Valletta
5.0Janine
Excellent tour by Tracy
We very much enjoyed this tour of Rabat and Mdina, Tracy was very relatable and told us quote a bit about Maletese culture now and over the years as well as the history of these two tiny cities. So much so, that we joined her again in Valletta the following day for another tour
Valletta
5.0María
Súper bien también!
Hicimos los dos tours, y muy bien! Este es más histórico, pero también sobre tradiciones y cosas locales, y la guía volvió a ayudarnos con dudas más prácticas. Todo estupendo, muchas gracias!!!
Valletta
5.0David
Recomendable
Perfecto para enterarse de todo
Valletta
5.0Tom
Excellent
Excellent
Valletta
5.0Ramón
Muy bueno
Excelente para conocer las ciudades y las tradiciones
