Mdina is Malta's "Silent City" — a walled medieval town perched on a hilltop inland, away from the coast and the tourist crowds of Valletta. Walking its narrow streets feels like stepping back centuries. The limestone buildings glow honey-coloured in afternoon light, and the quiet is genuinely striking for somewhere so historically significant. A guided tour makes real sense here because the history is dense: Roman temples, medieval palaces, baroque chapels, all compressed into a few kilometres of winding lanes.
Most visitors to Malta never make it inland to Mdina, which is both an advantage (fewer crowds than Valletta) and a reason to go with someone who knows the place. A half-day walking tour, typically 2–3 hours, covers the main sights and nearby Rabat, home to the extraordinary St Paul's Catacombs — early Christian burial chambers carved directly into limestone, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a decent combination: medieval architecture above ground, ancient history below.
The main gate to Mdina — the approach to Malta's walled medieval city
The Mdina streets and palaces
The city itself is compact. You can walk from the main gate to the far end in about 15 minutes, but a guided tour slows you down deliberately, pointing out details you'd miss alone. The tour covers the Cathedral, the palaces with their ornate doorways, the narrow streets designed in the medieval period to confuse attackers. Some streets are so narrow you can touch both walls at once. The views from the city walls across the Maltese countryside and towards Valletta in the distance are well worth pausing for.
- Allow time at the Cathedral — the interior is grand, the floor is marble grave markers
- The Palazzo Falson has period rooms and a medieval courtyard if you want to go inside
- The views from the ramparts over the central plains of Malta are better than photos suggest
St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat
The real draw for many visitors is the catacombs, just outside Mdina in Rabat. These aren't Egyptian-style monumental chambers — they're intimate, carved into limestone when Malta was a Roman province. Early Christians used them as burial chambers and places of worship, cutting chambers and connecting passageways by hand. You descend into a labyrinth of narrow tunnels and small rooms. It's cool, slightly eerie, and genuinely moving to stand in spaces where people were buried two thousand years ago.
- The catacombs can be claustrophobic — there are tight passages and low ceilings
- Wear comfortable shoes and a light jacket (it's cool underground)
- Photography is usually restricted, so bring a sense of the place rather than photos
- A guide explains the significance and layout — don't skip the commentary
The catacombs remind you that Malta wasn't always a holiday destination — it was a crossroads where Romans, Christians, Arabs, and Normans left their mark.
Getting there and crowds
Mdina is inland, roughly 40 minutes by bus from Sliema and St Julian's where Livensea apartments are based. A guided tour typically includes transport (often a minibus pickup), which saves you figuring out the buses. The Silent City is quiet year-round, even in summer, which is genuine — the narrow streets and lack of seafront attractions keep most visitors away. Go on a weekday if possible; weekends do see tour groups, but it's still far less crowded than Valletta.
Woman sitting on clifftop overlooking dramatic Mediterranean sea cliffs with azure water below
Practical info
The tour operates year-round, though summer can be hot walking the limestone streets at midday. Morning tours (8–9 am starts) are better for this reason. Free cancellation is usually available up to 24 hours before. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Comfortable walking shoes are essential — the streets are uneven and steep in places. Many tours include a lunch stop in Rabat if you book the longer option. The tour rating is 4.8 stars across 1,320+ reviews.
Check availability for Mdina & Rabat walking tours
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
Most half-day tours are 2.5–3 hours, including the catacombs. Full-day options with lunch run 4–5 hours.
Is the catacomb visit claustrophobic?
There are low ceilings and tight passages in parts, so if you have severe claustrophobia, it may be uncomfortable. But they're not labyrinthine — passages are short, and you can always turn back.
Can I do this without a guide?
Yes, but a guide genuinely adds value. The history is dense, and the catacombs especially benefit from expert explanation. The transport is also included with most tour packages, which saves hassle from Sliema.
What's the dress code?
Casual comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. The catacombs are cool (about 20°C), so a light jacket is useful. Church dress codes apply if entering the Cathedral — shoulders and knees should be covered.
Is there food nearby?
Rabat has cafés and restaurants for lunch. Some tour packages include a meal; if not, budget €10–15 for something simple. Mdina has fewer options but does have a café or two.