There are many ways to visit Valletta’s sinister predecessor Mdina. The old capital is one of the most historical locations in Malta and an up and coming hub for luxury. The city is secluded and isolated. Approaching it, you can see it from afar, a small island of limestone buildings lit in a yellow light. You might wish to visit Malta from an alternative perspective. A Mdina holiday can be so diverse that it’s suited for any type of tourist. Here are the many different ways to vacation in Mdina.
Where to stay
The start to any good vacation is the right hotel. The trademark of a good hotel is a good view, beautiful interior and a central location. Luckily Mdina is so small that anything is a walk away, so the location is taken care of. As for the view and interior, you want to ensure the correct ambiance. Our suggestion, an on-the-rise trend, is a boutique hotel.
Palazzo Bifora Boutique Hotel, for example, is luxurious yet quiet and intimate. The entire experience is lavish, starting from your booking. When visiting, you choose your room by name: would you like to stay in the Sofia, Aragona, perhaps the Mesquita? Because of the size of the hotel, your needs are always attended to by the staff. And if you book using the code “lovemalta”, you will also receive a 5% discount for your stay. Now, what type of vacation will you choose?
A Sight Seeing Holiday
For the tourist who wants to see everything, a tour around the landmarks will do best. The Mdina Main Gate should naturally be your starting point. Take a look at the Baroque design of it. The decadence of it is a theme that you’ll be seeing often in Mdina. Like at the Mdina Metropolitan Cathedral Museum, just opposite your next stop, the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Paul.
Another must see in the city is the City Walls, or fortifications. These defensive structures were originally built to protect the town. And they have done a good job, protecting Mdina through various settler cultures like the Phoenicians and the Romans. Next to the walls, you can stroll in the beautiful Mdina Ditch Garden. The garden was restored to the neat, walkable area it is today. It used to have almost 300 trees before!
Naturally, for the sight-see-er, you may want to explore outside of Mdina too. Taking a Hop On, Hop Off bus that stops in Mdina seems like your best option. Get your tickets in advance at iseemalta.
A Historical Holiday
For the history buff, there’s almost too much to do! Naturally, every cobble-stoned street of Mdina is bursting with historical episodes. Still, one of the main things you’ll want to check out is from an era of the town dating back to the 1200s. The Noble families’ palazzos. Notoriously difficult to get into, these houses are filled with winding staircases and art worth a fortune. The descendants of these Noble families still own these palazzos!
Another fun historical location are the old Jewish spots. Streets, ex-synagogues and more are famous in Mdina as the city used to be the home of a good fraction of Maltese Jews!
An Instagrammable Holiday
If your cup of tea is taking photos and finding scenic routes, check out some viewpoints in the city. Try the Mdina Fortress Viewpoint or the Mdina Observation Deck to see just how beautiful Malta is from its heart. You can also go to the top floor of the Palazzo Bifora Hotel, where besides a very instagrammable restaurant and rooftop pool, you will get a good look of all of Mdina. If you are a movie lover, hunt down some filming locations for Game of Thrones. Try Pjazza Mesquita or simply the Main Gate!
A Holiday For the Foodie
Finally, here’s what to do if you’re a foodie. There are countless concept restaurants in this small city. These range from classic Maltese food to more luxury and gourmet. Some are inside caves, some in old railway stations.
But as we mentioned before, a restaurant you cannot miss is Lumiere Restaurant by Palazzo Bifora. Not only is the interior breathtaking, it is a very private experience. It seats only a handful of people and has rooftop seating as well. The menu is highly luxurious gastronomy and the service is specified to each visitor. There are definitely some social media-worthy dishes in there. If you manage not to eat them for long enough to take a picture, that is!
