Mdina, Malta

What I did and saw:
Mdina Gate and old city-
Mdina is a charming old city that is fun to wander around. It is very well preserved and was even featured in season 1 of the Game of Thrones series. The city is fairly small, and it can easily be explored in a day.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul-
While it may not be quite as grand, intricate, and impressive as other cathedrals such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, or the Kolner Dom in Cologne, it is still worth checking out. The 12th century cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt at the end of the 17th century. It is said to have been visited by the Apostle Paul after his shipwreck in Malta. Although Mdina is not a coastal city, Malta is a very small island and Mdina is historically an important city, so it is likely that Paul at least spent some time somewhere within the old city.

Where I ate and drank:
Fontanella Tea Garden-
If you are looking for tasty treats or drinks with a view, the Fontanella Tea Garden is a great spot to check out. The views were excellent, and although there is not an extensive amount of healthy food on the menu, they do offer some very tasty treats. Located within the old city walls, it is definitely worth checking out.

Chalk Cafe-
Chalk Cafe is a cozy spot located outside the city walls. It is a great place to grab lunch, a snack, or a just a drink. They offer some very good local food and drink, and it is a nice place to catch a break.

Where I stayed and how I got around:
I visited Mdina via public bus on a day trip from St. Julian’s on Malta’s northern coast, where I stayed at Luma Residence. I would typically prefer to take a train over a bus, but Malta does not have much of a train system. However, because it is such a small island, the bus journeys from city to city are fairly short.

My favorite thing:
The old city was fun to wander around, and I really enjoyed the snack, drink, and view from the Fontanella Tea Garden.

My least favorite thing:
Mdina is a very historic, charming city, but it is also very small. It is a great option for a day trip.

For next time:
Next time in Mdina I would be interested in checking out the dungeons and more of the history of the city, including St. Paul’s Catacombs, where the Apostle is believed to be buried.