Rabat Things to Do Tips by Elly01 Top 5 Page for this destination

Mdina

Look at the Architecture in Rabat

As you can see there are some very nice houses and buildings with antique and historic architecture.

Is-Stazzjon cafeteria!

Walking down in the moat of Mdina, that is, in the car park - if you turn down walking downwards towards the steep down hill : - it is very nice for walking. If you keep going and you pass over the bridge you will come to Mtarfa which is a small village opposite Rabat. However before that you will see what was once a railway station.

Is-Stazzjon meaning in English station was once a railway station where the train used to stop to pick up and take passengers to Valletta the capital city. Today there is only the place where the train used to stop this is why its is called Is-Stazzjon. This cafeteria can be enjoyed both in Winter (as they have large indoor premises) and even in Summer (outdoor premises with umbrellas to provide shade in the hot Summer).

Here they serve home made cakes and pastries. One should their 'pastizzi' (cheesecakes) as they are not done the usual way that is as the local pastizz is made.

Address: Beneath Mdina

Directions: Rabat

Verdala Castle

This castle is not far away from Mdina and its the summer seat of Grandmaster De la Verdale, and the summer seat of the Inquisitor, a palace built in 1625. The castle is surrounded with beautiful trees and fruit gardens. Just below it there is Buskett Forest which is amazing to go for long walks and picnics.

Today Verdala Palace is being used by the President as a Summer residence.

Address: Rabat

Museum of Roman Antiques (Roman Villa)

This stands on the remains of a Roman town house, although its is often errosneously called 'Villa'. Within the remains fo thsi 'villa' the most wonderfully preserved mosaics were discovered around the 1881. To protect these exquisite mosaics, the present house was constructed around them. The house is also used to display many other findings from Roman times, and is open to the public.

Address: Rabat

A view you cannot miss out on & Fontanella !

On visiting Mdina in Rabat don;t forget to go on the edge of the bastions and see the view that there is. One nice and relaxing thing you can do is go to Fontanella which is a tea garden. Here you can relax in front of this amazing view. Here they serve tea, coffee, soft drinks, ice-cream, sandwiches, snacks, pizza and loads of nice cakes. My favorite are the chocolate cake and the strawberry meringue !

Address: Mdina - Rabat

Visit the catacombs of St.Paul & St. Agatha

In Rabat outside Mdina you can visit the catacombs of St.Paul which were an underground burial place dating back to the 4th & 5th century. The catacombs are outside the previous Roman walls, as no burials were permitted within them. Then there is the church which was orginally built in 1572 and redesigned and enlarged in the 17th Cnetury. The altar painting inside the church is by Mattia Preti. Attached to St.Paul's church one can also see St.Paul's Grotto. According to early traditions and to the St.Luke, Paul found shelter in this grotto after his boat got shipwrecked and contains many sacred art and frescos of considerable value.

Then there are St. Agatha's catacombs and the church. According to the legend these served as an hiding place when St. Agatha fled from persecution of the roman Emperor Decius (AD 249). Here you can see really ancient frescos even dated back from the 11th Century.

Address: Rabat

Directions: Quite close to the Roman Villa and outside Mdina

An epic adventure through 1000 Years of Chivalry

The knights of Malta's epic adventure experience is a place not to be missed. Here you will discover the Great Siege's (1565) events. Foreign Language commentaries are made available.

Address: Mdina - Rabat

Directions: 14/19, Casa Magazzini, Magazines Street, Mdina, Malta

Phone: & fax 356 21 451342

The Mdina Dungeons

The Mdina Dungeons consists of Medieval dungeon chambers which go back in the times of the Romans, Arabs, Knights and even Napolean. Wander at your pace and discover horror and the mysterious of the dark past.

Opening Hours:-

Everday between 9.30am - 5.30pm

Address: Mdina - Rabat

Directions: Just beside Mdina Gate, beneath the Magisterial Villhena Palace.

Phone: 356 21 450267

The Mdina Experience - Audio Visual Spectacular!

When visiting Mdina don;t forget to visit the Mdina Experience as this will be a good introduction to the 'silent city' as it is called today. You cannot enter Mdina with your car so the best thing is to park your car outside and walk it in. The audio visual spectacular will take you through time and you will re-live the tragedies and triumphs brought to life before you. This is ideal for all the family and is showen in various languages!

The place also has a coffee shop and also a gift shop offering a vast selection of souvenirs.

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri 10.30 - 16.00hrs

Sat:- 103.0 - 14.00 hrs

Address: 7, Mesquita Square, Valletta

Directions: Take bus numbers 80 and 81 from Valletta

Other Contact: Fax 356 21450060

Phone: 356 21454322 0r 21450055