Greeks Gate, Mdina

Cave tours

Experience some of Malta's most interesting highlights in just one day on a guided group tour. Discover the medieval city of Mdina, St. Cataldus Catacombs, and Mosta Rotunda. Stroll through the San Anton Botanical Gardens, take in sea views from Dingli Cliffs, and buy glass from local craftspeople. After hotel pickup, start your tour with the ancient city of Mdina, renowned for its opulent palaces, fortifications, architecture, and ancient heritage. Stroll through the narrow streets of the island's old capital, taking in one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled/fortified city. Take a journey back in time, as the streets have not changed much in the last 1,000 years. Admire the magnificent palazzos and churches in the city's unique mix of medieval and Baroque styles, as well as the spectacular panoramas from the high bastion walls. Leave Mdina through the Greeks Gate. Head to St. Cataldus Catacombs, in Rabat, on the outskirts of Mdina. Discover the catacombs, which were originally a Punic burial shaft, and some of the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. See graves that are beautiful examples of canopied tombs and others hewn in the rocks. Continue to Dingli Cliffs, off the village of Dingli on Malta's western coast, the highest point of the Maltese island at around 253m above sea level. Enjoy breathtaking views over the terraced fields underneath and the panorama of the vast open seas with the small uninhabited island of Filfla. After lunch, visit the San Anton Botanical Gardens, built in the early 17th century by Grand Master Antoine de Paule to complement his summer residence: San Anton Palace, located at the perimeter of the gardens, now serving as the residence of the Maltese President. Next, stop at the Ta' Qali Craft Village, a former British Royal Air Forces wartime airfield restored into a local artisan hub. Watch local craftsmen form elaborate glass art using ancient glassblowing techniques. Get some genuine locally made mementos to remind you of your visit to Malta. End your tour with Malta's largest church, the Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, commonly known as the Mosta Rotunda or Mosta Dome. Built between 1833 and the 1860s to Neoclassical designs, the present church is based on the Pantheon in Rome. Discover its dome, the third largest unsupported dome in the world. Finally, return to your hotel.

Mdina, once the capital city of Malta, has had many names throughout its history, but its medieval name describes it best: "Città Notabile" - the noble city. Built on a plateau in the center of the island, its baroque cathedral and magnificent bastions dominate the skyline. A stroll through its narrow streets, which have not changed much in the last 1,000 years, is a must for any visitor to Malta. The area occupied by Mdina has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age. The Phoenicians and Romans established their own settlements here, but the modern name and layout of the city reflect Arab rule before the Normans firmly established it as the country's capital. Although the construction of Valletta lessened its importance, a strong earthquake in 1693 led to reconstruction and a revival of the city. Since that time, Mdina has changed very little. Walk past the most notable sites in Mdina, including Vilhena Palace, St. Agatha’s Chapel, the Banca Giuratale, the Mdina Cathedral, and much more. During this tour we will visit Rabat. While in Rabat we enter Wignacourt museum and visit: WW2 Shelters, Catacombs and St. Paul's Grotto. Entrance ticket included.

You start by visiting the ancient Medieval city of Mdina, renowned for its opulent palaces and fortifications, medieval and baroque architecture, and ancient heritage. This majestic city is unquestionably one of the island's most evocative destinations. Serving as the island's capital city from antiquity till the medieval period, Mdina is truly an enchanting city! A stroll through its narrow streets, which have not changed much in the last 1000 years, is a must for anyone visiting the Maltese islands. It is undoubtedly one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled/fortified city. Explore this historic city with an experienced local guide and delve into the rich past of the city as you explore its medieval streets. Take a journey back in time admiring the magnificent palazzos and churches in the city’s unique mix of medieval and baroque styles, as well as the spectacular panoramas from the high bastion walls. Leaving Mdina through the ‘Greeks Gate’ you proceed to Dingli Cliffs, located off the village of Dingli on Malta’s western coast, at around 253 metres above sea-level. These cliffs represent the highest point of the Maltese islands. The cliffs propose a majestic sight; the views overlooking the terraced fields underneath and the panorama of the vast open seas with the uninhabited small island of Filfla on its backdrop, are truly breath-taking! Given their impressive height the cliffs can be considered as natural forts, since no attacker can approach the island from the west. The tour ends with a visit to the San Anton Botanical Gardens, located in the village of Attard. These beautiful gardens were built in the early 17th century by Grand Master Antoine de Paule to complement his summer residence; San Anton Palace, which is located at the perimeter of the gardens and which today serves as the residence of the Maltese President. Open to the public since 1882 the gardens have several pathways surrounded by fountains and ponds which are inhabited by families of ducks, swans, peacocks, peahens and turtles and encompass a large variety of trees and flowers from around the world, including a variety of palm trees, cypress, jacarandas, araucarias and other exotic plants, some of them over three centuries old. During the whole tour knowledgeable and experienced guides will be providing you with riveting information and enhance your experience through narration and engaging storytelling.