2. Mdina: Full-Day Tour with Lunch
This tour is ideal for those guests who want to visit and experience some of Malta’s most interesting highlights in just one day, carefully designed to make your day truly memorable. Start by visiting the ancient Medieval city of Mdina, renowned for its palaces and fortifications, medieval and baroque architecture, and ancient heritage.
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.
Leaving Mdina through the ‘Greeks Gate’, proceed towards St. Cataldus Catacombs, located in Rabat, on the outskirts of Mdina. This site represents some of the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.
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!
After lunch you will visit the San Anton Botanical Gardens in Attard, where the president of Malta has his official residence in the palace that adjoins the public gardens. These beautiful gardens were built in the early 17th century and provide several pathways surrounded by fountains and ponds which are inhabited by families of ducks, swans, peacocks, peahens and turtles and also encompass a large variety of trees and flowers from around the world, some of them over three centuries old.
The tour then proceeds to the famous crafts village of Ta' Qali, where traditional glass blowers, potters, and jewellers can be admired at work, forming elaborate glass art pieces using the ancient glassblowing technique. With a vast selection of genuine goods made by local artisans and craftsmen such as paintings, Maltese lace, gold, silver and filigree jewellery, leather goods, furniture, ceramics, and ornamental glass, this is the perfect place to pick up some truly genuine locally made souvenirs that will remind you of your visit to Malta.
The tour ends with a visit to the Mosta Church, commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta or the Mosta Dome. Built in the 19th century and modelled on Rome's Pantheon, it has one of the largest unsupported domes in the world.