Mdina By Night

It's a given that everyone should, and most people do, visit Mdina by day because it is a magical, beautiful place! But we have gone into that in more detail elsewhere. What we are looking at here is how the ‘Silent City’ changes and becomes a different but equally attractive proposition for the tourist once the curtain of night has descended.

Clearly, all the museums and attractions will be closed after the sun has set and disappeared below the horizon. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid a visit to this stunning fortified city in the dark because what disappears with the sun is the tourists, making the Silent City really live up to its name and making a nocturnal trip here very much worth the effort! But you need to know what to do.

So, now the important stuff! To make your nocturnal trip a truly memorable occasion, you need to go prepared. So pack a few goodies in a bag – a bottle of wine, some cheese, bread, maybe some nibbles, olives, crackers and cake – and head towards the far end of the city. There you will find the bastions, which overlook large parts of Malta and by day provide arguably the best views on the island. 


Climb up on top, break open the wine and enjoy one of the most memorable picnics you are ever likely to have. Lie back and look at the stars as you let your mind wander – but just be careful not to let your body wander as the drop down the other side would cause some serious injury! And it is dark, remember. 


In our experience, the best time to visit Mdina at night is when it’s close to, or when there is a full moon, as the added light helps to bring the entire city to life. The picture we have painted may sound ideal for romantic couples but what if you are past all that, or you have some smaller people to entertain? 


Well, Mdina by night is a rewarding trip for people of all ages. Just have a quiet wander around the city’s silent streets and enjoy the peace. Or, see if you can spot any of the many ghosts that are believed to inhabit the buildings.

For example, you may come across one house near the bastions with pretty flowers outside.
 This part is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a knight who killed himself after the woman that lived there rejected him. It is said you can sometimes see his shadow on the balcony from where he plunged to his death! Woooo!


Getting to this must-see city is easy, with buses leaving regularly throughout the day from Valletta and Sliema. Just be careful you don’t miss the last bus back as Mdina is fairly remote for Malta.

Alternatively, if you have a car, take a quick look at your map before setting off. Having said that, due to its touristic importance, Mdina is very well signposted on all major roads so you’d have to be a staggeringly inept as negotiating yourself around the island, or very short-sighted to miss it! It’s that attractive looking place at the top of a big hill!