This half-day excursion explores three of Malta’s most iconic sites: San Anton Gardens, Rabat and the fortified city of Mdina. Accompanied by a licensed English-speaking guide, the tour offers insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of each location. The experience begins in Attard, home to San Anton Palace, built in the early 17th century as a country residence for Antoine de Paule, a knight of the Order of St. John, and today the official residence of the President of Malta.
Surrounding the palace are the extensive San Anton Gardens, open to the public since 1882 and known for their elegant paths, shaded walkways and diverse plant life. The tour continues toward Rabat, a town whose name derives from the Arabic word for “suburb”, as it once served as the outlying district of the ancient capital, Mdina.
Rabat is home to the renowned St. Paul’s Catacombs, with entrance included on this excursion. These underground burial sites date back to Roman times, when it was prohibited to bury the dead within city walls. According to tradition and biblical accounts, part of the complex marks the place where St. Paul stayed for three months after being shipwrecked on the island in 60 A.D.
The final stop is Mdina, Malta’s former capital from antiquity through the medieval period. Still enclosed within its original walls and home to fewer than 300 residents, Mdina preserves its timeless medieval atmosphere. The city is listed on UNESCO’s tentative list and is one of Malta’s most visited attractions, offering quiet streets, historical charm and remarkable views that capture the essence of the island’s past.