Join us on this fascinating guided tour of Mdina, Dingli Cliffs, and San Anton Botanical Gardens, carefully designed to make your experience truly memorable. We start by visiting the ancient mediaeval city of Mdina, renowned for its opulent palaces and fortifications, mediaeval and baroque architecture, and ancient heritage. This majestic city, also known as Città Vecchia (the Old City) or Città Notabile (the Noble City), is unquestionably one of the island's most evocative destinations.
Serving as the island's capital city from antiquity until the mediaeval 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 mediaeval streets. Take a journey back in time, admiring the magnificent palazzos and churches in the city’s unique mix of mediaeval and baroque styles, as well as the spectacular panoramas from the high bastion walls.
Leaving Mdina through the ‘Greeks Gate’ we 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 as its backdrop are truly breath-taking! Given their impressive height, the cliffs can be considered natural forts since no attacker can approach the island from the west. Perched on the edge, marking the highest point on the Maltese islands, is a gorgeous, tiny chapel built in 1646, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene.
We end our tour 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 that 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, our knowledgeable and experienced guides will provide you with riveting information and enhance your experience through narration and engaging storytelling.