2026 Rabat Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Creating memories by recreating movie scenes. Have fun in Malta😍 because I did! First girls’ trip ever! Here are 5 things you must do in Malta and ENJOY! 1. Eat like a local in Mdina (with a cinematic twist 🍳) Go for brunch at Fontanella Tea Garden—famous for its cakes, views, and location inside the old capital. Mdina was used as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, so you’re literally eating inside a film set. 2. Recreate iconic scenes 🎬 Walk through Mdina’s gates (you’ll recognize them instantly if you’ve watched GoT). Channel your inner Daenerys Targaryen or just film a slow, aesthetic walk—this place does half the work for you. 3. Explore a fish market + souvenir hunt 🐟 Visit the Sunday market in Marsaxlokk. Yes, there’s fresh seafood—but also handmade, super cute Maltese souvenirs (lace, ceramics, little boats). It’s way more authentic than tourist shops. 4. Night walk in Sliema 🌙 Stroll along the promenade in Sliema at night—city lights, calm sea, and a soft breeze. It’s the “main character alone but thriving” vibe. 5. Then what? → Sunset + hidden swim spot 💎 Head to St. Peter’s Pool. Cliff jumping, crystal-clear water, golden sunset—it’s one of those places that doesn’t feel real. Perfect way to end the day. #travel2026 #travel #Malta

#TravelGuide #MaltaTravel If you feel like leaving Mdina alone is a bit lacking, be sure to also visit nearby Rabat.💕 The two cities are connected like a series of interconnected alleyways, and as you walk, the boundaries blur. During the day, it has a quiet, local atmosphere, and it's safe even at night, making it a great place for a late-night stroll. 🫶🏼 📍 Rabat, Malta 🚍 How to get to Rabat from Valletta ~ Take bus numbers 51, 52, or 53 (approximately 30-40 minutes) ~ Get off at "Rabat Interchange" or "Mdina" ~ A 1-2-minute walk from the Mdina gates ~ Perfect for a day trip from Mdina to Rabat 🧭 Places to Visit in Rabat ✔️ St. Paul's Catacombs ~ An underground maze of cemeteries dating back to the early Christian era ✔️ St. Paul's Church ~ The inner cathedral and underground chapel ✔️ Stroll through lesser-known alleyways ~ A quiet alley where locals live, perfect for recharging your senses ✔️ Grotto Tavern, a Michelin-starred cave restaurant ~ Enjoy a dinner with a relaxed atmosphere (reservations required) 📌 Rabat Travel Tips ~ It's definitely quieter and less crowded than Mdina. It's a great place to take a leisurely stroll and stop by a local bakery or cafe. We recommend visiting indoor attractions like the Catacombs before 4 PM. Michelin-starred restaurants are dinner-only and open after 6 PM. If you're looking for a quiet, local vibe during your trip to Malta, Rabat is the perfect place to catch your breath. ⭐️ It's a shame to leave without seeing Mdina after all this tranquility. 🫶🏼

📍 Malta Michelin Restaurant Grotto Tavern An 80-euro 5-course dinner in an underground cave in Rabat, offering an ambiance and service that truly embody Michelin fine dining✨ ✨ Location & Reservation Tips ✔️ Located in Rabat, Malta, just a 5-minute walk from Mdina Gate ✔️ Operating hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (until 11:00 PM on weekends), closed on Thursdays ✔️ Reservations available via Google Maps (cave dining requires prior booking & a set course menu) ✔️ Parking available at the free public parking lot in Mdina 💡 If you're planning to visit Grotto Tavern: ~ Bring a jacket, as it's cool even in the height of summer‼️ ~ The lighting is dim, so photos may not turn out well🙄 ~ Internet doesn't work inside the cave, so keep that in mind ~ You can also explore the WWII-era air raid shelter👍🏻 Perfect for special occasions, ambiance, and unique dining experiences💕

#winterescape Step into Rabat’s sun-drenched charm ☀️🌿—where culture meets history in the heart of Malta! Marvel at Western-style churches, lush outdoor landscapes, and a hint of sea breeze in the air. Start your adventure at the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (V9J4+52P, l-Imtaħleb, Ir-Rabat, Malta). Wander around the picturesque façade for insta-worthy shots—a prime angle: capture the intricate architectural details with the Mediterranean sky as your backdrop. The church’s calm surroundings make for great solo or contemplative photos, especially with old trees framing the entrance. Don't miss a candid snap of your bracelet against the wooden tabletop—a personalized travel memento that tells its own story. Must-do: Step inside and soak up the tranquil ambiance. Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful Western-style interior and light streaming through stained glass windows, creating perfect natural-light portraits. Tips: Visit in the morning for softer sunlight and fewer visitors; the area is at its best on sunny days for photography and strolls. If you’re keen on deeper exploration, bring a notebook to jot down impressions as the architecture and landscapes inspire. Precautions: The church is a sacred space—dress modestly and respect local customs. Some paths around the church are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes! Especially in summer, carry water and sunscreen for the Maltese heat. #Rabat #Malta #CulturalTravel #ArchitectureLover #SunnyDays

I began my exploration of Malta in Rabat, which flows into the old capital of Malta, Mdina. These two cities are essentially one, but in Malta the separation between the cities is very relative. So, after a light rain, around 10:00 PM, the city was completely empty. It was simply luxurious to stroll around, with ancient streets with famous Maltese balconies and silence. #Malta #Rabat

#falladventures #familytravel #travel #museums Visited here with our tour group. 3 important things to see here. I particularly wanted to visit St. Paul's Grotto. St. Paul was shipwrecked and spent about 3 months here preaching about Christianity. This is the origin of Christianity in Malta. Secondly, you can walk thru the maze of tunnels with catacombs. Very eerie. Thirdly, you can travel thru the underground tunnels housing the multitude of WWII air raid shelters. Very tiny shelters for the number of people and length of time spent here.

#falladventures #travel January 2024- Located in front of a square is the church of the Grotto of St. Paul. We only admired the exterior as there was a funeral celebration and we did not want to disturb. This building replaces the previous church and was financed by a noblewoman, it was finished in 1693 baroque masterpiece of Cafà. On the top facade stands the beautiful stained glass window depicting Jesus placed above the main door. It would have deserved to be visited the interior as well.

#falladventures #familytravel We travelled from Valletta to Rabat by bus in order to visit Rabat and Mdina, and decided to try the train ride as we thought it might be good fun. As well as being very enjoyable, it was also very informative and we saw much more than if we had just explored on foot. The train was easy to find, being close to the bus stop just outside the walls of Mdina. The cost was 6 euros per adult which I thought was good value considering the quality and length of the tour.

#falladventures #familytravel Not to be missed. A beautifully preserved 16th century residence and a cultural journey of almost 90 minutes into the life of the family and the island. Mrs. Josette, an exquisite and multilingual person, accompanied us in the history of the house and its family, through rooms richly furnished with objects and works of art, some of them of great value, of local or European origin. The rooms are cozy and Josette knows interesting anecdotes about everything on display. Wonderful also the internal garden. Definitely the most immersive visit made to Malta.

#falladventures #thingstodo The boat is comfortable and spacious. We paid for Club Class and there is lots of room, but the passengers are awful. They are loud, playing personal devices at full volume without headphones. The riders of the NYC subway are more considerate of fellow passengers. What I thought would be a relaxing sail from Sicily to Malta is proving to get extremely aggravating! The tour leaves very early in the morning, which was fine with us. We bought the upgraded seats both ways, and it was worth it --- a nearly empty seating area and priority boarding (going). Once you get to Sicily, you meet the guide near the bus. The woman guide was extremely good (originally from Brooklyn!) and the driver was just as good. You get a nice amount of time at Mt. Etna and it's a cool place to visit. Taormina, on the other hand, is a real waste of time, at least for us. We toured on Sunday, and it was PACKED. I'll compare it to Santorini on a busy day (which is every day). The bus parks off-site and you're transferred by another bus, which you have to take back to the tour bus. The wait for the return bus was ridiculous. People pushing and shoving their way to the front of the line and no one to stop them. It was utter chaos. It was a nice day, but the best part was Etna.

#falladventures #familytravel #travel The tower of Sant’Agata also called the red tower is located in the northern part of the island. It is a large red building with a square base and on every corner has its own tower. its task was to control and defend the island. From here there is a fantastic view of both the island of Gozo and Comino and the island countryside. Easily accessible by car, if you are passing through it is worth a visit. Lovely little trip. Broke up the day. Stayed a couple of hours. Very informative and volunteers were really lovely with my children. An absolute steal!! €2.50 for adults and children under 12 free!! They should charge more. Stunning views from the roof, but low walls so we didn't stay long on the roof with our wild toddler. Up a steep hill and lots of steps so could be difficult for someone who had mobility issues (we carried a pram up the stairs and the volunteers looked after it for us).

#falladventures #familytravel #travel If you want a bit of dramatic photography, the catacombs are a must! You descend from ground level via a set of steps that wouldn’t look out of place in a horror film. The catacombs are vast and in true non Health & Safety fashion, you can squeeze into many tiny areas to see the different parts of the underground network. There is a small museum but it would have been excellent if there had been a tour that told you more as I don’t feel I got the true history of the place. Not one for small children or people who aren’t great on their feet.

When you hear of Rabat, everyone thinks of Morocco, well did you know there's a hidden gem in Malta?

Celebrating Christmas with colleagues may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it can be a lot of fun to let your hair down and get to know your colleagues in a more informal setting. With free food and wine flowing and free entertainment, it could be a fun time. #celebrateit #christmas #christmasparty

#christmastrip Ir-Rabat, located on the charming island of Malta, offers a rich tapestry of history and culture within its compact streets. Stepping into the heart of this town feels like entering a living museum. The Mdina, a medieval fortress city within Ir-Rabat, stands as a testament to Malta's storied past. Encircled by towering bastions, its narrow cobblestone streets lead to architectural wonders like St. Paul's Cathedral. The cathedral's intricate frescoes and impressive architecture provide a glimpse into the island's religious heritage. Wandering through Ir-Rabat's labyrinthine streets reveals a blend of Arab, Norman, and Baroque influences. The quaint houses adorned with wooden balconies exude a timeless charm. The town's main square, Pjazza San Pawl, bustles with local life, offering a chance to savor traditional Maltese cuisine in cozy cafes. The catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha add a touch of mystery to Ir-Rabat's allure. These underground burial sites, carved into the limestone, provide a haunting yet fascinating insight into the island's ancient burial rituals. For a breath of fresh air, the beautiful Saqqajja Hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Mediterranean Sea. The serene Wignacourt Museum, housed in a historic Baroque building, showcases Malta's artistic heritage. Ir-Rabat's proximity to Mdina means visitors can seamlessly transition between the two, creating a captivating journey through Malta's past. Whether exploring ancient catacombs, savoring local delicacies, or marveling at centuries-old architecture, Ir-Rabat unfolds as a living storybook, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in Malta's captivating history.

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center of the beauty #2023travelwish

1. Address - Basilica Kolleġġjata u Proto-Parroċċa ta' San Pawl Highlights - the Basilica lies in the heart of Rabat and very beautiful from the outside as pictured in the cover photo. A must visit. Rating - 5/5 2. Address - St Paul's Catacombs Highlights - not far from the Basilica, this ancient Roman style cemetery complex features an early Christianity archeology with undergrounds and tombs Rating - 5/5 3. Address - Greeks Gate Highlights - the iconic Greeks Gate separates the two cities Rabat from Mdina. An iconic spot for Instagram pictures Rating - 4.5/5 IG: @travellerswill #awesomepic #summervacation #passionpassport #tripblazers #beachlife