Essentials
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets
- City
- Mdina, Northern Region, Malta (The Silent City)
- Population
- Approximately 250
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-200 Mbps via Melita or GO fiber optics
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR), 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: BOV, HSBC Malta
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink but high mineral content; most locals prefer filtered or bottled water
- SIM Card
- Epic, GO, and Melita. Data plans approx. €20 for 10GB-20GB
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut is widely used; local options include MeDirect or BNF Bank
- Accommodation
- Boutique heritage hotels and high-end Airbnb townhouses inside the walls
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere; some small souvenir stalls may prefer cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Perry Estate Agents
- Budget Accommodation
- Very limited in Mdina; nearby Rabat offers 'My Travel House' from €60/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Inside fixed Mdina walls for history; Rabat (just outside) for convenience
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Rabat (suburb of Mdina) for better amenities, grocery stores, and long-term rates
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- SOHO Office Space (The Strand/Sliema - 25 min bus); none inside Mdina
- Best Cafe for Work
- Fontanella Tea Garden (Upper levels during off-peak) or Crystal Palace in Rabat
- Networking Events
- Silicon Valletta tech meetups; Malta Digital Nomad Association events in St. Julian's
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Malta Facebook Group; Friday night drinks at The Beer Cave (Valletta)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt, Uber, and eCabs (Price Mdina to Valletta approx. €15-€20)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Nextbike stations located at the Rabat/Mdina interchange
- Best Beach Nearby
- Golden Bay or Riviera Sans (Għajn Tuffieħa), approx. 15 mins by car
- Top Regional Airline
- KM Malta Airlines (formerly Air Malta)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (hub in Malta), Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines
- Highway Access
- Accessible via the Triq L-Imdina main arterial road
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Rabat Interchange (Bus Hub connecting to Valletta, Bugibba, and the Airport)
- Public Transport Passes
- Tallinja Card; Explore Card (€21 for 7 days unlimited travel)
- Regional Travel
- Bus routes 51, 52, 53 to Valletta; Route 202 to Sliema; X3 to Airport
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Mater Dei Hospital (Msida, 15-20 mins away); DaVinci Health (Birkirkara)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Lotus Yoga Malta (Rabat); specialized sessions at Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Challenger Gym (Qormi/Rabat area) approx. €45/month
- Laundry Services
- Self-service laundry 'Lavender' in nearby Attard or Rabat town center
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Bolt Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Stuffat tal-Fenek (Rabbit Stew) or Pastizzi from Crystal Palace (Serkin)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Coals in Rabat; The Fork and Cork (Vegetarian friendly high-end dining)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Fontanella Tea Garden - famous for Chocolate Cake (€4.50 per slice)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pavi Supermarket (Qormi) or various 'Tal-Lira' shops for household items
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.de (shipping to Malta), Maltashopper.it (IKEA delivery)
- Grocery Delivery
- Greens Supermarket or Maltasupermarket.com
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Mdina is quiet at night; head to Paceville (St. Julian's) for clubs
- Local Brewery
- Lord Chambray (Gozo-based, sold in Rabat bars) or Farsons (Cisk)
- Wine Bars
- Vinum Wine Bar & Bistro (Mdina) - overlooking the bastions
- Street Food Stalls
- Crystal Palace in Rabat - Pastizzi sold for €0.50 each
- Popular International Cuisine
- Trattoria AD 1530 (Mediterranean/Italian) inside Mdina
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mdina Gate (Game of Thrones filming location), St. Paul's Cathedral
- Museums & Art Venues
- Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, National Museum of Natural History
- Historical Sites
- Mdina Dungeons, Domvs Romana (just outside the gate)
- Religious Sites
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul
- Annual Events
- Mdina Grand Prix (Classic cars in October), Medieval Mdina Festival (May)
- Cultural Districts
- The entire citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Tentative site
- Theater Venues
- Teatru Manoel (Valletta - 20 mins away)
- Local Markets
- Rabat Sunday morning market (agricultural and household goods)
- Music Scene
- Classical recitals within the Cathedral; Jazz at nearby festivals in summer
- Street Art
- Minimal in the silent city; more prevalent in Msida/Sliema
- Cooking Classes
- The Mediterranean Culinary Academy (Valletta/Naxxar locations)
- Art Galleries
- The Mdina Gallery on St. Agatha's Esplanade
- Historic Buildings
- Banca Giuratale, Palazzo Santa Sofia
- Local Heritage
- Ghall-Glorja t'Alla (For the glory of God) banners during village festas
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Chadwick Lakes (Wied il-Qlejgħa) - best after rainfall in March
- National Parks Nearby
- Ta' Qali National Park (10 mins by bus)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Victoria Lines walking trail; Dingli Cliffs panoramic walk (4km away)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mdina Bastion Viewpoint (panoramic views of half the island)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Busket Gardens (The only woodland area in Malta, 5 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted in Mdina; permitted at designated BBQ spots in Għadira Bay
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- MaltaPost (Rabat branch); DHL Express
- Tech Repair Services
- iCentre (Birkirkara) for Apple products; various shops in Rabat
- Table Tennis Spots
- Various local youth centers/clubs in Rabat
- Language Classes
- Education First (EF) or IELS in Sliema (commutable)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Rabat Public Library; National Library in Valletta
- Community Centers
- Mdina Local Council office; Rabat Parish Social Club
- Gaming Lounges
- Gamers.com.mt lounge (Msida - 15 mins away)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Dragonara Casino (St. Julian's); Oracle Casino (Bugibba)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €480,000) - extreme rarity inside walls
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² in Rabat (e.g., 40 m² = €180,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €10,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €600,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² in Rabat (e.g., 60 m² = €240,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €760,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² in Rabat (e.g., 80 m² = €304,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (however, effective rate can be 5% for non-residents via refund)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% under the full imputation system
- Tax System
- Remittance-based for non-domiciled residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 18%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU ATAD compliant
- Property Tax
- None (No annual property tax, but transfer tax applies)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Stamp Duty on purchase; 8% Final Withholding Tax on sale
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Nomad Residence Permit: 0% tax on foreign income if remitted correctly