Howard Gardens, Mdina

Gardens in Mdina

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Frank Vincentz

Howard Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Mdina if you're looking for a peaceful, leafy contrast to the limestone streets and fortified walls. Stretching along the border between Mdina and Rabat, this long, elegant park offers shady paths, citrus scents, and open views that feel worlds away from the narrow lanes of the Silent City, even though it sits right outside the main gate.

Inaugurated in 1942 and named after Joseph Howard, Malta's first Prime Minister under self-government, the gardens weave together politics, memory, and daily life in a surprisingly gentle way. Today, families, dog walkers, and travellers share the space, using it as a calm buffer between sightseeing in Mdina, errands in Rabat, and visits to nearby sights like the Domus Romana. It is often visited on walking tours of Mdina as the ideal place to start or end an exploration of both towns.

History and Significance of the Howard Gardens
Things to See and Do in the Howard Gardens
How to Get to the Howard Gardens
Practical Tips on Visiting the Howard Gardens
Where to Stay close to the Howard Gardens
Is the Howard Gardens Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Howard Gardens
Nearby Attractions to the Howard Gardens

History and Significance of the Howard Gardens

Howard Gardens were officially opened in 1942 and dedicated to Joseph Howard OBE (1862-1925), who became Malta's first Prime Minister after the introduction of self-government. Naming the gardens after him anchored this new public space in a moment of political transition, turning a stretch of land outside the old walls into a living tribute to modern Maltese civic identity.

Their location is as symbolic as their name. Sitting between Mdina's bastions and Rabat's more contemporary streets, Howard Gardens mark the line where medieval stone gives way to everyday Maltese life. This green strip softens the visual impact of the fortifications, framing them with trees and lawns rather than bare rock and tarmac, and offering a welcoming first impression to visitors approaching the Silent City.

Over time, the gardens have become part of the rhythm of local life rather than just a formal monument. Generations of residents have met friends here, brought children to play, or simply rested on a bench under the trees. As such, Howard Gardens now function as both historical marker and lived space, reflecting how Malta's past and present comfortably overlap in the shadow of Mdina's walls.

Things to See and Do in the Howard Gardens

One of the first things you notice on entering Howard Gardens is the scent of orange blossoms drifting from the orchard area. The orange trees are one of the park's signature features, adding bursts of colour to the greenery and a distinctly Mediterranean fragrance that lingers in the air. It is the kind of detail that makes a simple stroll feel quietly special.

The broad paths, lined with mature trees and manicured shrubs, are perfect for slow walks, whether you are heading towards Mdina Gate or drifting back toward Rabat. Along the way, stone benches provide plenty of spots to sit, read, or people-watch as locals and visitors move between the two towns. The gardens also include a football pitch and tennis court, giving the space a light recreational energy as children and adults enjoy casual games beneath the city walls.

For photographers and lovers of views, Howard Gardens offers some of the finest vantage points of Mdina's bastions. From various spots along the paths, you can look up to see the fortified walls rising above the treeline, especially beautiful in the golden light of late afternoon or at sunset. The contrast between soft greenery below and solid stone above makes the gardens a natural viewpoint, picnic spot, and a gentle reminder of how nature and history sit side by side here, making Howard Gardens one of the must-see places in Mdina's surroundings.

How to Get to the Howard Gardens

Howard Gardens sits just outside Mdina's main entrance, so reaching it starts with travelling to Mdina and Rabat in central Malta. The nearest arrival point is Malta International Airport near Luqa, about 20-30 minutes away by taxi or car depending on traffic and your starting point. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Mdina on Booking.com.

There is no train network in Malta, so you will not arrive by train; instead, regular buses link Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's, and many resort areas with Rabat and Mdina, dropping you a short walk from the gardens and Mdina Gate.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. The bus stops are conveniently close, making it easy to step straight into Howard Gardens as soon as you get off.

If you are driving, clearly signposted roads lead to Mdina from all parts of the island, and public car parks are located right alongside Howard Gardens and just below the city walls. From the car parks, you can stroll directly into the gardens, then continue on to Mdina, Rabat, or the Domus Romana depending on your plans.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Howard Gardens

Suggested tips: Use Howard Gardens as a “reset” point during your Mdina and Rabat explorations-pause here between sights to rest your feet and enjoy some shade.
Best time to visit: Early morning and late afternoon are especially pleasant, with softer light on Mdina’s bastions and cooler temperatures under the trees.
Entrance fee: Free; Howard Gardens is a public park open to everyone.
Opening hours: Open at all times
How long to spend: Allow 20-40 minutes for a leisurely stroll, or longer if you plan to sit, picnic, or let children play on the nearby sports facilities.
Accessibility: Paths are wide and relatively level, making the gardens one of the more accessible outdoor spaces in the area for visitors with limited mobility or prams.
Facilities: Benches, shaded areas, sports facilities, and nearby car parks are available; cafés, kiosks, and toilets can be found close by in Rabat and near Mdina Gate.
Photography tip: Stand back from the walls to capture Mdina rising above the trees, and return at sunset when the bastions glow golden against the darkening sky.
Guided tours: Some tours of Mdina and Rabat begin or end near Howard Gardens, using the park as a meeting point or gentle introduction to the area.
Nearby food options: Rabat’s cafés, bakeries, and restaurants are just across the road, making it easy to grab a coffee, pastizzi, or a full meal before or after your walk.

Where to Stay close to the Howard Gardens

Staying near Howard Gardens puts you in a perfect position to enjoy both Mdina and Rabat, with green space on your doorstep and the Silent City just a short stroll away. Inside Mdina's walls, The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux offers a luxurious base in a historic palace, with elegant rooms and easy access through Mdina Gate down into the gardens. For a more affordable and relaxed option just across from the park, Point de Vue Guesthouse overlooks the countryside and sits only a few minutes' walk from Howard Gardens and Mdina's entrance. Another good choice is Casa Azzopardi Guesthouse, a characterful guesthouse in Rabat that gives you a local neighbourhood feel while keeping the gardens and both towns within easy walking distance.

Is the Howard Gardens Worth Visiting?

Howard Gardens is very much worth visiting, particularly if you appreciate moments of calm between more intense sightseeing. It offers shade, space, and fresh air right beside some of Malta's most historic streets, making it an ideal place to pause, regroup, or simply enjoy the view of Mdina's bastions. Whether you are picnicking under the trees, letting children burn off energy, or watching the sunset paint the city walls gold, the gardens add a gentle, green layer to any visit to central Malta.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (129)

Howard Gardens in Rabat is a freely accessible green park on the border with Mdina, offering shaded spots, benches, statues and well-maintained plantings; visitors recommend it for relaxing, reading or working, strolling picturesque paths and taking photos of the city views at daytime, sunset or after dark, and note it has public restrooms plus a coffee and small gelato place nearby.

Kely Costa

4 months ago

"lovely garden, freely accessible to the public. It’s a beautiful spot to read, work, or simply relax. There are plenty of shaded areas, as well aspublic restrooms, a coffee place, and a small gelato place...."

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Monika Monique

10 months ago

"Lovely gardens between Old City Mdina and Rabat - named after the first prime minister. There are statues, benches and lovely paths to stroll."

Kristina Tina K

2 years ago

"Game of Thrones fans should come and walk around the city. The streets are beautiful, and the contrasts of stone and sky are enchanting. A beautifulpark. Enchanting view on all sides. Beautiful when the sun goes down...."

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FAQs for Visiting Howard Gardens

Howard Gardens run along the boundary between Mdina and Rabat, directly below Mdina’s walls and just outside the main entrance to the Silent City.

No, the gardens are a public park and free to enter at any time.

Yes, the wide paths, open spaces, and nearby sports facilities make the gardens very family-friendly, with plenty of room for children to play.

You can walk through at night and enjoy views of Mdina lit up above, though the atmosphere is quieter and lighting is softer than during the day.

Nearby Attractions to the Howard Gardens

Mdina Gate: The grand Baroque entrance to the Silent City, just a short walk uphill from the gardens and a classic photo spot.
National Museum of Natural History (Palazzo Vilhena): Located beside Mdina Gate, with exhibits on Malta's habitats, fossils, and natural history.
Domus Romana (Roman Villa): An important archaeological site near the gardens, featuring Roman mosaics and artefacts from ancient Melite.
Rabat and St Paul's Catacombs: The neighbouring town and its extensive early Christian burial complex, offering a fascinating underground glimpse into Malta's past.
Mdina Cathedral (St Paul's Cathedral): The majestic Baroque cathedral within Mdina's walls, with a richly decorated interior and strong links to the city's post-earthquake rebuilding.

The Howard Gardens appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Mdina!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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