Mdina Ditch Gardens
Gardens in Mdina
The Mdina Ditch Gardens, locally known as Il-Foss, are one of the best places to visit in Mdina if you want a calm, leafy escape just below the city's monumental walls. Once a defensive moat guarding the island's medieval capital, this long trench has been transformed into a beautifully landscaped park where olive trees, citrus groves, and flowering shrubs soften the stone bulk of the bastions towering overhead.
Today, the former moat feels more like a secret garden than a military relic. Locals come here to stroll, jog, or sit in the shade, while visitors wander the paths to enjoy a different vantage point on the Silent City above. Often visited on walking tours of Mdina as a refreshing detour after exploring the narrow streets, the gardens offer space to unwind, reflect, and photograph the city from below in a way you simply cannot experience from the ramparts.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Things to See and Do in the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- How to Get to the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Where to Stay close to the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Is the Mdina Ditch Gardens Worth Visiting?
- FAQs for Visiting Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Nearby Attractions to the Mdina Ditch Gardens
History and Significance of the Mdina Ditch Gardens
The Mdina Ditch Gardens occupy what was once a key part of the city's defensive system: a deep moat encircling the fortified hilltop to make assaults more difficult. During the medieval and early modern periods, this trench formed a formidable obstacle, reinforcing the bastions and ensuring that Mdina remained one of the most secure strongholds on the island. The ditch was never meant to be beautiful; it was purely practical, a stark strip of earth and stone designed to keep enemies at bay.
As military technology evolved and the strategic importance of Mdina declined, the moat gradually fell into disuse. By the late 20th century, its defensive role had faded, and the space risked becoming little more than a neglected hollow beneath the walls. Instead, a new vision emerged: to reclaim the ditch as a public garden that would celebrate peace rather than war, while still respecting the historical context of the fortifications.
Through careful planning, restoration, and landscaping, Il-Foss was reborn as the Mdina Ditch Gardens. The transformation symbolises the city's shift from fortress to cultural landmark, turning a once forbidding barrier into a welcoming green corridor where people can connect with both nature and history. Today, the gardens stand as a vivid example of how old defensive infrastructure can be given a new, life-affirming purpose.
Things to See and Do in the Mdina Ditch Gardens
A visit to the Mdina Ditch Gardens is all about slowing down and enjoying the interplay of stone and greenery. Meandering paths lead you along the base of the bastions, shaded by olive and citrus trees whose blossoms lend a gentle fragrance to the air. As you walk, glance up regularly: the sheer height of the walls above is far more impressive from below than it appears when you are standing on top of them.
The landscaping combines manicured areas with more natural elements. Ivy and climbing plants soften sections of the masonry, while flower beds and shrubs add splashes of colour that change with the seasons. Stone benches offer inviting places to sit and take in the views, whether you are resting after a day of sightseeing or simply enjoying a quiet moment away from traffic and crowds.
The gardens are also a photographer’s dream. You can frame shots of Mdina’s ramparts rising above trees, capture long perspectives down the length of the ditch, or focus on details like archways, stairways, and patches of ivy creeping across the stone. At sunset, the walls glow in warm tones while the gardens sink into soft shade, creating a particularly atmospheric setting for both photos and picnics.
How to Get to the Mdina Ditch Gardens
The Mdina Ditch Gardens run along the base of Mdina's fortifications, just below the main entrance to the Silent City and close to Rabat. Most visitors will first travel to Mdina and Rabat in central Malta, with the nearest gateway being Malta International Airport near Luqa, around 20-30 minutes away by taxi or car depending on traffic and where you are staying. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Mdina on Booking.com.
There is no railway system in Malta, so you will not arrive by train; instead, regular buses connect Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's, and many coastal resorts with Rabat and Mdina, and several routes stop very close to the gardens and Mdina Gate.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the bus stops, it is a short walk down towards the ditch entrances, with paths leading directly into the gardens from the roadside and parking areas.
If you are driving, well-signposted roads lead to Mdina from all parts of the island, and public car parks lie alongside the ditch and near Howard Gardens, making it easy to park and then walk straight into the Mdina Ditch Gardens. From there, you can either explore the gardens themselves or continue up to Mdina Gate and into the Silent City, using Il-Foss as a green starting point or a relaxing finale to your visit.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Suggested tips: Wear comfortable shoes, as the gardens are long and inviting, and you may find yourself walking further than expected along the paths beneath the walls.
- Best time to visit: Early morning and late afternoon are particularly pleasant, with cooler temperatures and beautiful light on the bastions; evenings can also feel wonderfully calm.
- Entrance fee: Free; the Mdina Ditch Gardens are a public space open to everyone.
- How long to spend: Allow 30-60 minutes for a relaxed stroll, or longer if you plan to sit on a bench, take photos, or let children play in the open areas.
- Accessibility: Many paths are relatively level and wide, but some sections may include slopes or uneven surfaces; overall, the gardens are among the more accessible outdoor spaces around Mdina.
- Facilities: Seating, shade, and open walking areas are available within the gardens; toilets, cafés, and additional services can be found nearby in Rabat, by Howard Gardens, and around Mdina Gate.
- Photography tip: For dramatic compositions, stand at the far ends of the ditch to capture the length of the gardens and the full height of the bastions, or shoot upwards from close to the walls to emphasise their scale.
- Guided tours: Some guided tours of Mdina and Rabat mention or pass through the ditch, but the gardens are very easy to explore on your own as a self-guided detour.
- Nearby food options: After your walk, head up towards Rabat for cafés, bakeries, and restaurants, or into Mdina for terrace views and more formal dining.
Where to Stay close to the Mdina Ditch Gardens
Staying near the Mdina Ditch Gardens gives you immediate access to one of the area's most relaxing green spaces, as well as easy walking routes into both Mdina and Rabat. Inside the city walls, The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux offers luxurious rooms in a historic palace, just a short stroll up from the bastions and within easy reach of paths down into the ditch. For a more budget-friendly but well-located stay, Point de Vue Guesthouse overlooks the countryside and sits close to both Howard Gardens and access points to the Mdina Ditch Gardens. Another appealing choice is Casa Azzopardi Guesthouse, a characterful guesthouse in Rabat that puts you within walking distance of the gardens, Mdina Gate, and the town's cafés and shops.
Is the Mdina Ditch Gardens Worth Visiting?
The Mdina Ditch Gardens are definitely worth adding to your central Malta itinerary, especially if you enjoy green spaces with strong historical character. More than just a park, Il-Foss tells the story of Mdina's evolution from fortress to cultural landmark, turning a once forbidding moat into a place of relaxation, reflection, and community events. Whether you come for a quiet walk, a picnic under the trees, or a sunset view of the glowing bastions, the gardens offer a refreshing perspective on the Silent City that complements everything you see from above.
What Other Travellers Say...
Il-Foss is a tranquil garden set in the old moat surrounding Mdina, accessed near the small parking by the Greek Gate or via stairs by il-Veduta; well-kept paths, boxwood hedges, small orange trees and high walls make it a peaceful spot for a stroll and relaxation, with particularly lovely views of Mdina Gate and a viewing platform offering another perspective of the walls.
FAQs for Visiting Mdina Ditch Gardens
Nearby Attractions to the Mdina Ditch Gardens
- Howard Gardens: A long, shady park just above the ditch, forming a green boundary between Mdina and Rabat and offering views of the fortifications.
- Mdina Gate: The grand Baroque entrance to the Silent City, with its lion statues, coat of arms, and cinematic bridge leading into the walled town.
- National Museum of Natural History (Palazzo Vilhena): Located by Mdina Gate, this museum explores Malta's geology, habitats, and biodiversity inside a stately Baroque palace.
- Domus Romana (Roman Villa Museum): A short walk away in Rabat, showcasing exquisite Roman mosaics and artifacts from an elegant 1st-century BC villa.
- Rabat and St Paul's Catacombs: The neighbouring town and its extensive early Christian burial complex, offering a fascinating underground glimpse into Malta's late Roman and early medieval past.
The Mdina Ditch 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!
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!
Planning Your Visit
Generally accessible throughout the day
Free; the Mdina Ditch Gardens are a public space open to everyone.
Nearby Attractions
- Mdina Bastions (0.0) km
City Walls - Howard Gardens (0.1) km
Gardens - Mdina Gate (0.1) km
City Gate - Torre dello Standardo (0.1) km
Tourist Office and Tower - Mdina Dungeons (0.1) km
Museum - National Museum of Natural History (0.1) km
Museum - Greeks Gate (0.2) km
City Gate - Mesquita Square (0.2) km
Square - Domus Romana (0.2) km
Roman Site - Saint Sofia Palace (0.2) km
Palace
