Fun Facts You Might Not Know About: Rabat!

Rabat is one of Malta’s oldest and most interesting towns, and it is full of surprises! It sits right next to Mdina, the Silent City, but while Mdina was once home to nobles and knights, Rabat was always more about regular people going about their daily lives. The name Rabat comes from the Arabic word for “suburb” because it was originally the area just outside Mdina’s walls. But Rabat is no sidekick — it has its own amazing stories and some of the coolest places to explore in all of Malta.

One of the most famous things about Rabat is its underground catacombs. These are long, dark tunnels that were once used as burial places during Roman times, more than 1,500 years ago! You can still visit the Catacombs of St Paul and St Agatha, where you will find carved stone tombs, secret passageways and even tiny altars used for prayer. It is like stepping into a secret underground city. Legend says that St Paul himself stayed in a cave in Rabat after he was shipwrecked in Malta, and that cave, known as St Paul’s Grotto, is now part of a church and museum that you can visit.

Above ground, Rabat is full of charm too. It has pretty streets, old houses with colourful balconies, and cosy cafés that smell like coffee and cake. One of the most popular spots is Crystal Palace, also known as Serkin, which is famous for its delicious pastizzi. Whether you like them with ricotta or mushy peas, Serkin’s pastizzi are some of the best on the island and are loved by locals and tourists alike — especially after a late night out!

Rabat also has a peaceful countryside feel. You can take a short walk to see green fields, old chapels and even Roman ruins. The Domus Romana, or Roman Villa, shows how rich Romans once lived in Malta. You can still see colourful mosaic floors and learn what daily life was like 2,000 years ago.

Every summer, Rabat comes alive for the feast of St Paul, with music, fireworks, and decorations all over town. It is one of the most exciting festas in Malta and brings together the whole community to celebrate with pride and joy.

So if you ever thought Rabat was just the neighbour of Mdina, think again! With ancient tunnels, tasty treats and stories that go back thousands of years, Rabat is a town full of fun, flavour and fascinating history.

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