Malta Lights up Mdina and Rabat for One Candlelit Museum Night

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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September 3, 2026 8:32 PM

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Malta lights up in a way few travellers expect, and it happens just once a year. On Saturday, September 19th, Mdina and Rabat glow candlelit as Museums by Candlelight returns, inviting visitors into three historic sites after dark. Malta’s oldest city, Mdina, known as the Silent City, pairs with neighbouring Rabat for an evening unlike any daytime visit. Candles, catacombs and music combine, turning ordinary museum walls into something atmospheric and rare. For just €3, guests explore Domus Romana, St Paul’s Catacombs and the National Museum of Natural History, proving that Malta’s oldest treasures shine brightest, quite literally, after sunset.

Malta’s Silent City Sets the Scene

Mdina, Malta’s oldest city and its former capital until 1530, has long earned the nickname “Silent City.” Unlike Valletta’s bustle, Mdina’s medieval streets remain free of cars, offering visitors a slower, more contemplative pace. It was here, famously, that the first season of Game of Thrones was filmed, drawing global attention to its honey-coloured walls and quiet lanes.

Rabat: Local Life Meets Ancient History

Adjacent to Mdina sits Rabat, one of Malta’s oldest towns, where daily life continues much as it always has. Rather than tourist crowds, visitors find genuine local rhythm: restaurants, wine bars, and residents going about ordinary routines. Beneath this everyday surface, however, lie extraordinary historical layers, including Domus Romana and St Paul’s Catacombs.

Three Sites, One Ticket, Thousands of Candles

From 7:00 p.m., with last admission at midnight, guests can wander between three sites for just €3 ($3.48). Thousands of candles illuminate each location, transforming familiar exhibits into something intimate and immersive, whilst live music threads throughout the night.

Domus Romana’s Mosaics and Melodies

At Domus Romana, visitors step into the world of a Roman aristocratic family from nearly 2,000 years ago. Though little of the original townhouse survives, its mosaics, particularly the celebrated “Drinking Doves,” remain remarkably vivid. Opened in 1882, this was Malta’s first archaeological museum, recognisable by its columned portico. Harpist Laetitia and violinist Stephen Scerri perform from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., adding gentle melody to ancient stone.

Descending Into St Paul’s Catacombs

A short walk away, St Paul’s Catacombs offer Malta’s largest underground Roman cemetery complex, active until the 7th century. Punic, Roman and Byzantine burial traditions all left their mark here, and the site recently earned the European Heritage Label, Malta’s first. Local band Skald performs from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., filling the underground chambers with sound.

Natural Wonders at Vilhena Palace

Housed within Mdina’s 18th-century Vilhena Palace, the National Museum of Natural History displays specimens spanning millions of years, including a mummified Nile crocodile, a fossilised crocodilian head from Gozo, and a giant white shark’s tooth. Kathy the Violinist provides music throughout the entire evening.

Rabat Sacrum Adds Further Charm

Running alongside is Rabat Sacrum, organised by the Rabat Local Council from 6:00 p.m., adding further stops for curious visitors. Comfortable footwear is strongly advised, given the walking involved between and within sites.

Booking Details

Tickets are available online for the general public, and free for Heritage Malta members, as well as at museums and on the night itself. Advance booking is strongly recommended, and tickets remain non-refundable. Tickets can be purchased online here for the general public and here for Heritage Malta members (free), as well as from all Heritage Malta museums and sites and at the door on the night. Acquiring them in advance is strongly recommended. Tickets are non-refundable.

“Museums by Candlelight captures exactly what modern travel should offer: authenticity, atmosphere and affordability combined in one unforgettable evening. Malta continues proving that heritage tourism doesn’t need spectacle to impress, it simply needs sincerity, storytelling and a little candlelight. This event beautifully bridges Mdina’s silent grandeur with Rabat’s local charm, giving travellers something genuinely memorable, and I sincerely commend Heritage Malta for keeping such meaningful cultural experiences accessible to everyone.” — Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

Malta lights up because heritage deserves more than daylight glances, and Museums by Candlelight answers that need directly. The cause is simple: preserving cultural memory whilst making it accessible; the reason is deeper: connecting visitors emotionally to Mdina and Rabat’s layered past. The answer lies in candlelight itself, transforming static exhibits into living, breathing experiences that linger long after midnight. For €3, travellers gain entry into three centuries-spanning sites, accompanied by live music, historic mosaics, ancient catacombs, and natural wonders alike. Ultimately, this September evening proves that Malta’s oldest city and its quiet neighbour still hold considerable power to captivate, educate, and enchant, one flickering flame at a time.