Outing Guide: Fossils, Views, and Garden Fun
This guide is centered around the **Mdina and Rabat** area, offering a blend of indoor discovery at a museum, panoramic lunch views, and open space for children to run.
☀️ Morning Activity: Fossils and Malta’s Past
Malta National Museum of Natural History (Mdina)
| Description | Step into the impressive 18th-century Palazzo Vilhena (right inside Mdina) which houses the National Museum of Natural History, to explore Malta’s geological and natural history. Kids can get up close to fascinating skeletons, prehistoric fossils, native Maltese wildlife, and a vast collection of insects. It’s a quiet, engaging way to introduce children to the science and history of the natural world. |
| How to Enjoy | Focus on the main hall displays like the mammal skeletons for maximum impact. Turn the trip into a “treasure hunt” by asking children to spot specific insects or birds. Since Mdina is quiet, this indoor activity offers a great escape from the early morning heat during Summer months, and rain during Winter months, and keeps minds active. |
| Cost | Entrance fee to museum (Family and individual tickets apply) |
🍕 Lunch Spot: Quick Bites with the Best View
Bastion View Kiosk / Café
| Description | Once you exit the museum, head toward the main bastions or the area near the Mdina gate. The **Bastion View Kiosk** or nearby cafés offer an informal and speedy lunch option with great panoramic views. This is the perfect spot for quick sandwiches, pastizzi, drinks, or the all-important post-museum treat. The kiosk is within Howard Gardens, which is a perfect spot for children to roam while you grab a much-needed coffee. |
| How to Enjoy | Grab your food and secure a bench or table with a view. The food is often served quickly, giving you more time for play. |
| Cost | **Charge** (Meal cost) |
🌳 Afternoon Activity: Running and Playground Time
Howard Gardens & Rabat Playground (Rabat)
| Description | Just outside the Mdina gate, across the moat, lies the expansive Howard Gardens and the Rabat Playground. The park features a large, well-equipped public playground with benches. It’s the ultimate spot for children to run, climb, and let loose after their historical and scientific adventures. You can also visit the Mdina Ditch and bring along scooters or bikes for a post-lunch activity. |
| How to Enjoy | Head straight to the playground for slides and climbing fun. |
| Cost | Free (The gardens and playground are public and free to access) |