A beautiful ancient city in Southern Europe has a population of less than 100, but draws hordes of tourists every year. Mdina is a fortified settlement in the western region of Malta, known for its imposing walled exterior and its narrow, charming, cobbled streets.

The impressive citadel is perched on a hill near the town of Rabat, offering a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. Within its walls, you'll find stunning medieval and Baroque architecture to marvel at.

Dominating the skyline is St. Paul's Cathedral, which was severely damaged in an earthquake in the late 17th century before being rebuilt by celebrated architect Lorenzo Gafa in 1702.

Mdina was the former capital of Malta from antiquity to the medieval period, before it was moved to Birgu in 1530 and subsequently to Valletta.

The settlement had a starring role in the first series of the fantasy epic Game of Thrones, serving as the filming location for King's Landing, the capital city of the fictional Seven Kingdoms.

Mdina still has permanent residents, although given its size and the small number of them, it's often referred to as the Silent City.

Mario Cacciottolo, founder of Dark Malta Tours, said that due to its popularity among tourists and small size, you have to plan well to get the best out of it.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said officially Mdina has a population of 250, "but the locals got together, counted themselves and came up with just 84".

According to the newspaper, as many as 1.5million visit each year, eclipsing the tiny number of permanent residents.

Mdina is just a 25-minute drive from Valletta, making it a great place for a day trip if you're staying in Malta.

Temperatures remain comfortable and mild in November and December, averaging at 18C and 14C respectively, according to travel firm Tui.

Flights from the UK to Malta take around 3 hours and 20 minutes, arriving at Malta International Airport (MLA), which is only some 20 minutes from Valetta by car.

A TripAdvisor reviewer who visited in October said they had a "really good day out in the ancient walled city of Mdina", saying there are "endless narrow streets to explore with many shops, some very touristy obviously but some selling local arts and crafts".

"Also there are several restaurants, a couple with views from atop the city walls, although you may have to queue for the best seats."

They recommended putting a day aside to explore Mdina, "and you may get a bit of time to wander across the road to Rabat as well".

Another, who was there in September, said exploring the Old City was like "stepping back in time". "We spent hours walking through its ancient, winding streets, surrounded by centuries-old architecture and fascinating sites," they added.

"It's a place that rewards slow wandering and quiet observation." They said the highlight of their visit was "witnessing a wedding procession complete with ornate horse-drawn carriages".

"It offered a rare and beautiful glimpse into Malta's traditions and added a genuine local touch to the experience."

They advised visitors to prepare for plenty of walking and to leave ample time to "soak it in".

Another said the views from the city walls are "incredible", describing Mdina as a "truly memorable place to visit".