Choose from 5,104 Fun Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley
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MBK Center
A giant and legendary shopping mall located just off Siam Square, the MBK Center (Ma Boon Khrong Center) attracts both locals and tourists looking to fulfill their shopping needs. Boasting eight floors crammed with 2,000 shops and a range of stalls, this sleek glass complex sells everything from bargain clothing to affordable electronics.
In addition to retail outlets, MBK has two expansive food courts—one on the sixth floor serving local Thai food and an international one on the floor below. MBK is particularly well-known for its range of cheap electronic items, with the fourth floor dedicated to cell phones, cameras, games consoles, MP3 players and more.
The top floor of this huge mall features an extensive entertainment center, with a multi-screen cinema, karaoke facilities and a games arcade. There’s also the 3D Trick Art Museum, a fun family attraction that both younger and older kids can enjoy. For a unique way to visit the MBK Center and other malls in the area, take a Bangkok city tour that incorporates trips to many of the capital’s major sights via several different modes of public transport.
Practical Info
The MBK Center is located in the Siam Square area, the most central neighborhood in Bangkok. It's particularly easy to reach thanks to a direct walkway linking the mall to the National Stadium BTS Skytrain station.
Address: 444 Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Hours: Daily 10am–10pm
From $ 33
Mecca Masjid
Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, as well as being one of the largest in the world. Construction of the mosque began in 1617 by the city’s founder, Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, but wasn’t complete until 1694 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
This ancient mosque is a listed heritage building. It’s constructed from granite and features exquisite interiors that few visitors get to see; its large prayer hall can accommodate more than 10,000 men, but women are not allowed inside and tourists can only hope to catch a glimpse from outside. Female visitors may not even be permitted into the mosque’s vast courtyard area if their clothing is not deemed conservative enough.
Several bricks embedded above the main prayer hall's central arch are made with soil from the holy city of Mecca (hence the mosque's name), and verses of the Quran are inscribed on the arches of the building. It is also believed that a strand of the Prophet Mohammed’s hair is kept preserved in a room in the mosque’s courtyard.
Practical Info
Mecca Masjid is situated in the heart of Hyderabad, close to Laad Bazaar, the Charminar monument, and not far from Chowmahalla Palace. It’s easily accessible from various parts of the city by taxi or public bus.
Address: Laad Bazaar Road, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002, India
Hours: 4am-9:30pm daily
From $ 42
Mayfair
Owing legendary status to its monopoly board incarnation – the most expensive property on the board, no less – Mayfair maintains its reputation as one of Central London’s most affluent districts – it was even the birthplace of Her Majesty the Queen. Stretching between Oxford Street, Piccadilly and Regent Street, and bounded by Hyde Park to the West, the area was named after the May Fair held there during the 17th and 18th centuries. At its heart, the popular Grosvenor Square - affectionately termed ‘Little America’ with its statue of Franklin D Roosevelt and stately American Embassy building - was named after the Grosvenor family, who still own a good portion of Mayfair.
The district’s principal shopping streets include the world famous Bond Street, home to Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, Jenny Packham and Marc Jacobs, among others and Saville Row, legendary for its exquisite men’s tailoring. The elegant Royal and Burlington shopping arcades are also worth a wander, with luxury boutiques set to a stunning backdrop. New Bond Street is famed for its auction houses, including the ever-popular Phillips and Sotheby's.
It’s not just shopping that draws visitors to the streets of Mayfair – there are around 20 art galleries in the area, as well as the Handel House Museum, set inside the former home of the renowned composer, and the Royal Academy of Arts lies on the cusp of Picadilly. If you can afford to stay in Mayfair, you’ll be spoiled – the area is home to the highest concentration of luxurious hotels in London, including the illustrious Ritz and the local nightlife is among the glitziest in town, with celebrity-studded nightclubs like Mahiki just a short stroll from a selection of plush wine bars. A number of exquisite restaurants have put Mayfair firmly on the map for roving gastronomes too - celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay owns a number of restaurants in the area and the world-famous Nobu has an outlet on Berkeley Street.
The district’s principal shopping streets include the world famous Bond Street, home to Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, Jenny Packham and Marc Jacobs, among others and Saville Row, legendary for its exquisite men’s tailoring. The elegant Royal and Burlington shopping arcades are also worth a wander, with luxury boutiques set to a stunning backdrop. New Bond Street is famed for its auction houses, including the ever-popular Phillips and Sotheby's.
It’s not just shopping that draws visitors to the streets of Mayfair – there are around 20 art galleries in the area, as well as the Handel House Museum, set inside the former home of the renowned composer, and the Royal Academy of Arts lies on the cusp of Picadilly. If you can afford to stay in Mayfair, you’ll be spoiled – the area is home to the highest concentration of luxurious hotels in London, including the illustrious Ritz and the local nightlife is among the glitziest in town, with celebrity-studded nightclubs like Mahiki just a short stroll from a selection of plush wine bars. A number of exquisite restaurants have put Mayfair firmly on the map for roving gastronomes too - celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay owns a number of restaurants in the area and the world-famous Nobu has an outlet on Berkeley Street.
Address: London, England
From $ 39
Media Harbor
Dusseldorf’s historic harbor was given an impressive facelift during the 1990s, transforming the bleak silos and shipping warehouses, into a lively cultural hub and one of the city’s most stylish districts. Taking its name from the abundance of media and communications company headquarters that sprung up in the area, the new Media Harbor is characterized by its ultra-modern architecture, and the glass-fronted office blocks, looming Rheinturm TV Tower and wave-inspired Gehry buildings form a sleek silhouette along the waterfront.
As well as being the postcard image of modern-day Dusseldorf, the Media Harbor is also home to a selection of upmarket restaurants, bistros and bars and offers a glamorous setting for the city’s most exclusive nightclubs.
Practical Info
The Media Harbor is located just south of the Rheinuferpromenade in downtown Dusseldorf, on the eastern banks of the Rhine River.
Address: Dusseldorf, Germany
From $ 12
Medinet Habu (Temple of Ramses III)
Where the fertile Nile floodplain meets the desert lies the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, known locally by its Arabic name Medinet Habu. The whole compound forms a huge rectangle, with the temple a smaller rectangle within. The ensemble is the second largest in Luxor after Karnak, and is related in both style and scale to the nearby Ramesseum.
Visitors come here mainly for the outstanding wall reliefs, enormous depictions of pharaohs, gods and battles; one section serves as an accounting system for notching up vanquished enemies. There are also highly impressive hieroglyphs on both walls and columns. Other extant structures besides the Mortuary Temple itself include the Memorial of King Horemheb and the lavishly decorated tombs of favored New Kingdom officials.
Practical Info
Medinet Habu is on the western bank of the Nile. Take a ferry from the eastern side, then a taxi. Consider combining your trip with a visit to the nearby Ramesseum.
Address: Egypt
Hours: Open daily. Summer: 6am - 5pm, Winter: 6am - 4pm
Admission: 20 L.E.
From $ 35
Medjugorje
This city with stunning hillside scenery has a name that literally means “between the mountains”. Its epic landscapes and brilliant green views attract Catholic pilgrims from across the globe, thanks to reports that the Virgin Mary was sighted here. According to locals, apparitions started in 1981. Sice then, some 40 million people have made their way to the town of Medjugorje in hopes of bearing witness or being healed.
Travelers can attend daily mass in English or Croatian at St James Church or one of the other cathedrals that dot the countryside and journey up the well-marked path on Apparition Hill, where one of the first sightings of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred. It’s possible to stop for prayer and contemplation at the famed Blue Cross statue, which sits at the foot of the hill or climb nearby Mt Krizvec, where a 29-foot high crucifix was built. Visitors will find deep religious roots in this stunning hillside community.
Practical Info
The town is located about 16 miles (25 km) southwest of Mostar, near the border of Croatia.
Address: Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
From $ 21
Meads Bay
Meads Bay is a scenic strip of Anguilla beach with a number of restaurants and luxury resorts lining its sandy shores. If you’re not staying in one of the upmarket hotels that frames Meads Bay, it’s certainly worth a day trip here, with countless places to eat delicious food and soak up the sun and stunning scenery.
As soon as you enter Meads Bay, you’ll be struck by its clean, white-sand beach and clear waters. A Caribbean classic, Meads Bay can be enjoyed as part of a private speedboat tour around Anguilla’s best beaches, or as part of a sail and snorkel trip from St Maarten. If you’d rather get a bird’s-eye view of this slice of beach paradise, indulge in a 25-minute helicopter tour over all of Anguilla’s stunning beaches, plus the Pinel and Tintamarre islands.
Insider Tip: Anguilla's August Thursday boat race, set every year on the first Thursday of the month, departs from Meads Bay and returns to the same spot for its grand finish. The event is a public holiday in Anguilla, meaning lots of people gather on the beach for a vibrant atmosphere.
Practical Info
Anguilla lies just off the coast of St Martin. Although you can fly directly to the island, most people tend to visit as part of an organized tour or via a quick 20-minute ferry ride into the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal.
Address: Meads Bay, Eastern Carribean, Anguilla
From $ 129
Medvedgrad Castle
Sitting on the southern flanks of Mount Medvednica and looking over the suburbs of Zagreb, Medvedgrad Castle is one of Croatia’s most important medieval fortresses. It was constructed in the mid-13th century to protect the growing city from invasion by the Tatars, who were warlike tribes under the rule of Mongolia in the Far East. The castle changed hands many times over the centuries, and by the mid-15th century was in the hands of the Counts of Celje, who terrorized the local area, plundering neighboring villages and towns. Following their downfall and a disastrous earthquake in 1590, the castle was abandoned and fell in to decay before being rediscovered in 1979 and slowly nursed back to life. Today the defense walls stand once more, encircling the carefully restored stone chapel of St Philip and St Jacob, the Great Palace, fortified towers and the Oltar Domovine (Homeland Altar) memorial to all the war dead of Croatia, made of stone from regions across the country and bearing an eternal flame. There are magical summer concerts at the castle in July and the last weekend in September sees an annual medieval pageant; a new visitor center is in the planning.
Practical Info
Nature Park Medvednica, Zagreb. Open Apr–May Sat–Sun 11am–7pm; May–Sept Tue–Sun 11am–7pm; Sept–Oct Tue–Sun 10am–6pm; Oct–Nov 8.30am–4pm. Admission 15 KN. By road there is a one-way circular route up to the castle; by public transport take bus no 128 to Lukšići and walk through forest to the castle.
Address: prilaz Kraljičinom zdencu, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Hours: Apr–May Sat–Sun 11am–7pm; May–Sept Tue–Sun 11am–7pm; Sept–Oct Tue–Sun 10am–6pm; Oct–Nov 8.30am–4pm.
Admission: 15 KN
From $ 75
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
Athens is known for its good taste and classic style. Visitors to this ancient city can find all of this and more on a trip to McArthurGlen Designer Outlets. Here, hundreds of designer brands unite under one roof to provide both travelers and locals with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. High-style items can be found at roughly 70 percent off ticket price and open-air cafes, boutiques and tasty restaurants mean it’s easy to make a day of it. McArthurGlen is even home to an adventure playground, complete with slides, games and a carousel, which is sure to keep little ones happy, too.
Practical Info
The outlets are located about 30 minutes from the center of Athens in Building Block E71 in Spata. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Address: Block E71 Gialou, Spata, Athens, Greece
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
From $ 116
Melaka River
The Melaka River cuts across the city of the same name on its way to the Straits of Melaka (Malacca). In recent years, the river has been revitalized into a top destination, with both Malaysians and international visitors coming to soak in its history and marvel at the diverse architecture from the city’s Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage.
The Basics
One of the best ways to take in the colonial architecture of UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka is aboard a Melaka River cruise sailing past picturesque riverbanks and beneath numerous landmark bridges. A typical day trip from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore might include such a cruise, as well as visits to the Dutch Museum, St. Peter’s Church, and Jonker Street.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A cruise on the Melaka River is a must for families and first-time visitors.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as the river has little shade.
- River cruises last about 45 minutes round-trip.
How to Get There
If you’re not visiting the river as part of a guided tour, you can make your way there yourself by walking along Jonker Street until it meets the river.
When to Get There
The best time to enjoy the Melaka River and other outdoor attractions is during the dry season—typically April, early May, and October. Plan your cruise in the morning or early evening to avoid the worst of the heat.
Attractions to Visit Before or After Your Cruise
The departure point for Melaka River cruises is centrally located in the heart of the historic city. If you have some free time before or after a boat trip on the river, plan to spend some time visiting other nearby attractions, such as the Stadthuys in Red Square, Christ Church, the Maritime Museum, or Jonker Street (also called Jonker Walk).
Address: Melaka River, Melaka, Malaysia
Admission: Varies
From $ 28
Melaka Portuguese Square
Sometimes referred to as "Mini Lisbon," Melaka Portuguese Square is a hub of Portuguese culture and community in the city—a symbol of Portuguese–Malay heritage. Bars, a few small museums, and restaurants serving up Portuguese fare line the courtyard and surrounding Eurasian village (kampung).
The Basics
As one of many notable landmarks in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Melaka Portuguese Square is typically a stop on sightseeing tours and day trip from Kuala Lumpur, which also usually include Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, St. Paul’s Church, Stadthuys, Christ Church, and the Kampung Kling Mosque.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The square is a must-see for foodies and those with an interest in Malaysia’s colonial history.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the surrounding neighborhood.
- Come hungry; the neighborhood is known for its excellent seafood and Portuguese cuisine.
How to Get There
Melaka Portuguese Square is situated east of the city center. The best way to get there and back is by taxi or with an organized tour.
When to Get There
The square is open all the time, but it’s at its liveliest in the evenings and on weekends when locals and visitors alike come to dine out and take in traditional performances in the square. A bulletin board in the square lists upcoming cultural events.
Festivals in Portuguese Square
Each year, the Portuguese community in Melaka celebrates the Feast of Saint Peter (San Pedro) on June 29 with live music, food, and dancing in the square. Another good time to visit is during Christmas season, when local residents decorate their homes and streets with nativity scenes and colorful lights.
Address: Portuguese Square, Jalan Daranjo, Melaka 75050, Malaysia
From $ 28
Mayflower Bocawina National Park
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the natural landscapes, stunning waterfalls, indigenous wildlife and numerous bird species that make Belize’s Mayflower Bocawina National Park a Central American destination. Visitors to this tropical gem can navigate well-marked trails through dense forests in search of rare and colorful birds or take a dip in one of the swimming holes filled with clear blue waters from rushing falls. Mayflower Bocawina is also home to a handful of ancient Mayan ruins, including Mayflower Plaza and the Maintzunun temple mound, making it a perfect stop for history lovers.
The park offers plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors and travelers will find several well-kept camping areas throughout Mayflower. Those who prefer a touch of luxury over truly roughing it can find accommodation just beyond the park in Placencia, Hopkins and Dangriga.
Practical Info
The park is located in the Stann Creek District of Belize, off a mile six of the Southern Highway. Entrance fee is $10 BZ ($5 US) per person.
Address: Stann Creek, Belize
Admission: $10 BZ ($5 US)
From $ 78
Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden)
Directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) offers a stunning perspective on Agra’s most beloved monument. While the views are the big draw of this 16th-century garden, it’s also worth a visit in its own right for its elegant landscape design and quiet ambiance.
The Basics
Spread out over 25 acres (10 hectares), this garden dates back to 1530, when it was commissioned by Babur, the first emperor of the Mughal dynasty in India. At the time it was filled with flowers and orchards, and though flooding over the years has led to some loss of plant life, it’s still wonderfully landscaped.
Many Agra city tours, plus multi-day tours from Delhi and elsewhere that include Agra, stop at this riverside garden for photos. Generally this happens at sunset, when the view of the Taj Mahal reflecting on the river is spectacular.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Mehtab Bagh is a must for photographers and all first-time visitors to Agra and the Taj Mahal.
- Wear sun protection—there’s not much shade in the garden.
- Bring bug spray in the rainy season, as the garden can get muggy and attract mosquitoes.
- Wear comfy shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. It’s a long walk from the garden’s gate to the Taj viewpoint.
How to Get There
Mehtab Bagh is in Agra, across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal. From the Taj it’s a 20-minute drive; Agra Fort is about a 10-minute drive away.
When to Get There
Mehtab Bagh is open from sunrise to sunset every day, but the best time to visit is closer to sunset, when the Taj Mahal reflects on the river. If you happen to be in Agra on a Friday, when the Taj Mahal is closed to the public, you’ll definitely want to head here for the views.
The Legend of the Black Taj
According to local legend, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan planned a mausoleum to be built across the river from the Taj Mahal, identical but made entirely of black marble. However, the emperor was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb, and the project never came to fruition. Some have postulated that the presence of black marble ruins in Mehtab Bagh were foundation stones for the legendary tomb, but historians have largely dismissed the theory.
Address: Nagla Devjit, Etmadpur, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India
Admission: Varies
From $ 28
Mayfield Falls
The Mayfield Falls are a series of waterfalls situated on the Mayfield River in the parish of Westmoreland in Jamaica. The falls feature 21 cascades in total. The tallest, nicknamed the ‘Washing Machine’ and reaching around three meters in height, is large enough for visitors to get behind and play in the jets of water. The jungle setting of the falls is abundant with lush plantlife, as well as a variety of exotic species of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife native to Jamaica.
Most people set off to the Mayfield Falls with a guide. The level of physical activity here is moderately demanding and involves quite a walk through the water and across rocks to explore the falls in their entirety.
Practical Info
Tours with a guide usually last an hour and a half and operate between 8am and 4:30pm. Water shoes are available to rent as the rocks are slippery, and there are also lockers to store any belongings in. There is a café on-site that serves local Jamaican cuisine.
Address: Glenbrook, Westmoreland, Negril, Jamaica
From $ 76
Mega Adventure Park
Mega Adventure Park on Singapore’s Sentosa Island is an adrenaline junkie’s playground. The crowning jewel of the park is a 1,476-foot (450-m) zipline called the MegaZip, which lets guests fly over the jungle canopy some 236 feet (72 m) above the ground. There is also a treetop aerial obstacle course, complete with tightropes, cargo nets, and wobbly bridges.
Recreate the sensation of skydiving on the ParaJump, or test your strength on NorthFace, a 52-foot (16-m) climbing wall with three different routes to the top. The smaller-scale MegaBounce attraction lets little ones in on the fun.
Practical Info
Mega Adventure Park is located on Sentosa Island in Singapore. It is open daily from 11am to 7pm. Tickets can be purchased a la carte by attraction or as a combo of two or more adventures.
Catching the cable car from Mount Faber is arguably the best way to get to Sentosa Island from the mainland, as it offers spectacular views that all ages can enjoy. Alternatively, you can also take the North-East Line of the MRT to HarbourFront and make your way to Level 3 of Vivocity, where it's possible to catch the Sentosa Express monorail to the island. Once on the island, you can get around by a series of bus routes, the beach tram, and the Sentosa Express.
Address: Imbiah Hill Road, Sentosa Island 98829, Singapore
Hours: 11am–7pm daily
Admission: Varies
From $ 38
Medellin Botanical Garden
In the heart of Medellin, the Medellin Botanical Garden is the city’s green lung and a living museum with plants from around the country as well as birds, turtles, reptiles, insects and fish.
At the end of the 19th century, the area was a private farm used for recreation. In the late 1960s, the idea of a botanical garden began to take shape, and by 1972 the Botanical Garden was established as a place for investigation and education and to exhibit Colombian plants. Part of the Cultural Patrimony of Medellin since 1985, the botanical garden works with other worldwide organizations such as WWF and UNESCO to conserve and manage plants for a sustainable future.
About 40 acres (0.4 hectares) of outdoor park with 5,000 plants and 1,000 different species provides ample space for recreation. As part of a major renovation in 2005, the Orchideorama, a graceful wood structure that houses orchids, bromeliads, ferns and other species, was built.
There is a cactus garden, a pond, a large vertical garden and a butterfly garden with plants that attract butterflies. The palm garden shows off 120 different types of palm trees in this country, known for its varieties of palms that are used for food, medicine, construction, biofuel and crafts. There is also a medicinal garden with plants, spices and teas useful for curing ailments. There are also plenty of activities like biking, hiking, horseback riding and water sports on the pond.
Practical Info
The botanical garden is open Monday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. The metro is perhaps the easiest way to get to the garden, since the Universidad station is close to its entrance. There are also buses that go by the garden, and taxis can drop you off near the walkway at Carrera 52 and Calle 73.
Address: Carrera 52 # 1-82, Medellin, Colombia
From $ 41
Megalo Kavouri
Megalo Kavouri, which means big crab, is one of the two main beaches in the coastal town of Vouliagmeni about 12 miles from Athens, Greece. The second beach is called Mikro Kavouri. Some parts of the beach are sandy while others are pebbles, and there are several coves. Megalo Kavouri has a large sandy cove with shallow water. The roads near the beach are lined with palm trees, providing welcome shade in the hot summer months. The beach is a popular choice for sunbathing, swimming, and other water activities due to the safe waters and the amount of space on the beach. The beaches in Vouliagmeni are consistently awarded the EU blue flags for environmental excellence.
Megalo Kavouri has plenty of beach facilities, lounge chairs, and umbrellas. Several restaurants, cafes, and fish taverns that serve local Greek cuisine are located near the beach. There are lots of hotels and resorts in the area as well. Often people will play beach volleyball and other beach games at Megalo Kavouri. In Vouliagmeni, visitors can see the ruins of the temple of Apollo Zoster as well as other ruins dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Practical Info
Megalo Kavouri can be reached by public bus from Athens. There is no entrance fee to use the beach.
Address: Vouliagmeni, Greece
Hours: Daily
From $ 103
Mehrauli Archaeological Park
The Mehrauli Archaeological Park in New Delhi is home to the crumbling ruins of tombs and palaces that date back to early medieval times and up to the 19th century. The park is sprawled across 200 acres and is an atmospheric site that is less crowded than the Qutub Minar World Heritage site nearby.
One of the main attractions at the park comes in the form of two monuments that sit together – the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb. The intricately chiselled ceiling of the mosque is well worth a peek inside. There is also a striking 16th-century stairwell within the park, along with the crumbling tombs of Balban and Quli Khan.
Practical Info
The nearest metro station is Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line. There’s no official sign for the park, just one that reads “Delhi Development Authority” outside the main entrance gate.
Address: Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, New Delhi, India
From $ 18
Mea She'arim
Having a predominantly Haredi and Hasidic population, the Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Mea She’arim is a world of its own within Jerusalem. The insulated neighborhood is one of the oldest Jewish areas in the city and accordingly, life revolves around the many strict religious rules and traditions. Men can be seen wearing the traditional black frock coats with white shirts and stiff black hats to cover their heads. Women usually dress in black, long skirts and blouses and cover their heads with a headscarf or a wig. Additionally, the households in Mea She’arim reject most technology, including computers, televisions and radios as well as newspapers and magazines. Instead, important messages and news are glued onto walls or one of the numerous billboards that can be seen everywhere. Next to the messages, there are also the so called “modesty posters”, big notices with bold print that urge visitors to wear at least knee length clothing as well as tops with sleeves. Since the inhabitants of Mea She’arim also don’t want to become a major tourist attraction, photography is forbidden within the neighborhood and visitors are generally encouraged to blend in.
The residents of Mea She’arim might be suspicious of strangers, but if you make the effort to follow the rules and blend in, you will find the people to be nothing but honest, helpful and friendly. Those looking for bargains and reasonable prices will discover a great selection of interesting goods in the shopping district and it is worthwhile to purchase typical Jewish necessities and clothes, visit one of the bookstores and follow the mouthwatering smells into one of the many bakeries. The bakeries could even be called the main attractions of the neighborhood, so make sure not to miss out on the Sufganiyah, delicious round jelly doughnuts topped with powdered sugar.
Practical Info
The Mea She’arim neighborhood can be found outside the old city in the northern part of Jerusalem. Make sure to wear modest clothing when visiting and refrain from taking pictures.
Address: Jerusalem, Israel
From $ 35
Mdina
The former capital of Malta, this historic hilltop settlement—known as the Silent City—features honey-hued palazzos and centuries-old buildings. The town center, a knot of shady and quiet streets, is shielded from the hubbub and traffic of the outside world by thick walls that date back to between the 16th and 18th centuries.
The Basics
One of Malta’s most atmospheric destinations, Mdina is a common stop on many hop-on hop-off tour bus routes. Sightseeing tours departing from Valletta often include a guided visit of Mdina, as well as making stops at Rabat, the Blue Grotto cave network, the Hagar Qim temple complex, and Golden Bay. To see Mdina at its most tranquil, opt for a night tour and explore the city’s peaceful streets after the day-tripping crowds have departed.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Mdina is a must for history buffs and architecture lovers.
- Mdina’s streets feature cobbles and flagstones, so wear appropriate walking shoes.
- The walled town is wheelchair accessible, with level access available. St. Paul’s Cathedral is also wheelchair accessible, though many other attractions are not.
How to Get There
Mdina is situated about 8 miles (13 kilometers) east of Valletta. Driving between the two cities takes about 20 minutes. Public bus routes 51, 52, and 53 connect Valletta to Mdina.
When to Get There
Mdina is magical year-round, though the main drag can become crowded during the peak summer months of June, July, and August. Come in early evening after the day-trippers have left to see the fortified city at its silent best. After dark, it’s bathed in an attractive golden light.
Highlights of Mdina
Mdina’s biggest attraction is St. Paul’s Cathedral. The baroque-style cathedral is dedicated to Malta’s patron saint, who supposedly came to the island in AD 60. While the exterior is restrained, the interior boasts an array of gilding, stonework, marble, frescoes, and elaborately decorated chapels. For more information about the history of Mdina, visit the Mdina Experience, where informational films recount key episodes from Malta’s history.
Address: Malta
From $ 23