Malta: City Sightseeing HOHO Bus Tour & Optional Boat Tour

Malta’s two long bus routes give you a useful first look at an island packed with forts, temples, fishing villages, and Roman sites. I like the South Route, with Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, Tarxien Temples, and Blue Grotto, and I like having two days to spread out the sightseeing instead of racing through it. The main catch is timing: the routes are long, buses finish fairly early, and you cannot sensibly see every stop in one day.

I also like the optional harbor cruise, which gives you a welcome change from road travel and fine views of Malta’s fortified shoreline. Be ready for uneven service, though. Stop signs may be unclear, some buses have faulty audio outlets, and traffic can make a carefully planned connection difficult.

Key points to know before you book

• Two major routes cover much of Malta: The North Route lasts about 210 minutes, while the South Route takes about 180 minutes without getting off.
• The South Route has the strongest sightseeing: It links the Three Cities, Tarxien Temples, Marsaxlokk, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, and Blue Grotto.
• Mdina is your best North Route stop: Allow time to walk through the medieval walled town and nearby Rabat.
• A two-day pass is the practical choice: The timetable makes it hard to complete both routes and enjoy several stops in one day.
• The harbor cruise is a worthwhile extra: It can be used separately from the bus, depending on the pass you select.
• Bring sunscreen and check your headphones: The upper deck has little protection from the sun, and audio equipment does not always work perfectly.

How the Malta bus tour works

This is a classic open-top hop-on hop-off service, but Malta’s size and road traffic make it more of a sightseeing transport network than a quick city loop. The routes begin around Bugibba, Qawra, and St Julian’s, pass through Valletta, then split into northern and southern circuits.

You get a recorded audio guide in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Danish, and Finnish. The driver speaks English. Commentary can add useful context, but it is not especially deep, and some audio ports or headphones may fail. Test your set soon after boarding.

A mobile voucher must be exchanged at Sliema Ferries, Stop 17, or Valletta Waterfront Terminus, Stop 20. Paper vouchers can be exchanged at any bus stop. This detail matters because several sightseeing companies operate around Malta, and the buses are not interchangeable.

The service runs daily. North Route departures from Stop N1 are listed from 8am through 2:30pm, with some gaps in the timetable. South Route departures from Stop S10 run from 9:05am through 2:05pm. Check the current schedule before setting out, since a missed bus can cost you much of the day.

North Route: from Bugibba to Mdina and Golden Bay

The North Route begins in the Bugibba and Qawra area, a useful starting point if you are staying on Malta’s northern coast. Stops include Bugibba Jetty, Bugibba Centre, the Malta National Aquarium, Qawra Seafront, and the Mediterraneo Marine Park.

This part of the route is handy for getting your bearings, but it is not the strongest section for major historic sights. The coastal ride gives you a broad look at resort areas and the island’s built-up northern side. If you are staying in St Julian’s or Sliema, you can board near Spinola Bay, Balluta Bay, or the Sliema waterfront.

The bus continues past St George’s Bay, the Westin Dragonara, Hilton Roundabout, and Sliema Ferries before reaching Valletta. The city center and Valletta Waterfront are important transfer points. If you are changing between routes, pay close attention to the signs and ask staff to confirm the bus color and direction before boarding.

Mosta and Ta’ Qali

After Valletta, the North Route turns inland toward San Anton Gardens, Ta’ Qali Craft Village, and the Aviation Museum. Ta’ Qali is a useful stop if you want to look for Maltese crafts, while the Aviation Museum offers a different side of the island’s past.

The key stop here is Mosta Church, famous for its enormous dome. Even if you do not get off, the church is one of the route’s most recognizable sights. If you do stop, check the return timetable before entering the church, since buses are not constant and the circuit is long.

Mdina and Rabat

Mdina is the North Route’s essential stop. The old city sits behind thick walls, with narrow streets, pale stone buildings, and a quieter feel than Valletta. You can walk along the main streets, look over the island from the city walls, and then continue into Rabat.

Rabat adds Roman and early Christian sites. The listed stops include Domus Romana, St Agatha’s Catacombs, and other Roman sites. These are not quick photo stops. If you want to visit even one attraction, give yourself several hours and accept that you may need to skip other stops.

This is where the hop-on hop-off format works best. You can use the bus to reach Mdina without arranging separate transport, then walk at your own pace. Still, do not assume you can visit Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, and Golden Bay in one afternoon.

Golden Bay

Golden Bay is the final major North Route point listed before the bus heads back toward Bugibba. It gives you a change from churches and archaeological sites, with an open coastal setting and a beach stop.

The complete North circuit takes about 210 minutes if you stay on the bus. With stops, meals, and waiting time, it becomes a full day. The route can also slow down in traffic, and some scheduled stops may be missed when the bus is running late. Keep the timetable with you rather than relying on the next bus arriving soon.

South Route: Malta’s strongest circuit

The South Route is the better choice if you have only one day. It covers Valletta, the Three Cities, ancient temples, Marsaxlokk, Pretty Bay, and Blue Grotto. I would start early and choose your stops before boarding.

From Valletta, the bus heads toward Tarxien Temples. These megalithic structures are believed to date from around 3000 BC, giving you a direct connection to Malta’s prehistoric past. The stop is especially valuable if you care about archaeology, but it needs enough time for a proper visit.

The route then reaches Vittoriosa Waterfront, one of the Three Cities. Vittoriosa, also known as Birgu, faces the Grand Harbour and is filled with fortified streets, old buildings, and waterfront views. The Three Cities are not just another photo stop. They help explain Malta’s military and maritime story in a way that a passing bus commentary cannot.

Marsaxlokk fishing village

Marsaxlokk is one of the most appealing stops on the whole tour. This traditional fishing village offers a slower, more local-feeling break from Malta’s fortifications and major monuments.

You can walk along the harbor, look at the colorful fishing boats, and stop for food or a drink. Leave enough time to enjoy the waterfront rather than treating Marsaxlokk as a ten-minute hop-off. The bus route is long, so check the departure time as soon as you arrive.

Pretty Bay and Blue Grotto

Pretty Bay at Birzebbugia is another coastal stop before the bus reaches Blue Grotto. It gives you a look at the southern shoreline, though you may find the stop less memorable than Marsaxlokk or the temples.

Blue Grotto is one of Malta’s best-known natural sights. The bus takes you to the viewpoint and access area, but the boat ride into the caves is not included in the ticket. The same applies to entry fees at other attractions. If you want to enter the caves by boat, you need to arrange and pay for that separately.

The Blue Grotto stop is still worthwhile for the sea views alone, but do not confuse the sightseeing bus with a cave excursion. Weather and sea conditions can affect any separate boat service, so keep your schedule flexible.

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra

The stops at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples are among the most important on the South Route. These prehistoric temples are set near the coast and offer a strong sense of how old Malta’s human story is.

Allow real time here. The temples are not a quick roadside attraction, and the return bus schedule may limit how long you can stay. Check the timetable before walking away from the stop. Some scheduled departures can be delayed, but you should not count on a long wait being convenient.

Adding the harbor cruise

The optional harbor cruise is a good partner to the bus tour because it shows Malta from a different angle. The cruise stop is at Sliema Ferries, and it focuses on harbor views, fortified waterfronts, and the relationship between Valletta and the surrounding settlements.

I would use the cruise on a separate day if you buy the two-day option. That gives you a relaxed final outing after the long bus circuits. A one-day bus and cruise ticket is valid for the bus for one day, while the harbor cruise can be used within three days of activation.

With the two-day pass, the bus can be used for two days, not necessarily consecutive days, within five days of activation. The harbor cruise can also be used within five days. These rules make the two-day package far more flexible than the one-day version.

Do not schedule the cruise too tightly after a bus connection. Traffic around Valletta and other built-up areas can create delays, and a late bus can put your boat departure at risk.

How much time do you really need?

The advertised circuit lengths are three hours for the South Route and three and a half hours for the North Route. Those figures describe staying on the bus. They do not include waiting, walking, meals, temple visits, or time inside Mdina.

A one-day pass works if you mainly want an overview and plan only one or two short stops. It is also reasonable if you are staying briefly and want to cover the South Route.

A two-day pass is the better value for most people. Use one day for the North Route, with Mdina and perhaps Mosta or Rabat, then use the other for the South Route. Add the harbor cruise on a separate day if your ticket allows it.

You cannot reliably complete both routes with meaningful stops on the same day. The buses may run about an hour apart in places, and the last departures can be early. Cruise ships and road congestion can also make the main stops busier.

Comfort, signs, and practical problems

The upper deck gives you the best views, but Malta’s sun is strong. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. After rain, check the seat before sitting down because water can collect on the upholstery.

Seats are basic and may become uncomfortable during a full circuit. Air conditioning is not always strong enough, and open-top conditions can make the ride hot. If you prefer a cooler seat, the lower deck is more practical, though you lose some of the open views.

Stop marking is inconsistent. Some locations are easy to find, while others are not clearly branded, especially where several sightseeing companies share the same area. At Valletta, Sliema, and major transfer points, confirm the exact stop and the company name before boarding.

The audio system is useful when it works, but you may find the commentary brief or out of sync with the sights. Some outlets and headphones have failed, so carry a backup plan. A paper route map or timetable is genuinely useful.

Is the $33 price good value?

At about $33 per person, the ticket is fair value if you use it for a full route or two days. Malta’s attractions are spread across the island, and the bus removes the need to arrange separate transport between Valletta, Mdina, Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, and the temples.

The value drops if you board late, stay on for only part of one circuit, or miss the last bus after a long stop. The route is designed for full-day sightseeing, not a short city ride.

The harbor cruise improves the package if you have enough time to use it. It also adds variety, which matters after several hours on a bus. Food, drinks, attraction entry, and the Blue Grotto cave boat are extra, so budget for those separately.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Malta for the first time, want to cover several distant sights, or prefer not to rent a car. It suits independent sightseers who like deciding where to get off, but who still want a fixed route and an audio guide.

It is especially useful for seeing Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, and the southern temples without building a complicated transport plan. Families and solo visitors may also find the format convenient.

I would be cautious if you want detailed guiding, exact timetable reliability, plush seating, or a quiet, slow tour. The commentary is limited, buses can be late, and the long circuits demand planning.

Should you book it?

Book the two-day option with the harbor cruise if your schedule allows it. Use one day for Mdina and the North Route, one day for the South Route, and save the cruise for a less demanding day.

Choose the one-day ticket if you mainly want the South Route and can start early. For the best experience, carry sunscreen, water, a printed timetable, and patience. This is not Malta’s most polished sightseeing service, but it is a practical way to connect the island’s major sights for a reasonable price.

FAQ

How long is the North Route?

The North Route takes about 210 minutes when completed without getting off the bus.

How long is the South Route?

The South Route takes about 180 minutes when completed without getting off the bus.

Does the tour operate every day?

Yes. The North Route and South Route both operate every day.

What time does the North Route depart?

Listed departures from Stop N1 are 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm.

What time does the South Route depart?

Listed departures from Stop S10 are 9:05am, 10:05am, 11:05am, 12:05pm, 1:05pm, and 2:05pm.

Is entry to the Blue Grotto Caves included?

No. Entry to the Blue Grotto Caves is not included in the ticket.

Is the harbor cruise included?

The harbor cruise is included only when you select the bus ticket option that includes it.

Where do I redeem a mobile voucher?

You must redeem a mobile voucher at Sliema Ferries, Stop 17, or Valletta Waterfront Terminus, Stop 20.

Where can I redeem a paper voucher?

A paper voucher can be redeemed at any bus stop.

How many languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio guide is available in 13 languages: Spanish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Danish, and Finnish.