Malta: City Sightseeing HOHO Bus Tour & Optional Boat Tour

Malta’s best sights are spread across the island, and this open-top bus tour links them without asking you to drive through narrow streets or work out a complicated public transport plan. You can follow the North Route past Mosta, Mdina, Rabat, and Golden Bay, then use the South Route for the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, and ancient temples.

I like the wide range of stops and the chance to see small fishing villages as well as Malta’s famous monuments. I also like the optional harbor cruise, which gives you a welcome change from the road and can be used on a separate day with some ticket options. The catch is timing: the routes are long, buses can be delayed by traffic, and you will not realistically explore every stop in one day.

Key points to know before you ride

• Two very different routes: The North Route focuses on Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, Ta’ Qali, and the northwest coast. The South Route covers temples, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, and Blue Grotto.
• More than 30 stops: You can use the bus for transport between major sights, not just as a sightseeing loop.
• A full day on the road: The North circuit takes about 210 minutes and the South circuit about 180 minutes without getting off.
• Mdina is a priority stop: The old fortified city is one of the most rewarding places to leave the bus and explore on foot.
• The cruise adds real value: The harbor trip offers views of Valletta and Malta’s fortified waterfront from the sea.
• Plan around the timetable: Routes run every day, but departures finish early enough that late starts can leave you with only one circuit.

What this Malta bus tour actually covers

This is not one short city loop. It is a set of long island routes designed to connect Malta’s main sightseeing areas. The buses begin in the northern resort area around Bugibba and Qawra, pass through St Julian’s and Sliema, then reach Valletta before heading either north or south.

The North Route takes about 210 minutes for the full circuit. Listed departures from the first stop begin at 8am and continue through the afternoon, with gaps between buses. The South Route takes about 180 minutes, with departures beginning at 9:05am and continuing until 2:05pm from its listed starting point.

Those timings matter. You can ride both routes in one day only if you start early and accept very short stops. I would use one route per day if you have the two-day pass. That gives you time to leave the bus at Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the temples, or the Blue Grotto instead of watching Malta through a bus window.

The buses are open-top, which is useful for seeing Malta’s honey-colored stone buildings, coast, and fortified walls. The upper deck also gets strong sun, so bring sunscreen. After rain, check the seats before sitting down because water can collect in the cushions.

The North Route, from Bugibba to Mdina and Golden Bay

The North Route begins around Bugibba and Qawra, with stops near the Malta National Aquarium, Qawra seafront, Mediterraneo Marine Park, and the hotels around St Julian’s. These areas are useful starting points if you are staying in Malta’s northern resort belt.

The bus then runs through St Julian’s, Balluta Bay, Sliema, and the Valletta area. Sliema Ferries is especially important because it is both a bus stop and the departure point used for the harbor cruise. The route also connects with Valletta Waterfront, where you can change between the North and South routes.

From Valletta, the bus heads inland toward San Anton Gardens, then Ta’ Qali. Ta’ Qali Craft Village and the Aviation Museum give you a different side of Malta, away from the grand city walls and church interiors. The stop is useful if you want local crafts or aviation history, but you will need to check the bus schedule before getting off.

Mosta is one of the route’s strongest stops. The town is known for its huge domed church, and the bus makes it easy to include without arranging a separate ride. The church is a quick sightseeing stop compared with Mdina, so it can work well on a tight schedule.

Mdina and Rabat are worth your longest stop

If I had to pick one North Route stop, I would choose Mdina Main Gate. Mdina is Malta’s medieval walled town, with quiet lanes, stone buildings, and views over the island from its elevated position. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but you should allow more time than a quick photo stop.

Nearby Rabat adds Roman and early Christian sites. The route lists the Domus Romana, the restored Roman Villa, and St Agatha’s Catacombs. These places help explain Malta’s long timeline, from Roman domestic life to underground burial spaces.

You should not assume that every listed attraction is included in the bus ticket. Entry fees for the Blue Grotto caves and other attractions are separate, and the same applies to paid museums and historic sites. The bus gets you close, but the visit itself may require an additional ticket and more time.

The route continues to Golden Bay on Malta’s northwest coast before returning toward Bugibba. Golden Bay gives the circuit a coastal finish, although the full loop is long. If you are staying in Valletta or Sliema, you may find it more practical to use the North Route for Mdina and Rabat rather than riding all the way to Bugibba.

The South Route reaches Malta’s oldest sights

The South Route is the better choice if your main interests are ancient temples, fishing villages, and the southern coast. It passes through Valletta and then heads toward Tarxien, Vittoriosa, Marsaxlokk, Birzebbugia, the Blue Grotto, and Hagar Qim and Mnajdra.

Tarxien Temples are among Malta’s major prehistoric sites. They are generally dated to around 3000 BC, making them far older than the Roman and medieval places on the North Route. If you care about archaeology, this stop gives the South Route much of its purpose.

The bus then reaches Vittoriosa Waterfront, part of Malta’s famous Three Cities. Vittoriosa, also called Birgu, faces the Grand Harbour and is surrounded by fortifications and maritime history. The Three Cities are not simply a drive-by view, so allow time to get off if you want to walk along the waterfront and through the old streets.

Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, and the temple stops

Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village and one of the most appealing stops on the South Route. It offers a slower, more local-looking break from Valletta’s fortifications and Malta’s large resort areas. You can leave the bus here, walk around the harbor, and then continue on a later departure if the timetable allows.

The route continues to Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia before reaching the Blue Grotto. The coastal views are the main attraction from the bus, while entry to the caves is not included. That distinction is important: your ticket gets you to the stop, but any separate cave visit costs extra and depends on the available operation at the site.

The final major stops are Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. These prehistoric sites are among the most important places on the South Route, but they need time. If you get off here, you may not be able to fit Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, and the Blue Grotto into the same day.

The South Route then returns through Valletta. Some buses may run late because of traffic, and roadworks or narrow streets can slow the trip. I would avoid booking a time-sensitive activity immediately after the bus, especially the harbor cruise. One delay can affect the rest of your plan.

The harbor cruise is more than an extra add-on

The optional harbor cruise is the part I would save for a separate day if your ticket allows it. From the water, you get a different view of Valletta’s walls, the Grand Harbour, and the fortified waterfront. After a long day on the bus, sitting on the boat can also be a pleasant way to keep sightseeing without more walking.

For the one-day bus and cruise option, the bus ticket is valid for one day, while the harbor cruise can be used within three days of activation. With the two-day bus and cruise option, the bus ticket can be used over two days, not necessarily consecutive days, within five days of activation. The cruise can also be used within five days.

That flexibility changes the value calculation. At around $33 per person, the ticket is most useful if you ride at least one full route and use the cruise. If you only stay on for a short loop and do not use the boat, ordinary public transport may be cheaper, though less direct for a first visit.

Audio commentary, comfort, and bus quality

An audio guide is available in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Danish, and Finnish. The driver speaks English, while the recorded commentary lets you follow the route in your preferred language.

The commentary gives useful background, but it is not equally strong on every section. Some travelers have found it too brief, out of sync, or too quiet. Headphones and audio sockets can also be unreliable, so test yours before the bus leaves. Bring the map and timetable, and do not depend only on the recording to tell you where you are.

The buses themselves are functional rather than luxurious. Upper-deck seating gives the best views, but the benches can become uncomfortable on a three-hour circuit. Air-conditioning may feel weak, and some seats or headphone ports may need attention.

The main practical problem is stop information. Malta has more than one sightseeing bus operator, and several pickup points are not clearly marked. Mobile vouchers must be exchanged at Sliema Ferries, Stop 17, or Valletta Waterfront Terminus, Stop 20. Paper vouchers can be exchanged at any bus stop.

At Valletta, allow extra time to find the correct stop and confirm that you are boarding the City Sightseeing bus. This is especially important if several brightly colored buses are nearby.

How to plan one day or two

If you have one day, choose one route. I would pick the South Route for Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, and Blue Grotto. Choose the North Route instead if Mdina and Rabat are at the top of your list.

If you have two days, use the North Route on the first day and the South Route on the second, or reverse that order based on your location. Spend your longer walking stops at Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, or the temples. You cannot see all of these properly while also completing both circuits.

A workable plan looks like this:

• Start early, especially if you are trying to cover a full route.
• Check the printed timetable before getting off.
• Pick one or two major stops per route.
• Keep a buffer before the cruise or another fixed booking.
• Bring water, sunscreen, and a light layer for the upper deck.
• Use the cruise on a separate day when possible.

The buses operate every day, but the service day does not run late into the evening. A late start can mean missing the last circuit, particularly if buses are delayed by traffic or crowded streets.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want a broad view of Malta without renting a car. It is also useful for solo visitors, families who prefer a clear sightseeing framework, and anyone staying outside Valletta who wants direct access to the island’s major sights.

It works less well for you if you want long, quiet visits at many sites. The route is ambitious, and the timetable forces choices. Independent visitors who are comfortable with local transport may prefer to visit one area in depth instead of crossing much of Malta in one day.

The open-top format is also weather-dependent. On a hot day, the upper deck can be tiring. After rain, wet seats are possible. The lower deck gives shelter, but you lose some of the open views.

Should you book the Malta hop-on hop-off tour?

Book it if you want to cover a lot of Malta with limited planning, especially if you can use the two-day pass. The South Route, Mdina stop, and harbor cruise offer the strongest reasons to choose it. The price is fair when you use the bus as transport to several distant sights rather than treating it as a short panoramic ride.

Skip it if you have only a few hours, need exact departure times, or want detailed commentary at every site. The audio can be limited, stop signs are not always clear, and traffic can disrupt a tightly packed schedule.

My practical choice would be the two-day option with the cruise, then one major route per day. Start early, keep your plans loose, and treat the bus as a useful island connector rather than a magic way to see every Maltese sight in a single afternoon.

FAQ

How long are the North and South bus routes?

The North Route takes about 210 minutes for the complete circuit. The South Route takes about 180 minutes, not counting time spent getting off the bus.

How many stops does the tour have?

The tour has more than 30 stops and passes more than 50 points of interest across Malta.

What are the main North Route sights?

The North Route includes San Anton Gardens, Ta’ Qali, Mosta Church, Mdina, Rabat, the Domus Romana, and Golden Bay. It also serves Bugibba, Qawra, St Julian’s, Sliema, and Valletta.

What are the main South Route sights?

The South Route includes Tarxien Temples, Vittoriosa Waterfront, Marsaxlokk, Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia, Blue Grotto, and Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples.

Is entry to the Blue Grotto caves included?

No. Entry to the Blue Grotto caves and other attractions is not included in the bus ticket.

Is the harbor cruise included?

The harbor cruise is included only when you select the bus and harbor cruise option.

Can I use the bus ticket over two days?

Yes. The two-day bus ticket can be used over two days, and the days do not need to be consecutive. It must be used within five days of voucher activation.

Where do I redeem a mobile voucher?

Mobile vouchers must be redeemed at Sliema Ferries, Stop 17, or Valletta Waterfront Terminus, Stop 20. Paper vouchers can be redeemed at any bus stop.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

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