Save

Malta Sightseeing Tour: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Optional Harbour Cruise

2.5

140 Ratings

Experience the best of Malta with a hop-on hop-off bus tour and optional harbour cruise. Explore Malta's top attractions, including historic sites and cultural landmarks, at your own pace.

Duration: 6 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Hop-on Hop-off North Tour (Route)

Operating Schedule: North Route departure times from Stop 1:
8:00am - 14:30pm
Every 30/60 minutes. Operates daily

1. Topaz Hotel
Bugibba (Topaz Hotel/ Pebbles Hotel)

2. Bugibba
Pebbles Hotel

3. Bugibba
Seastrips Outlet

4. Bugibba
Bugibba Centre (Opposite HSBC)

5. Bugibba
Bugibba (Santana Hotel)

6. Malta National Aquarium
Malta National Aquarium

7. QAWRA Palace Resort & SPA
Qawra Palace Hotel (Bus Stop opposite Hotel)

8. Qawra Point Beach
Qawra Seafront (Opposite CitySightseeing Outlet)

9. Bella Vista Hotel Malta
Bellavista Hotel

10. Car Rental Office
ITS Roundabout (Radisson & Corinthia Hotels Roundabout)

11. Ninou’s Grill & Cocktails
St. George’s Bay (CitySightseeing Route Stage)

Westin Dragonara

13. 31 Vjal Portomaso
Hilton Roundabout

14. 6 St George’s Road
Spinola Bay

15. Antik
Balluta Bay (opposite Balluta Church)

16. Chalet
Sliema Seafront (Opposite Prelune Hotel)

17. VFS Sliema
Sliema Ferries

18. 1 Triq Sir Frederick C. Ponsonby
Opposite Bayview Hotel (City Sightseeing Outlet)

19. Publiju
Valletta City Centre

20. 31 Xatt Lascaris
Valletta Waterfront Terminus (Change for South Route)

21. Strickland
San Anton Gardens

22. VCR9+868
Ta’ Qali Crafts Village

23. Malta Aviation Museum
Ta’ Qali Aviation Museum

24. 291a Triq Il-Kbira
Mosta Church

25. Mdina Gate
Mdina Main Gate

26. W8PW+4HQ
Golden Bay

Points of Interest

Buggiba Perched Beach
Qawra
Malta National Aquarium
Mediterraneo Marine Park
St. George’s Bay
Sliema Promenade
Valletta
Blue Grotto (Il-Hnejja)
Golden Bay

Hop-on Hop-off South Route (Route)

Operating Schedule: South Route departure times from Stop 1:
9:05am - 14:05pm
Every 30 minutes. Operates daily

1. Car Rental Office
ITS Roundabout (Radisson & Corinthia Hotels Roundabout)

2. Ninou’s Grill & Cocktails
St. George’s Bay (CitySightseeing Route Stage)

Westin Dragonara

4. 31 Vjal Portomaso
Hilton Roundabout

Spinola Bay

6. Antik
Balluta Bay (Opposite Balluta Church)

7. Chalet
Sliema Seafront (Opposite Prelune Hotel)

8. VFS Sliema
Sliema Ferries

9. 1 Triq Sir Frederick C. Ponsonby
Opposite Bayview Hotel (CitySightseeing Outlet)

10. Publiju
Valletta City Centre

Valletta - Malta Experience/ Fort St Elmo

12. 31 Xatt Lascaris
Valletta Waterfront Terminus

Vittoriosa Waterfront
Esplora Science Centre
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Ghar Dalam Cave
Blue Grotto
Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples

Points of Interest

Hagar Qim Temples
Blue Grotto (Il-Hnejja)

What's Included

Vouchers valid for 1 year from travel date
24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off access
Multilingual on-board audio commentary + free headphones
Discount booklet for eateries, shops, and attractions
Optional Hop On Hop Off Harbour Cruise

What's Not Included

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)

Additional Information

Regardless of the time your cruise ship docks in Malta, this is the ideal self-guided shore excursion. Explore the prime attractions of Malta on this City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour that offers comprehensive commentary and a safe, comfortable environment. Proud of more than 7,000 years of history, Malta overflows with fascinating spots and points of interest. Take in everything via two routes around Valletta that feature landmarks such as the Mosta Church and Dome, Ta’Qali Craft Village, Rabat and numerous Roman sites.

To enhance your Malta journey, we’ve included a Harbour Cruise (usable within 3 days of pass activation) - guiding you around Valletta’s harbour with its breathtaking military fortifications, allowing you to hop off and explore the Esplora Interactive Science Museum (entrance fee not included). Please be aware this only applies to the bus & harbour cruise ticket.

North Route: Operates every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
North Route: Departures from Stop N1 at 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm
Tour duration - 210 minutes
South Route: Operates every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
South Route: Departures from Stop S10 at 9:05am, 10:05am, 11:05am, 12:05pm, 1:05pm and 2:05pm
Tour duration - 180 minutes
1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Harbour Cruise: Bus ticket is valid for 1 calendar day. Harbour Cruise can be used within 3 days of voucher activation
Harbour Cruise:- Main embarkation point: Sliema Ferries. Departure times from Sliema Ferries: 10:30, 12:30 and 14:45. Stops include: Esplora (Kalkara) and Sliema Ferries. Customers may hop on and off the cruise at any of the stopping points however, timetables change regularly so they will need to check locally for the latest timetable and stop off times.
Note: Please be aware that boarding on the cruises is on a first come first served basis so we recommend arriving apx. 15 minutes before departure time to have the best chance of securing a place on the cruise.
Cruise Passenger Info: Arrivals will be required to walk to Bus Stop 16, the Silema Ferries, as this is the closest stop to the cruise port. Inside the Cruise Terminal is a City Sightseeing Kiosk who can provide customers with directions and any additional information to guide them to this shore excursion.
With your voucher, enjoy flexible access for up to 12 months from the travel date you select at check-out.
Mobile vouchers must be redeemed at Sliema Ferries (Stop 17) or Valletta Waterfront Terminus (Stop 20). Paper vouchers can be redeemed at any of the bus stops
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please note times and frequencies are subject to change at any time so please check locally for the latest information

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

2.5

(140 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Gregg_m

Aug 23, 2023

Did the North bus route.... - Did the North bus route. 3.5hours - not a great deal to see, although a couple of good stops, such as Medina, Sileni and Valletta. Visited on a cruise excursion, would advise anyone on a short visit, to take the shorter cruise passenger bus and spend more time exploring Valletta

Review provided by Viator

Davorin

Oct 31, 2023

Okay, but hard to find a bus. Definitely recommend embarking on a bus you encounter on the way rather than booking it in advance - There is no clear info where to get on the bus. I was not able to find the right one (there are two companies providing such bus tours in Malta) until later that day, when there was only enough time to go on a quick round, without leaving the bus. If you decide to go, I definitely recommend just walking on one of the buses and buying the ticket on the spot, rather than booking it in advance. The ticket is also much cheaper if you buy it on the bus. Otherwise the tour is okay. There are two bus tracks: red and blue and you can switch between them on a certain bus stop. They visit all the important spots in Malta, where you can disembark and later embark on another bus to continue the journey. There is also audio guide on the bus. If it doesn't work with your headphones you can ask the conductor to give you free ones.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Paul_d

Aug 8, 2023

Long wait for pickup got... - Long wait for pickup got off twice and ended up waiting for about an hour for bus to come both times

Review provided by Viator

Thargon

Feb 21, 2023

Do do this from St.Paul’s in February. - This seemed like such a good idea. In the winter they do the North and South Routes on alternate days. The journey was okay through many built up areas, interspersed with history. You will need to take a coat as the wind can be chilly. We didn’t realise the significance of the alternating days until we found that we were heading back to the place we had visited hours earlier. We asked the driver if we were going to be taken back to where we got on, NO. We were to be taken back to Valletta marina and then get onto a separate bus that would bring us all back to our starting point in St Paul’s. This would’ve added ages to our day, so we got off and bought another bus ticket to come home.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Richard

Feb 15, 2023

Would definitely not recommend - Got to our destination eventually on what started out as a reasonably quiet if late bus, however by the time we got to our destination it was standing room only with very little space to stand, to make matters worse at the port to meet the ferry the driver wouldn’t let anyone depart the bus until all the people that were waiting to get on had boarded the bus resulting in a crush with people trying to make room for them. Children crying and adults arguing. Tried to get the bus back to the hotel later in the day , eventually found one going the other way only to be told by the driver we would be better off catching public transport to get back ! Spent £30 on a taxi but glad I did. Ferry trip was excellent but spoilt by the journey there and the thought of the journey home. Do the ferry trip but public bus or taxi to get there

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Drennan14

Feb 28, 2024

Awful and not worth the money - Awful over crowded buses only arriving every hour and going through areas with no tourist attractions on very boring routes.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Climber726913

Aug 22, 2023

Mobile Hell Hole - If your idea of a good time is burning under the blistering Maltese sun while trying to hold you nose against the stench of vomit, then this is the tour for you. Seriously, this is the worst HOHO bus tour I’ve ever had the misfortune of experiencing. The bulk of the stops on the north route are at hotels with very few actual sights. So effectively you’re paying for a very expensive bus. If you want to go to Mdina, there are direct local buses for a 1/4 of the price of this mobile hell hole. And they are air conditioned. Or book an Uber! To cap it all the driver tried to flog us water for €1 a bottle after he jumped out (leaving engine on and keys in ignition) at a local shop to buy at considerably less. What was really alarming though was the bus stop at Mdina. Basically the disembarking and embarking passengers are sandwiched between the buses and some railings while the buses attempt to move forward with their doors open and people at risk of crushing. There is likely to be a serious injury there soon and both the local council and the bus operators need to address this.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Steveyw7310ht

Aug 10, 2023

Avoid the Hop on Hop off Red Bus - Terrible experience with this company, would never use again. If I could have given no stars I would have, had to give 1. Bought a ticket that should have enabled us to use all three bus routes - red and yellow every 30 mins, blue every 15 mins. At Mdina where we'd arrived on a yellow bus from the Port, we waited over 45 minutes for any of the buses to arrive before the same yellow bus we came on arrived. Other people had waited over 1 1/2 hours. In theory, every 30 mins there should be 2 red and yellow buses and 3 blue - nothing!! Use Malta Sightseeing not the Red buses. Writing this on our return to Valletta from Mdina instead of seeing the rest of the island, we don't want to waste our day waiting for buses that aren't going to arrive. Complete waste of 50 Euros. Wifi didn't work either.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Rhangwin

Apr 7, 2023

Hop on and quickly wish you had hopped off. - An awful experience. Spent more time sitting on a stationary bus than a moving o e. Made to change bus for no apparent reason. They need to clean the bus. Make sure audio works. Explain that there are no services departing port after 4pm. Taxis, electric cars from quayside and ordinary buses arr much better value. Avoid this company at all costs.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Excesshenleyonthames

Feb 13, 2023

Couldn't wait to get off! - It had rained earlier but was dry and sunny when we got on the bus around noon. The seats looked dry but little did we know they were worn and split so the upholstery had soaked up the earlier rain like a sponge; we all got wet bottoms. There was no commentary either as the sockets for the headphones didn't work, I don't know why they bothered giving out headphones as the other passengers' sockets were faulty too. The bus needs a renovation or scrapping. We wrote off the 20 euros and got a public bus the rest of the way.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

From $30

Select Date and Tickets

up to 15 guests

1 Adult