Malta: City Sightseeing HOHO Bus Tour & Optional Boat Tour

Malta’s two open-top bus routes cover an impressive stretch of the island, from medieval Mdina and Roman sites to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the temples near the Blue Grotto. You can ride the full circuits or hop off where you want more time.

I especially like the wide reach of the routes and the chance to see places that are awkward to connect by public transport. The optional harbor cruise is another strong point, giving you a fresh view of Valletta and the surrounding harbors. The main catch is timing: one day is rarely enough for both routes and meaningful stops.

Key points to know

• More than 30 stops cover Malta’s main sights, including Mdina, Mosta, Marsaxlokk, Tarxien, and the Blue Grotto.
• The South Route is the stronger sightseeing day if ancient temples, fishing villages, and sea views appeal to you.
• A two-day pass is the sensible choice if you want to hop off rather than simply ride the circuits.
• The harbor cruise can be used separately, giving you more flexibility than the bus timetable.
• Audio commentary is available in 13 languages, though sound ports, headphones, and volume can be unreliable.
• Bring sun protection and check every stop carefully, since some stops are poorly marked and upper-deck seats can remain wet after rain.

Two bus routes for seeing Malta

The City Sightseeing Malta tour is built around two long circuits. The North Route takes about 210 minutes without getting off, while the South Route takes about 180 minutes. Those times are useful for planning, but they do not include the hours you will need at Mdina, the temples, Marsaxlokk, or the Blue Grotto.

The buses operate daily, with the North Route leaving Stop N1 at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30. The South Route leaves Stop S10 at 9:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 1:05, and 2:05. The timetable is not generous enough to treat the bus like an urban service that arrives every few minutes.

That matters because Malta’s roads can be slow, especially around Valletta and during busy periods. A late bus can upset a carefully planned connection, and one missed departure may cost you a large part of the day. I would start early, carry the timetable, and avoid planning a must-see boat departure immediately after a long bus leg.

You can board near Bugibba, Qawra, St Julian’s, Sliema, or Valletta. For mobile vouchers, redemption is required at Sliema Ferries, Stop 17, or Valletta Waterfront Terminus, Stop 20. Paper vouchers can be redeemed at any bus stop. In Valletta, allow extra time to find the correct company and stop, since several sightseeing operators use similar pickup areas.

The North Route from Bugibba to Mdina

The North Route begins around Bugibba and Qawra, then follows the coast toward St Julian’s, Sliema, and Valletta before heading inland. Early stops include the Malta National Aquarium, Qawra seafront, Mediterraneo Marine Park, and the hotels and bays around St Julian’s.

This part of the route works best as a scenic orientation ride. You will pass modern resort districts, small bays, and busy waterfront areas before the scenery changes inland. If you are staying in Bugibba, Qawra, or St Julian’s, the route gives you a practical way to reach Valletta without arranging separate transport.

The North Route then reaches San Anton Gardens, the Ta’ Qali Aviation Museum, Mosta Church, Mdina, Rabat, and Golden Bay. The stop list is broad, but you should not assume you can visit every site in one day. Getting off at three or four major places may already fill the available bus timetable.

Mosta Church and the Ta’ Qali stop

Mosta Church is one of the route’s most recognizable sights. Its large dome is easy to spot from the bus, and the stop makes sense for anyone interested in Malta’s churches and architecture.

Nearby Ta’ Qali includes a craft village and an aviation museum. These are different kinds of stops, which is useful if your group has mixed interests. You can pair Mosta with Ta’ Qali, but check the next departure before getting off. Long gaps between buses can turn a short visit into a major delay.

The audio guide provides background in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Danish, and Finnish. In practice, the commentary can be brief. Some passengers have also found that the sound is too quiet, out of sync, or unavailable because of faulty headphones or audio ports. Bring your own sense of place and use the ride as an introduction, not as a full guided lecture.

Mdina and Rabat deserve your time

Mdina is one of the best reasons to choose this tour. The old fortified town has a compact medieval core, stone lanes, and a quieter feel than Malta’s resort districts. The bus stops at Mdina Main Gate, making it simple to get off and explore on foot.

Allow real time here. A quick photo at the gate will not show you much. Mdina works best when you walk its streets without rushing, then continue into Rabat if Roman remains and religious sites interest you.

Rabat includes the Domus Romana, a restored Roman villa, and St Agatha’s Catacombs. These attractions usually involve separate admission, so the bus ticket does not cover them. You will need to decide which sites fit your day and budget.

Golden Bay is the North Route’s coastal finish. It gives you a change from fortified towns and inland monuments, with open sea views and a more relaxed stop. The North Route is useful for combining Mdina, Mosta, and Malta’s northwest coast, but the full circuit is long and may feel more like transport than sightseeing if you stay aboard the entire time.

The South Route reaches Malta’s oldest sights

For many people, the South Route is the more rewarding of the two. It runs through Valletta and continues to the Tarxien Temples, Vittoriosa Waterfront, Marsaxlokk, Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia, the Blue Grotto, and the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples.

The route also passes through the St Julian’s and Sliema corridor, so you can board from several busy parts of the island. Valletta Waterfront is the main change point between the two routes. If you are staying in Valletta, it is a logical place to begin, though you should confirm the departure direction before boarding.

Tarxien Temples and the Three Cities

The Tarxien Temples are among the South Route’s most important archaeological stops. They are associated with a period around 3000 BC, giving you a direct connection to Malta’s prehistoric past. Entry is not included, so check the available visiting hours before committing to the stop.

The route then reaches Vittoriosa Waterfront, part of Malta’s famous Three Cities. The fortified settlements here offer a different view of Malta from Valletta. Instead of seeing the capital from within its walls, you get a sense of the harbors, defensive positions, and old waterfront communities that shaped the island’s story.

This is a good place to hop off if you want a less formal walk through historic Malta. The stop is also useful for anyone who prefers harbor views to museums. As always, note the next bus time before leaving the vehicle.

Marsaxlokk is the best village stop

Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village and one of the most appealing stops on the South Route. The harbor setting gives you a pleasant break from churches, fortifications, and archaeological sites. It is the sort of place where you can slow down, walk by the water, and have a meal or drink, though food and drinks are not part of the ticket.

The stop is especially valuable because it shows a more everyday side of Malta. You are not simply moving from one major monument to another. Marsaxlokk gives the route a local, coastal character.

Do not combine too many stops with Marsaxlokk unless you have a full day. The route covers a lot of ground, but the bus timetable limits how long you can spend in each village. If you want lunch here, treat it as one of the day’s main stops rather than a quick add-on.

Blue Grotto and the prehistoric temples

The Blue Grotto is one of the tour’s headline sights. The bus brings you to the viewpoint and surrounding area, where you can see Malta’s dramatic southern coast. Boat trips into the caves are not included, so you should treat the Blue Grotto as a scenic stop unless you arrange and pay for a separate cave excursion.

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra are another major reason to take the South Route. These prehistoric temples sit near the coast and are among Malta’s most significant ancient sites. Their remote setting adds to the appeal, but it also makes the bus particularly useful. Renting a car is not necessary simply to reach this part of the island.

Give yourself enough time here. The temples are not a five-minute photo stop, and a missed bus can leave you waiting in a fairly exposed area. Sun protection is important, especially on the upper deck and around open archaeological sites.

The South Route’s combination of Tarxien, Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, and Hagar Qim makes it the better choice for a single sightseeing day. You still need to choose carefully, but the stops feel more varied and memorable than a day spent only riding through resort districts.

Add the harbor cruise for a different view

The optional harbor cruise is a useful companion to the bus tour. From the water, you see Valletta, the waterfront, and the surrounding harbor areas from an angle that the road routes cannot provide. The cruise has been praised for its organization and informative guide, making it a stronger narrated element than the bus commentary can sometimes be.

I would save the boat for a separate day if your ticket allows it. A one-day bus ticket with harbor cruise gives you one day for the bus, while the cruise can be used within three days of activation. A two-day bus ticket does not have to be used on consecutive days and can be used within five days of voucher activation. The harbor cruise on that option also has a five-day use period.

This flexibility helps if traffic disrupts your plans. One passenger nearly missed the cruise after delays, so leave a generous gap between your final bus arrival and the boat departure. The cruise is also a good choice when you want a quieter activity after a long day of walking.

Is the $33 price good value?

At about $33 per person, the basic price is reasonable if you use the bus to reach several parts of Malta. The value is strongest for visitors who want Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, and the temples without renting a car or arranging several separate transfers.

The price is less attractive if you remain on the bus for only one short circuit. The route is long, and the best value comes from getting off at major sights. If you want the harbor cruise too, check the exact option and price before booking, since the boat is included only when selected.

A two-day pass costs more than a one-day ticket, but it is the sensible choice for a relaxed visit. You can give the North Route one day, the South Route another, and use the boat on a separate day where the ticket terms allow. That plan also protects you from road delays and leaves room for longer visits in Mdina and Marsaxlokk.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Use these simple habits to avoid the most common problems:

• Start early. The route times finish relatively early, and you cannot fit both circuits properly into a late start.
• Confirm the route direction. Check that you are boarding City Sightseeing and that the bus is running North or South as planned.
• Take a timetable. Buses do not arrive often enough to rely on guesswork.
• Check the stop marker. Some pickup points are not clearly signed, and several sightseeing companies operate around the same areas.
• Test the headphones immediately. If the commentary is silent or too quiet, report it before leaving the stop.
• Bring sunscreen. The upper deck can be very exposed, and wet seats may remain soaked after rain.
• Keep a time buffer before the cruise. Traffic and roadworks can add delays.
• Plan one major stop per section. Trying to visit every advertised attraction can leave you spending the day waiting for buses.

The buses have basic seating, and longer rides may become uncomfortable. Air conditioning and audio equipment have also been inconsistent. For the best view, sit upstairs when the weather is dry, but carry a hat and sunscreen.

Who should book this Malta bus tour?

I would book it if you are visiting Malta for the first time, want to cover several distant sights, or prefer not to rent a car. It is also useful for solo visitors, since you can move around the island without working out every bus connection yourself.

It suits people who value coverage over a detailed guided visit. You will see a great deal, but the commentary is not always deep, and the bus does not replace a full tour inside Mdina, the temples, or the catacombs.

Choose the two-day option if your schedule allows. Use one day for the South Route and its ancient sites, another for Mdina and the North Route, then fit in the harbor cruise according to the ticket rules. Choose one day only if you plan to stay mostly aboard or focus on the South Route.

FAQ

How long are the North and South bus routes?

The North Route takes about 210 minutes, and the South Route takes about 180 minutes when completed without getting off.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

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

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.

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.

Can I use the harbor cruise on a different day?

Yes, the permitted period depends on your ticket. With the one-day bus and harbor cruise option, the boat can be used within three days of activation. With the two-day option, the harbor cruise can be used within five days of voucher activation.

Does the two-day bus pass have to be used on consecutive days?

No. The two-day bus ticket can be used within five days of activation and does not have to be used on consecutive days.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a practical overview of Malta’s major sights and are willing to plan around a fixed timetable. The South Route offers the strongest single day, especially for Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, and the ancient temples. Add the North Route for Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, and Golden Bay.

For the best value, choose two days and use the harbor cruise separately. Just do not expect perfect stop signage, constant buses, or a detailed audio lecture. This is a broad sightseeing tool, not a substitute for slow exploration. Used with realistic timing, it gives you an efficient first look at an island that is otherwise surprisingly complicated to cover in one day.