Malta: City Sightseeing HOHO Bus Tour & Optional Boat Tour

Malta’s two long open-top bus routes give you a useful first look at an island packed with forts, temples, fishing villages, and sea views. I especially like the South Route, which links the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, and Hagar Qim, and the chance to use the bus as a sightseeing ride rather than just a transfer.

I also like that a two-day ticket lets you slow down, and that the optional harbor cruise can be used on a different day. You get a broad view of Malta without renting a car. The catch is timing: the routes are lengthy, buses can run late in traffic, and you cannot realistically hop off everywhere in one day.

Key points to know before you book

• The South Route reaches Malta’s strongest sights, including Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, the Blue Grotto, and prehistoric temples.
• Mdina is the best North Route stop, with Rabat’s Roman sites close by.
• A two-day pass is far more practical if you want time off the bus.
• The harbor cruise adds a different view of Malta, and can be used within the stated validity period.
• Audio quality and bus equipment vary, so bring the route map and check your headphones early.
• Redeem a mobile voucher at Sliema Ferries or Valletta Waterfront, while paper vouchers can be used at any bus stop.

Why Malta’s bus tour works best as a grand overview

At $33 per person, this is not simply a ride around Valletta. The two routes cover much of Malta, connecting coastal resorts, inland towns, ancient sites, and old fortified settlements.

That breadth is the main value. Malta’s public transport can get you around, but planning separate buses to Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the temples, and the Blue Grotto takes time and patience. Here, you sit upstairs, plug in the audio guide, and get a broad introduction before deciding where you want to return.

The bus is open-top, so you get clear views of the coast and countryside. On sunny days, take sunscreen. On wet days, check the upper-deck seats before sitting down, since water can remain on the cushions.

I would treat this as a sightseeing framework, not a perfectly timed transport service. Traffic, roadworks, narrow streets, and heavy demand can affect the schedule. The routes also finish fairly early, so a late start can leave you with only one circuit.

The South Route has the strongest sightseeing

The South Route takes about 180 minutes if you stay aboard. Its schedule begins at Stop S10 with departures listed from 9:05 am through 2:05 pm. The route also passes through several northern pickup points before reaching the southern sights, so check the timetable carefully rather than assuming you can start at any time.

The first major stop is the Tarxien Temples, prehistoric stone structures believed to date from around 3000 BC. Entry is not included, but even the stop itself gives you a sense of how far Malta’s story reaches beyond the medieval and colonial periods.

Next comes the Three Cities, including Vittoriosa waterfront. This is one of the best places to see Malta’s fortified maritime character away from Valletta. The waterfront and old settlements offer a change from the busier resort areas, though you need to allow enough time if you hop off.

The route then reaches Marsaxlokk, a traditional fishing village. This is a natural place to stop for a walk and a meal, though food and drinks are not included in the ticket. The village is one of the most appealing stops for travelers who want a more local, less monumental side of Malta.

At Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia, you get another coastal view before the bus continues toward the Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto stop is one of the tour’s main photo opportunities, with dramatic sea cliffs and clear Mediterranean views.

The ticket does not include entry to the Blue Grotto caves. That matters because the bus stop and any separate cave visit are not the same thing. Check the local arrangements and allow time for the stop rather than assuming the bus ticket covers every activity there.

The South Route also reaches Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, two major prehistoric sites. This is one of the most worthwhile stops on the entire tour, especially if you are interested in Malta’s earliest settlements. The sites require separate admission, and timing can be important because the bus does not run continuously late into the afternoon.

Several people have found that the final temple stop was skipped on a particular run. I would confirm with the driver that the stop is operating before getting off elsewhere. If the temples are a priority, build your day around them rather than treating them as a quick extra.

The North Route leads to Mdina and Malta’s inland sights

The North Route takes about 210 minutes and lists departures from Stop N1 between 8 am and 2:30 pm. It begins around Bugibba and Qawra, runs through St Julian’s and Sliema, reaches Valletta, then heads inland and northwestern Malta.

The resort-area stops include the Malta National Aquarium, Qawra seafront, the Mediterraneo Marine Park, St George’s Bay, Spinola Bay, and Balluta Bay. These stops are useful if you are staying in the north or along the coast, but they are less compelling as historic sights than Mdina or Rabat.

The bus continues through Valletta, with stops at the city center and Valletta Waterfront. The Waterfront is also the change point between the North and South routes, so it is an important place to understand the system. If you start there, make sure you board the correct route and company bus.

At San Anton Gardens, the tour shifts inland. Ta’ Qali follows, with its Aviation Museum and craft village. These stops give you a look at Malta beyond its fortifications and beaches.

The highlight is Mosta Church, known for its large dome. Even if you do not go inside, the building is easy to recognize and makes a useful stop on the inland route.

Then comes Mdina, Malta’s old fortified city. I would make this your main North Route stop. Its narrow streets and defensive walls make it feel very different from Valletta, and the position above the surrounding area gives you wide views across the island.

Nearby Rabat adds Roman and early Christian sites, including the Domus Romana and St Agatha’s Catacombs. You cannot reasonably see every attraction at both Mdina and Rabat during a short bus stop, so choose in advance. If you want time to explore Mdina properly, the two-day ticket is the better buy.

The route returns via Golden Bay, giving you a coastal finish. Golden Bay is scenic, but you may have to choose between this stop and spending more time at Mdina or Rabat. Malta’s bus routes cover plenty of ground, but the long circuits make every hop-off decision count.

The harbor cruise fills in what the bus cannot show

The optional harbor cruise is a useful addition because Malta makes more sense from the water. From the bus, you see forts, waterfronts, and harbors in passing. From the boat, you can focus on the shoreline and the relationship between Valletta and the surrounding fortified settlements.

The cruise is connected with the Sliema Ferries stop, which is also a voucher redemption point for mobile tickets. It is not just another version of the bus tour. You get a calmer outing with sea views, and it can be a good choice when you are tired of sitting on the upper deck but still want to see more.

A one-day bus ticket with the harbor cruise allows the cruise to be used within three days of activation. With the two-day version, the bus can be used within five days and does not have to be used on consecutive days. The harbor cruise also has a five-day validity period with that option.

I would save the boat for a separate day if your schedule allows. That avoids the risk of traffic delays making you miss it. One visitor nearly missed the cruise after congestion slowed the bus, though the boat staff helped with the transfer.

One day or two days?

The one-day pass works if you mainly want to stay on board and see Malta from the top deck. You can complete a route and make one carefully chosen stop, but doing both North and South circuits in one day is difficult because of the departure times and the length of each loop.

The two-day pass is the sensible choice if you want to visit Mdina, Marsaxlokk, or the temples rather than just photograph them from the road. Use one day for the South Route and one day for the North Route. You can then place the harbor cruise on a third day if you choose the combination that allows it.

A practical plan might look like this:

• Day one: Take the South Route, stopping at the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, or the temples.
• Day two: Take the North Route and spend your main stop at Mdina and Rabat.
• Day three: Use the harbor cruise if your ticket option allows it.

You do not need to use the two bus days consecutively, which helps if you have other plans. Still, check the current timetable before setting out, since operating times and traffic can affect how much you can do.

Audio guides, headphones, and bus comfort

The recorded guide is offered in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Danish, and Finnish. That language range is useful, but the content is fairly limited compared with the amount of history outside the window.

Some visitors have found the commentary informative and well translated. Others have dealt with low volume, audio out of sync with the sights, broken headphone ports, or headphones that were uncomfortable. I would test the equipment as soon as you board and keep the printed route information available.

The driver speaks English, but the main sightseeing explanation comes through the recorded system. Do not assume that every stop will be announced clearly. Drivers have occasionally failed to announce stops or passed several listed stops, so ask before you get off if a particular site is essential.

The upper deck provides the best views, but basic seating can become uncomfortable on a long circuit. Bring sunscreen, and after rain check the seat before sitting down. Air conditioning may not feel strong enough on a hot day, while the open upper deck can be exposed to sun and wind.

Finding the right bus and starting point

The most confusing part can be the beginning. 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.

Valletta has several tour operators and bus stops, so do not simply board the first sightseeing bus you see. Check that it is the City Sightseeing service covered by your ticket. Confusion between operators has caused people to board the wrong bus and then be asked to get off.

Stop signs are not always as clear as they should be. At some locations, several companies use nearby pickup points. I would arrive early, confirm the stop with staff, and keep the route map in hand.

The mobile voucher requirement is worth noting too. If you have a phone voucher, go first to Sliema Ferries or Valletta Waterfront for redemption. A paper voucher offers more flexibility at other stops.

Price and value at $33

At $33, the tour offers good value if you use it for a full day or choose the two-day version and visit several parts of Malta. The price includes the bus, audio guide, headphones, and stops near major sights. The harbor cruise is included only if you select that option.

The ticket does not cover attraction entry, food, drinks, or the Blue Grotto caves. That is normal for this kind of island transport, but you should budget separately for temples, museums, catacombs, and any cave excursion.

The best value comes from replacing several separate transport journeys with one organized circuit. The weaker value comes if you board late, stay on for only part of one route, or spend much of the day waiting between buses.

I rate it as a practical introduction rather than a polished luxury tour. The island coverage is excellent. The equipment, signage, and schedule control are less consistent.

Who should book this Malta bus and boat tour?

I would recommend it if you are visiting Malta for the first time, want to see both coast and inland sites, or prefer not to rent a car. It also suits solo visitors who want an easy way to cover ground without building every connection themselves.

It is especially useful for a short stay when you need to decide which places deserve a longer return visit. Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, and the prehistoric temples each offer a different side of Malta.

I would hesitate if you want a detailed historical lecture, precise departure times, or a comfortable all-day ride. The commentary can be thin, bus seats are basic, and traffic may disrupt a tightly planned schedule.

Book the two-day version if you want more than a quick island overview. Choose the harbor cruise too if you want Malta’s forts and waterfronts from the sea, but keep it on a separate day when possible. For $33, this is a sensible way to get your bearings, as long as you plan around the timetable rather than treating the bus as an always-on taxi.

FAQ

How long do the North and South Routes take?

The North Route takes about 210 minutes, while the South Route takes about 180 minutes if you remain on board.

How often do the buses depart?

North Route departures from Stop N1 are listed from 8 am through 2:30 pm. South Route departures from Stop S10 are listed from 9:05 am through 2:05 pm.

Is the Blue Grotto cave entry included?

No. The ticket includes the bus stop near the Blue Grotto, but entry to the caves and other attractions is not included.

Where do I redeem a mobile voucher?

Redeem a mobile voucher at Sliema Ferries, Stop 17, or Valletta Waterfront Terminus, Stop 20. Paper vouchers can be redeemed at any bus stop.

Can I use the bus ticket over two separate days?

Yes. The two-day bus ticket does not have to be used on consecutive days and can be used within five days of activation.

Is the harbor cruise included?

The harbor cruise is included only when you select the bus and harbor cruise option. With the one-day combination, the cruise can be used within three days of activation. With the two-day combination, it can be used within five days of voucher activation.