You’re looking at doing some sightseeing and are considering a Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus tour.
We have done the tours, experienced it all, and are here to answer all the questions you may have about the Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour.
We’re going to explain the different routes, schedules, which companies offer the best bang for your buck, where you can pick up the bus if you are on a cruise, and so much more.
Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Options
There are two main bus tours that you can take when visiting Malta if you’d like to go on a hop on hop off bus tour.
Malta Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Price: €20 adults | €13 children (under 5 – free)
Routes/Stops: Two main routes with 30 stops
Website: www.maltasightseeing.com
Other Tours: They also offer a Gozo and Malta by Night Tour – only available from March to Mid-November on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour – Malta
Price for Malta: €25 adults | €18 children (option to purchase a two-day ticket for €37 per adult)
Routes/Stops: Two main routes with 35 stops
Website: www.citysightseeing.com.mt
Other Tours: Several additional tour options including Gozo and night tours; day trips to various beaches; shuttle service; and combo options (cruise and bus).
Our Pick: City Sightseeing Malta
If you are considering any sightseeing, this is by far the best way to get around. We enjoyed this Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour because it had several different routes and almost double the stops (compared to Malta Sightseeing) to get on and off. The convenience of being able to get off, explore a stop for an hour or two, and then get back on the bus without paying extra, was great. While we like exploring new places on our own, we also enjoy taking the hop on hop off tours because we know the cost and schedule associated. It’s nice not having to worry about if a taxi will be available and how much that taxi is going to cost.
One of the best moments from the City Sightseeing Tour was when we were on the far side of the island, and you could see to the other side of the country! At that point, everything came into perspective that this bus has not only driven us around the entire island, but the entire COUNTRY! For the price of €20, we don’t think you can go wrong with taking this tour.
When it comes to the audio commentary, if we’re being honest, we’re not really the biggest history buffs. We usually like to take in all the sights, and if we want to know more about something specific, we will do some research, ask locals or read the sign in front of whatever we are looking at. With this in mind, the City Sightseeing Bus Tour, really offers the best of both worlds. With plugin headphones at every seat, you can choose to listen to all of the information, or only what interests you.
Where to Buy Tickets?
There are two ways in which you can buy tickets for the City Sightseeing tour. If you know the exact date you want to take the tour, you can buy the tickets online and print them out. Otherwise, you can make your way to one of the bus stops and purchase your ticket directly on the bus. We purchased the ticket directly at the bus stop and had no problem at all! There is also no difference in price. Choose whichever option is easiest for you. Of course, it is always nice having a physical ticket in advance, but if you are looking for more flexibility, then purchasing it on the spot may be the better option!
Note: If you have the tickets on your phone (and not the physical paper ticket), you’ll have to redeem them at either the Sliema Ferries (Stop 17) or Valletta Waterfront Terminus (Stop 20). If you print off your tickets in advance, you can redeem them at any stop!
Open Top Double Decker Buses
With the beautiful weather in Malta, all the double-decker tour buses have an open top. If you decide to sit on the top, we recommend sitting on the right side of the bus (for the North Tour). If you find yourself getting too hot, you can easily make your way to the lower portion of the bus and into the air conditioning.
From Madison
Always pay attention to what is ahead while sitting on the open top double-decker bus! There were a few times that passengers (myself included) got hit with tree branches along the sides of the road!
Headphones & Commentary
The audio commentary for the hop on hop off bus is fully automated, meaning no one is on the bus with a microphone talking. In our opinion, this was hit-and-miss. Of course, nothing compares to someone actually talking and sharing unique tidbits about the area. Additionally, there would be certain points where the commentary was speaking about something and we couldn’t locate what was being talked about. That being said, for the majority of the tour, the commentary did give helpful insight to the places we were seeing. ALSO, by them automating the commentary, they offer the tour in 13 different languages.
The headphones provided on this tour are your standard free headphones. If you brought a pair with you on your trip, it might be wise to bring them along. The outlet is a standard headphone jack.
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Is the Bus on Time?
In our opinion, it seemed that the buses were relatively on time, except for the one that never came at all… At most of the stops, the bus was there within a 5-minute window of when it was supposed to show up. That being said, we did have to wait an additional 30 minutes when we got off in Mdina because the bus that was supposed to come broke down. Unfortunately, things like that happen and are really out of everyone’s control.
One thing to note is that the bus should never leave early. If the bus is scheduled to leave at 3:30 pm, that is the exact time it will leave. The bus will not leave one minute earlier. However, we always advise to be a few minutes early, especially if it is the last bus of the day!!
Does the City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Come to the Cruise Port?
Yes, it does! When you are at the cruise terminal, look for the City Sightseeing kiosk. Here, you can decide between the north or south tour. If you’re still undecided and looking for more information, there are City Sightseeing associates who can help you out. They can also help direct you to where you get the bus.
How to Get from the Cruise Port to the Bus Tour
The pick-up point is about a 5 to 10-minute walk from the cruise port. When you exit the terminal, turn right and walk along the waterfront. As we mentioned, keep your eye out for the City Sightseeing Kiosk and they can help you plan out your tour and direct you to the bus.
Does the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour go to the Blue Grotto?
If you have your heart set on going to the Blue Grotto, you’ll want to take the South Route. Once on this tour, get off at the Blue Grotto stop!
What’s the Best Route?
If you are visiting Malta for only one day, we recommend taking the North Route because it’ll take you to most of the popular tourist attractions in Malta. The North Route will also give you a great taste of what Malta has to offer – a mix of fascinating history, stunning architecture, and beautiful beaches.
If you are in Malta for two days, we recommend taking the North Route one day, and the South Route on the other day. This is simply because the South Route goes to the Blue Grotto, a must-see.
Liam’s Hot Tip
Visit Mdina! While I’m not a huge fan of Game of Thrones, it is really cool to cross the gate that was the main entrance to King’s Landing in the show.
Tour Routes – City Sightseeing Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
There are two routes to choose from on Malta’s main island – the North or South Route. There are also two separate tours on the island of Gozo. Unfortunately, because of the length of these tours, it isn’t possible to do all of them in one day; however, you could maybe do both the north and south tours if you don’t get off the bus.
North Route
If you decide to take the North Route, these are some of our suggested stops to get off and explore.
- Golden Bay – One of the best beaches in Malta.
- Bugibba – The resort town of Malta with lots of restaurants, shops, and a casino.
- Valletta – Malta’s capital!
- Mdina – An ancient walled city. And, for all the Game of Thrones fans, this is a must-visit!
- Rabat – Close to Mdina, Rabat is home to the Catacombs, Domvs (Domus) Roman Villa, and St. Paul’s Grotto (it’s a Church, not a swimming Grotto).
South Route
If you decide to take the South Route, these are some of our suggested points of interest to visit.
- Blue Grotto – A natural cave with crystal blue waters – this IS a swimming grotto and a must-visit when in Malta!
- Marsaxlokk – A small traditional fishing village.
Have you been on a hop on hop off bus tour before? Let us know where!
