If you've got a week or two in Malta and you're staring at a map wondering how on earth you're supposed to fit Valletta, Mdina, the coast and the harbours into a holiday that's also meant to involve a fair bit of doing nothing by the pool, the open-top sightseeing bus is a genuinely sensible first move. We'll be honest with you up front: it is a tourist bus, with all that implies. But for a first day getting your bearings, it's hard to beat — and most of our guests who do it tell us it quietly turned into one of the most useful afternoons of their trip.
This is our plain-English guide to Malta's City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus: what it actually is, how the route works, the stops worth getting off for, and the practical bits nobody tells you until you're already standing at a bus stop in the heat.
The upper deck is the whole point — bag a front seat if you can.
What it is and how it works
It's an open-top double-decker that loops a fixed route around the main island, stopping at the sights you'd want to see anyway. You buy a ticket that's valid for the day (or two), and you can get off at any stop, wander for as long as you like, then climb back on the next bus that comes along. No need to book a specific time — the buses run on a loop roughly every 30 to 45 minutes through the day.
Every seat comes with a recorded commentary you plug your earphones into, with the history and stories of each place as you roll past. It's the lazy, air-on-your-face way to learn what you're looking at, and it means you arrive at each stop already knowing a little about where you are.
Think of it less as a "tour" and more as a hop-on transport pass with a guide built in. That's the mental shift that makes it click.
One route or two?
City Sightseeing runs both a North and a South route. The North route is the one most of our guests take — it covers Valletta, the coast up past Sliema and St Julian's, Mdina and the historic centre of the island. It's the classic highlights loop, and it's the one that passes closest to where you'll be staying. The South route covers the fishing villages, the Three Cities across the harbour and the prehistoric coast — lovely, but more of a second-day add-on once you've got the lay of the land.
The route at a glance
The North loop links the parts of Malta you've probably already pinned on your phone. Without getting bogged down in a full timetable, here's the shape of it:
- Sliema and St Julian's — the seafront promenade, the bays, the bars and restaurants. This is your home turf if you're staying with us.
- Valletta — the walled capital, all golden limestone, grand squares and harbour views. The big one.
- Mdina and Rabat — the silent medieval "old city" up on the hill inland, plus the catacombs and quiet lanes of neighbouring Rabat.
- Mosta — home to the enormous domed church (one of the largest unsupported domes in Europe) with a famous wartime story attached.
- The northwest coast — sweeping clifftop and bay views as the bus runs along the water.
You won't get off at every stop — nobody does. The trick is to pick two or three to actually explore and treat the rest as scenery from the top deck.
Valletta is small enough to do on foot once the bus drops you at the gate.
The stops worth getting off for
Valletta
If you only get off once, make it here. The whole capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it's compact — you can walk end to end in twenty minutes. Wander to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view across the Grand Harbour, see St John's Co-Cathedral if you like your interiors gilded to within an inch of their life, and stop for a coffee or a pastizz in one of the side streets. Give yourself a good two hours.
Mdina
The "Silent City" is the other unmissable stop. Cars are mostly banned inside the old walls, so it's all hushed honey-stone alleys and sudden views out over the whole island. It's tiny, atmospheric and especially lovely in the late afternoon when the day-trip coaches have thinned out. Half an hour to potter, longer if you stop for a drink with a view.
Mosta
Worth a quick hop off just to stand under the dome and hear the story of the wartime bomb that fell through the roof during a packed congregation and failed to explode. It's a short stop but a memorable one.
Tips for first-timers
- Sit up top, at the front, on the right. Best views, best breeze, best photos. The lower deck is for shade and rain only.
- Go early. Catch one of the first buses of the day and you'll get round the loop before the midday heat and the crowds at the big stops.
- Bring your own earphones. The free ones do the job but your own will be more comfortable for a full day of commentary.
- Don't try to do the whole loop and get off everywhere. You'll spend the day waiting for buses. Pick your two or three stops and commit.
- Take the full loop once first. Many guests ride the entire circuit without getting off to see what's where, then jump back on with a plan. It's a great way to orient yourself on day one.
- Sun cream and water. An open top in the Maltese sun is lovely for ten minutes and brutal after an hour. A hat helps too.
Practical info
Tickets are typically valid for 24 hours from first use, with a two-day option that's worth it if you want to split the North and South routes across two mornings. Buses generally run from mid-morning through to late afternoon; they're less frequent at the very start and end of the day, so don't leave your last stop too late.
One of the quiet advantages for our guests: the route runs right along the Sliema and St Julian's seafront, which means there's almost certainly a stop within a short walk of your Livensea apartment. You can roll out of bed, stroll to the promenade and be on the bus without faffing about with car hire or parking — which, frankly, is half the appeal in a country where parking near the sights is its own small ordeal.
Check availability and prices for the Malta Hop-On Hop-Off bus ›
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth it, honestly?
For a first day, yes. It's not the "authentic" way to see Malta and you'll find purists who turn their nose up at it — but it's a low-stress, no-driving way to cover a lot of ground and figure out which places you want to come back to and explore properly. If you're here for a week or two, treat it as reconnaissance.
Is it good for families?
Very. Kids love the open top, the hop-on-hop-off freedom means you're never stuck somewhere when someone gets bored, and you can break the day up however you like. Pushchairs are manageable, though folding one for the stairs is easier.
How long does the full loop take?
Around two to three hours to ride the complete North circuit without getting off, depending on traffic. Build in stops and it's an easy full day.
Can I use it to actually get around, not just sightsee?
Up to a point. It's slower and pricier than the regular public bus, but on the day your ticket is valid it's a perfectly pleasant way to get from your apartment to Valletta or Mdina and back without thinking about timetables.
What if it rains?
The lower deck is enclosed, so a passing shower won't ruin your day — but Malta's weather is reliably kind for most of the year, and a grey morning often burns off by lunch.