Malta is small but its sights are scattered, and public buses, while cheap, can be slow and crowded in summer. The City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off pass solves that for first-timers without a car. The South Route runs from the Valletta waterfront to Birgu, the colourful fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its painted luzzu boats, Pretty Bay, the Blue Grotto sea caves and the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples, before looping back to Valletta. The North Route heads inland to Ta’ Qali, the vast dome of Mosta church, the Main Gate of Mdina and Rabat, then out to the sandy beach at Golden Bay and back along the coast through Bugibba, St Julian’s and Sliema. A full loop takes roughly three and a half hours if you never get off, but the point is to hop: an hour in Mdina, a swim at Golden Bay, lunch in Marsaxlokk. The pass also includes a harbour cruise, usable within a few days of activation.
Passes are valid for 24 or 48 hours from activation, and a two-day pass lets you do one route each day without rushing. Commentary is by headphones in several languages. Buses run on fixed frequencies, so note the last departure from each stop to avoid being stranded far from your hotel.
It works best for first-time visitors staying in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian’s who want to see the island quickly. Travellers comfortable with local buses or a hire car will save money doing it independently, but for a family or a short trip the convenience and the included cruise make it good value.
What to expect
The experience
Open-top bus pass on two routes with recorded commentary, plus a harbour cruise.
Best time
Start early; one route per day on a 48-hour pass.
How long
About 3.5 hours per full loop, more with stops.
Tips
Note the last bus from each stop, and sit upstairs on the shaded side in summer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers without a car who want the whole island fast.
- Families
- Very convenient for kids, with beaches and temples on the same pass.
- Couples
- Use the north route for Mdina by day and stay for dinner.
- Pair with
- Mdina on the north route; the Hypogeum and Three Cities in the south.
- Time needed
- One to two days.
Good questions
What routes are included?+
A South Route via Birgu, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto and the temples, and a North Route via Mosta, Mdina, Golden Bay and the coast.
Does it stop at Mdina?+
Yes, the North Route stops at Mdina Main Gate and Rabat.
How long is the pass valid?+
24 or 48 hours after activation, depending on the ticket.
Is the harbour cruise included?+
Yes, usable within a few days of activating the pass.
Is it better than the public bus?+
It is faster and simpler for sightseeing; local buses are cheaper but slower.