South Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Malta Sightseeing Tours

South Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

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Buses depart hourly from 0930hrs

One day ticket

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The south of the island features many interesting towns and places of interest including the 3 Cities, Ancient Temples, Marsaxlokk Fishing Village, Blue Grotto and more…

What is included

• Ticket valid for full day
• Hop On/Off as often as you like
• Disposable earphones
• Available in 16 languages
• Free transport to tour start point
• Tours depart hourly

View South route timetable

When is it available

This tour is scheduled to operate daily, except on certain Public Holidays. Check the BOOK THIS EXPERIENCE booking panel for available dates.

Read full description

This route includes bus stops in this order - Sliema, Valletta Bus Terminus, War Museum & Fort St. Elmo, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta Waterfront, Tarxien Temples, Hypogeum, Vittoriosa Waterfront, Zejtun Parish Church, Zejtun St. Gregory’s Church, Marsaxlokk Fishing Village, Ghar Dalam Cave & Museum, Blue Grotto, Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples, Malta Falconry Centre, Limestone Heritage, Sliema

You can get off and back on the bus as often as you like during the tour. Click on the View South route timetable above, to see the schedule.

The main highlights include;

Valletta
Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John in 1565 and the bus stops conveniently just outside the city walls. Make your way to Castille and visit the Upper Barraka Gardens which offer stunning views of the Grand Harbour and magnificent fortifications. Every day at noon the 'Noon Gun Salut' is fired from the lower part of the gardens, a spectacle worth seeing. If you intend staying in Valletta take a walk down Merchants and Republic Streets where you can admire numerous historical buildings built by the Knights including the Auberges, the Grand Masters Palace and the St. John's Co. Cathedral. Valletta is also ideal for shopping and lunch.

Other stops in Valletta include the panoramic fortified route around the city, Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum, the award-winning Malta Experience and the stunning Valletta Waterfront. This beautifully renovated 18th-century wharf is also the main cruise ship terminal and has an excellent range of restaurants and cafeterias.

Birgu/Vittoriosa
Birgu forms part of the Three Cities and is the oldest fortified city of the Grand Harbour. In 1530 the Knights of St. John first settled in this area. Here you can visit the historical centre of the city which is known as the 'collachio', the area which was occupied by the Knights'.

Tarxien Temples & Hypogeum
Tarxien was the first temple site to be excavated and it offers a unique collection of circa. 3000 BC sanctuaries. Stone idols and tablets, domestic animals carved in relief, altars and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns, oracular chambers and riches enhance the attractions of these temples. Located close to Tarxien Temples is the unique Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. This ancient underground monument is 12 metres below street level. It consists of a network of passages, chambers and caves cut on three levels, similar to the interior of a megalithic temple. The most impressive part of the temple is the "Holy of Holies" and one of the most important prehistoric masterpieces known as the "Sleeping Lady" was also found here.

Zejtun
This southern town is a great example of a typical southern lifestyle. The main piazza is dominated by the main church, however, the piazza (centre) is a hive of activity in the morning.

Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Experience a little local culture at the pretty traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk. This quaint village is characterized by low-lying buildings and the colourful traditional fishing boats known as the 'luzzu'—hundreds of them fill the bay. There is also a small local market from Monday to Saturday and a big market all day on Sundays. Marsaxlokk is also renowned by the locals as the BEST place to eat fresh fish at one of the many restaurants.

Blue Grotto
A series of caves along the coast which are accessible by boat...you will be amazed by the crystal clear sea. If you would like to take the short 25-minute boat trip they operate subject to suitable weather conditions and the cost is €10 for adults/€15 for children.

Hagar Qim Temple Complex
These unique ancient temples were built over 7000 years ago!

View route map

How to join this experience

You can make your own way to the bus tour's start point in Sliema or Valletta or book a complimentary transfer to get there. View pickup options below and click on the location to view on Google Maps. See also details about transfers in 'Good to know before you book' below.

Making Own Way

Sliema & St. Julian's Area

St. Pauls Bay Area

North & Mellieha Area

SHOW PICKUP LOCATIONS

Good to know before you book

When planning your sightseeing, consider that some shops, churches and cathedrals are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays (Jan 1, Feb 10, Mar 19, Mar 31, Good Friday, May 1, Jun 7, Jun 29, Aug 15, Sep 8, Sep 21, Dec 8, Dec 13, Dec 25).

Note the following about two of the stops:
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village Stop - On Sunday, the bus is not permitted to drive along the Marsaxlokk seafront due to the market. There is a 400-meter walk to the open-air market, stretching another 600 meters along the seafront, the church.

Hypogeum & Tarxien Temples Stop - The bust stops close to the Hypogeum (this site must be pre-booked months in advance to guarantee entry); however, the Tarxien Temples, which you can visit without any problems, are a 550-meter walk from the bus stop.

Entrance fees into museums, places of interest, boat trips and other similar attractions are not included in the tour rate.

Transfers to/from bus terminus - tour starting point in Sliema
If you book a transfer to arrive at the start of the tour in Sliema, the time you select is the earliest pickup time available from that location. If you miss that pickup you can join any of the following pickups:

From North & Mellieha Area at 0930hrs

From Xemxija & Golden Bay Area at 0950hrs

From St. Paul's Bay Area every 30 minutes between 0900hrs and 1200hrs

From St. Julian's Area every 30 minutes between 0900hrs and 1200hrs

From Sliema Area every 30 minutes between 0915hrs and 1215hrs

Return transfers:
If you book a transfer to the start of the tour you will be dropped off in Sliema, near the bus terminus departure point. Check with bus operator staff which tour is available to join and confirm the meeting point for return transport. Return transport is available at 1500hrs, 1600hrs, 1800hrs from Monday to Saturday, and at 1500hrs and 1700hrs on Sunday.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

November 17, 2024

Bus was packed and earphones didn’t work.

May 18, 2024

Had to ask driver for instructions as to where to go for the sight seeing, no one gave it otherwise as the stops are not near the attraction. Commentary is after you've passed it and long moments of silence, Some stops are not worth while

January 30, 2024