Hop On Hop Off — South Tour (Red Route)
Valletta, the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk and the Blue Grotto — the historic south of Malta at your own pace.
The South route serves 23 stops including the Valletta Waterfront, Fort St. Elmo and the War Museum, the Tarxien Temples & Hypogeum area, Vittoriosa Waterfront, Żejtun, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, Għar Dalam cave, the Blue Grotto and Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra temples. Ticket valid all day, commentary in 16 languages.
Twenty-three stops through the south of Malta
The full commentary as it is given on board, stop by stop, from the Sliema terminus and back again.
Sliema
Sliema is Malta's main coastal resort. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most recent hotels. The coastline promenade, which runs for several kilometres from St. Julian's to Gżira & Ta' Xbiex, is ideal for walkers and joggers.
Manoel Island
A small island fortified by Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena, who also built the theatre in Valletta. The architect of this project was Frenchman Françoise de Mondion, who was also the architect of Louis XIV. The island is now being conserved and converted into an exclusive residential area.
Ta' Xbiex Harbour
The area is studded with beautiful villas many of which have now been transformed into embassies.
Msida Yacht Marina
A magnificent yacht marina with first class berthing facilities.
Valletta Bus Terminus
The point of entry to Malta's capital city built by the knights of the Order of St. John in 1568 and transformed over the years into the finest example of baroque. The city is studded with historical palaces, museums, churches, garden cafés, restaurants and commercial outlets.
Valletta Harbour
A drive around Valletta's harbour and the magnificent bastions. Valletta is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and is one of the few surviving inhabited walled cities.
Valletta War Museum
Malta suffered greatly during the wars and this museum is a testimony to the hardship of those years. Exhibits include equipment, uniforms and photos.
Fort St. Elmo
The fort is at the tip of the Valletta peninsula. Historians are of the opinion that the site was fortified since the punic era (c. 200 B.C.). The fort is only partially opened to the public.
Mediterranean Conference Centre
The building serves as a state-of-the-art conference centre. It was built by the Order of St. John as the main hospital of the Knights. Of great importance is the long hall which served as the hospital's medical ward and is hailed to be the longest roofed hall in Europe. The summit between Bush and Gorbachov in 1989 which marked the end of the Cold War was hosted in this centre.
Fort St. Angelo
The bus will stop for a few moments. Across the water Fort St. Angelo which for centuries guarded the Grand Harbour. The site and Fort witnessed and withstood two Great Sieges, in 1565 by the Ottoman Empire and the other in 1944 by the Axis command.
Valletta Waterfront
Serves as a cruise liner terminal. Every year this magnificent view greets tourists who arrive in Malta by sea. Within this wharf there are a large number of commercial outlets, restaurants and cafes.
Hypogeum & Tarxien Temples
A site not to be missed. An underground Neolithic temple complex from 2500 B.C. completes with niches, oracles altars and wall paintings. Another UNESCO world heritage site. Entrance is restricted to those who have pre-booked. Tarxien Temples — another megalithic temple and a UNESCO world heritage site. Built in about 2000 B.C. the site continued to be used until the early Bronze Age (1500 B.C.). Hypogeum might be closed due to restoration.
Senglea Point
A unique chance to see Valletta and its bastions from the other side of the harbour.
Vittoriosa Waterfront
The area has recently been conserved and transformed into one of the finest marinas in the Mediterranean with berthing facilities for super-yacht. The area also houses Malta's Maritime Museum.
Bieb is-Sultan
A magnificent triumphal gate built by Grand Master Nicholas Cotoner in 1675.
Żejtun Parish Church
A medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname. Żejtun takes its name from the Sicilian Arabic for "olive", which was one of the main productive industries in Malta. It is also known as Ħal-Bisbut, or Casal Bisbut.
Żejtun St Gregory's Church
Before the building of the present parish church of Żejtun, now at the centre of the town, this used to be the church of the village as it was then. It was definitely the largest and one of the most interesting in the islands during the 16th Century. Its architecture attests to its antiquity, because there is an indication that some parts were actually constructed in the 15th Century while others were built during the 16th Century.
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
A typical Mediterranean fishing village with colourful boats, market and fish restaurants. Mix with the locals and enjoy the fresh and relaxed atmosphere.
St. Lucian Tower
A fine example of fortification, the watch tower was by the Order of St. John. Today it is a national aquaculture centre and visiting is restricted.
Għar Dalam Cave and Museum
One of the oldest caves on the island dating back 500,000 years. Skeletons of animals long extinct from the island have been found in this cave. The area is also ideal for rambling.
Blue Grotto
A natural cave with crystal blue waters. A small fishing village from where you can take a short boat trip round this natural wonder.
Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra
Another two pre-historical temples which are situated in the same area with a short distance from each other.
Limestone Heritage
A museum which explains the importance stone always had with the island. Exhibits include tools used in bygone eras to quarry and work stone.
Departure times
Seven departures a day. The tour runs every day except Christmas Day.
| Stop | 0930 | 1030 | 1130 | 1200 | 1300 | 1400 | 1500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta Sightseeing Terminus, Sliema (opp. Burger King) | 0930 | 1030 | 1130 | 1200 | 1300 | 1400 | 1500 |
| Valletta Bus Terminus | 0945 | 1045 | 1145 | 1215 | 1315 | 1415 | 1515 |
| War Museum & Fort St. Elmo | 0950 | 1050 | 1150 | 1220 | 1320 | 1420 | 1520 |
| Mediterranean Conference Centre | 0955 | 1055 | 1155 | 1225 | 1325 | 1425 | 1525 |
| Valletta Waterfront | 1000 | 1100 | 1200 | 1230 | 1330 | 1430 | 1530 |
| Tarxien Temples & Hypogeum | 1015 | 1115 | 1215 | 1245 | 1345 | 1445 | 1545 |
| Vittoriosa Waterfront | 1025 | 1125 | 1225 | 1255 | 1355 | 1455 | 1555 |
| Żejtun Parish Church | 1045 | 1145 | 1245 | 1315 | 1415 | 1515 | 1615 |
| Żejtun St Gregory's Church | 1047 | 1147 | 1247 | 1317 | 1417 | 1517 | 1617 |
| Marsaxlokk Fishing Village | 1100 | 1200 | 1300 | 1330 | 1430 | 1530 | 1630 |
| Għar Dalam Cave & Museum | 1110 | 1210 | 1310 | 1340 | 1440 | 1540 | 1640 |
| Blue Grotto | 1130 | 1230 | 1330 | 1400 | 1500 | 1600 | 1700 |
| Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Temples | 1140 | 1240 | 1340 | 1410 | 1510 | 1610 | 1710 |
| Limestone Heritage | 1150 | 1250 | 1350 | 1420 | 1520 | 1620 | 1720 |
| Malta Sightseeing Terminus, Sliema | 1220 | 1320 | 1420 | 1450 | 1550 | 1650 | 1750 |
The 15:00 tour does not operate on Sundays. Museum opening hours are indicative — please check before your visit.
Free transport to the terminus
Free transport is organised from the following areas to the Malta Sightseeing terminus in Sliema.
Return transport
Free transport from Sliema to various hotels: Monday to Saturday at 15:00, 16:00 and 18:00 · Sunday at 15:00 and 17:00.
Good to know
- The tour runs every day except Christmas Day.
- The 15:00 departure does not operate on Sundays.
- Your ticket is valid all day — hop on and off as often as you like.
- Museum opening hours are indicative. Please check before your visit.
- The Hypogeum is restricted to visitors who have pre-booked, and may be closed for restoration.
- Fort St. Elmo is only partially open to the public.
- St. Lucian Tower is a national aquaculture centre; visiting is restricted.
- All-day Hop On Hop Off ticket — South route
- Multilingual audio commentary
- Free transport from main localities to the terminus
★ Special Offers for Families & Groups of Friends
Travelling as a family or with a group of friends? Message us on WhatsApp 00356 9982 4020 — best prices available.
⚠ Before you book
It is highly recommended to check all details before you book, either with the receptionist on duty or on WhatsApp 0035699824020.
Book this excursion
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