Malta: Vintage Bus Ride through the Three Cities

History rolls on wooden wheels here. This 90-minute vintage bus tour links Malta’s Three Cities with the wider harbor area, giving you a useful first look at Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea without a long day on foot. I especially like the character of the 1928 bus and the detailed commentary from David, the regular driver. The main drawback is comfort: Malta’s old streets can make the ride bumpy, and people with back problems should skip it.

I also like the generous route for the price. For $24, you cover Valletta, Gzira, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Pieta’, Marsa, Paola, and the Three Cities in one outing. You should know, though, that this is mainly a driving tour. Museum admissions are not included, and roadworks, festas, or other closures can force a change in the route.

Key points before you book

• The 1928 bus is the main attraction: Its wooden body gives the outing a sense of occasion that a standard sightseeing coach cannot match.
• David adds local color: His English commentary covers Malta’s Great Sieges of 1565 and 1942, along with details tied to the streets and buildings you pass.
• You see three fortified cities in one short ride: Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea each have a different story and setting.
• The route begins at Sliema Ferries: Meet David by the Tanti Ice-Cream Kiosk at 2:15 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. departure.
• Expect an old-fashioned ride: The bus can jolt over uneven streets, so a small cushion may help.
• Tuesday is the only listed operating day: The tour does not run on public holidays.

Why the vintage bus makes the tour worthwhile

You can see Malta’s harbor towns in many ways, but the vehicle changes the mood completely. This is not simply transport between sights. The wooden-bodied bus is an old piece of Malta’s road-going past, and its appearance gives the trip a playful, nostalgic feel.

The bus used for this experience dates from 1928. That detail matters because you are not riding in a modern coach dressed up with a retro sign. The old vehicle is central to the outing, and many people choose the tour for that reason alone.

The ride also helps you cover a broad area without tiring yourself out. Valletta and the Three Cities contain plenty of steep streets, fortifications, and paved lanes. In 90 minutes, you can get a sense of their layout before deciding where you want to return for a slower visit.

There is a trade-off. An antique bus is not likely to deliver the smooth suspension of a modern vehicle. One useful tip is to bring a small cushion if you are sensitive to hard seats or road bumps. The bus may look charming in photographs, but charm does not equal modern comfort.

Starting at Sliema Ferries at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries, on the seaside near the Tanti Ice-Cream Kiosk. You are asked to arrive at 2:15 p.m., 15 minutes before departure, and look for David, the driver.

This is worth taking seriously. One person had trouble finding the meeting point, while another booking in the past was affected by a communication problem and a delayed bus. Those incidents appear to be exceptions, but arriving early gives you time to identify the right vehicle and driver without a last-minute scramble.

The meeting area also makes the timing useful for your wider day. You can spend the morning in Valletta or Sliema, then reach the ferry area for the afternoon departure. At the end, you return to Sliema, although exact drop-off arrangements may vary. A past passenger was left a short distance from a hotel rather than directly outside it, so do not treat hotel return service as guaranteed.

Valletta, Gzira, and the harbor-side approach

The route takes you through Valletta and the surrounding harbor districts before reaching the Cottonera area. You pass through Gzira, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Pieta’, Marsa, and Paola as part of the wider drive.

For me, this broad route is one of the tour’s best features. You are not only driven straight to the Three Cities and back. The trip gives you a sense of how the urban areas around Malta’s main harbor connect with one another.

The value here is orientation. If Malta is new to you, maps can make Valletta, Sliema, the harbor, and Cottonera seem like separate destinations. From the bus, you begin to understand their relationship. David’s commentary is intended to explain the places as you pass them, rather than leaving you to identify every church, wall, or waterfront on your own.

The amount of commentary can vary. David is praised for explaining details at many turns and for adding information beyond the basic script. An older account found the commentary lighter than expected, so you should choose this tour for a pleasant introduction, not as a substitute for a full specialist walking tour.

Cospicua and the walls of Cottonera

Cospicua is the first of the Three Cities on the main part of the route. It has been inhabited since Neolithic times and later became part of the fortified Cottonera area.

The city is also known as Bormla, though the supplied tour information uses Cospicua. Its fortification walls are an important part of the story here. The Knights of Malta developed and strengthened these harbor cities because their position made them important for defense, shipping, and control of the surrounding waters.

From the bus, you get the broad setting rather than a close inspection of every wall. That is useful for your first orientation, but you should not expect to study masonry details or enter fortifications during the ride.

Cospicua works well as an opening chapter because it introduces the basic pattern of the Three Cities: old streets, defensive structures, and a close connection to the harbor. The city is not presented as a single monument. Instead, you see how everyday streets fit within a much older defensive system.

Vittoriosa and Malta’s maritime past

Vittoriosa, also called Birgu, is perhaps the most historically layered stop on the route. Its story is tied to maritime trade, military power, and the Knights of St. John.

The modern Vittoriosa Waterfront is one of the area’s key sights. The route also relates to the Palace of the General of the Galleys, the treasury of the Order of St. John, and the Malta Maritime Museum. These places help explain how the city functioned as more than a fortress. It was also a working harbor and a center for naval activity.

You should keep your expectations clear. The 90-minute bus ride does not include museum entrance tickets, and the tour is not structured as a museum visit. You may see or pass important buildings, but you will need another visit, and separate admission, if you want to explore the collections inside.

Vittoriosa is also where road conditions and closures can affect the experience. Roadworks once prevented the bus from reaching part of the city. A festa or local parade can also block streets. These changes are not necessarily a failure of the tour, but they can mean less time in a particular area or a modified route.

Senglea, the third city across the bridge

Senglea completes the Three Cities. It is a walled town connected to Cospicua by a land bridge built during the period of the Knights of St. John.

The city was once used as a hunting area and was known as L’Isola di San Giuliano. That older name hints at how the area changed over time. What you see today is a fortified town shaped by military planning, but its earlier use was far less martial.

Senglea is best appreciated from the moving bus as part of the larger Cottonera picture. Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea are close together, yet each has its own position and role. The ride helps you see why the Three Cities are usually discussed as a group while still having separate identities.

You may get opportunities to take photographs in or near the cities. The driver has stopped for photos and helped solo passengers take pictures in the past. If photography matters to you, keep your camera ready, but remember that stops and views can change with traffic, roadworks, and local events.

The Great Sieges of 1565 and 1942

The historical heart of this tour is the link between the Three Cities and Malta’s two major wartime sieges.

The Great Siege of 1565 was fought between the Knights of St. John and the Ottoman forces. The fortifications around the harbor were central to Malta’s defense, and the Three Cities were closely involved in that struggle.

The 1942 siege belongs to the Second World War. Malta’s harbor and military position again made the island a target, and the cities carried the marks and pressures of wartime attack.

David’s English commentary connects the streets and fortifications to both events. This is particularly useful because the walls can otherwise seem like attractive old stonework without a clear reason for being there. The guide helps you read them as working defenses with a purpose.

The commentary is not a formal lecture, and the tour moves continuously. Still, you gain a practical timeline: ancient settlement, the arrival and expansion of the Knights of Malta, the siege of 1565, and Malta’s role in the Second World War.

Photo stops, short breaks, and the pace of the ride

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, which is long enough to cover a lot but short enough to fit around other plans. It is not an all-day commitment, and you do not need to prepare for a major walking route.

A short stop has been included on some versions of the experience, giving people time for photographs or a bathroom break. One past passenger also used a brief pause to stop at a café in a market square. Since road conditions and local events can affect the timing, treat this as a possible feature rather than a guaranteed scheduled stop.

The pace suits people who want an overview. You can photograph old buildings, small squares, waterfront areas, and fortifications as the bus moves through the cities. It is less suitable if you want long periods inside one square or enough time to visit several interiors.

If you are traveling alone, the driver may be able to help with a photograph when the bus stops. That small touch can make the outing easier for solo visitors. Just do not assume that every stop will offer a long break or a perfect photo angle.

Comfort, access, and what to bring

The tour is not suitable for people with back problems. The reason is practical: old streets and an old bus can produce a fair amount of movement. Even passengers who enjoyed the ride described being jolted around on uneven roads.

I would wear comfortable clothes and bring water, especially in warm weather. The tour information does not promise air conditioning, and Malta can be hot. You should also bring a camera or phone with enough battery for photographs.

There is no need to bring museum money unless you plan to return independently to places such as the Malta Maritime Museum. Museum tickets are not included in the $24 price.

The bus may offer different seating positions, and one older passenger described choosing an inside seat during hot weather. Exact seating arrangements can vary, so ask David if you have a strong preference.

Is $24 a fair price for 90 minutes?

At $24 per person, I consider this good value if you want three things at once: a novelty vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and a broad introduction to Malta’s harbor cities.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want museum visits or a long stop in each city. You will pay separately for any museum entrance, and the tour cannot give you the same detail as exploring Vittoriosa or Senglea on foot.

Still, the arithmetic works in its favor. You cover several districts and three historic cities in 90 minutes, with transport included and no need to arrange separate taxis. The bus itself is part of the entertainment, while David’s commentary gives the drive a clear historical purpose.

The experience has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 112 bookings. The strongest praise centers on the bus, David’s friendly manner, the historical explanations, and the chance to see a large area without getting worn out.

Who should book this vintage bus ride?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Malta for the first time and want a quick sense of the harbor region. It is also a good fit for families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who likes unusual transport with a bit of character.

It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• Short sightseeing outings with plenty of visual variety
• Fortifications, naval history, and the Knights of Malta
• Guided commentary in English
• Taking photographs from an unusual vehicle
• Seeing several districts without a long walk

I would choose something else if you have back problems, need a very smooth ride, or want extensive time inside museums and historic buildings. I would also check the operating date carefully, since this tour runs on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and does not operate on public holidays.

Should you book it?

Book it if the 1928 bus sounds as appealing to you as the Three Cities themselves. The vehicle gives the outing its personality, while David’s commentary adds useful context about Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Valletta, and the two Great Sieges.

Do not book it expecting a polished modern coach, a full walking tour, or guaranteed access through every street. Roadworks, festas, and traffic can alter the route, and the ride may be rough.

For $24, this is a cheerful and worthwhile introduction to Malta’s fortified harbor towns. Arrive at Sliema Ferries by 2:15 p.m., bring a cushion if your back is sensitive, and leave time on another day to return to Vittoriosa or Senglea on foot.

FAQ

Where does the vintage bus tour meet?

The tour leaves from Sliema Ferries at the seaside, near the Tanti Ice-Cream Kiosk. You should arrive at 2:15 p.m. and look for David, the driver.

What time does the tour depart?

The listed departure time is 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

How long does the tour last?

The vintage bus ride lasts 90 minutes, or about 1.5 hours.

Which places does the route visit?

The route includes Valletta, Gzira, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Pieta’, Marsa, Paola, and the Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea.

Are museum tickets included?

No. Museum entrance tickets are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

The listed tour language is English, with commentary provided by the driver.