Malta: Vintage Bus Ride through the Three Cities

Malta’s Three Cities are best understood from the road, where fortress walls, harbor streets, and small squares unfold one after another. This 1928 vintage bus gives the sightseeing a bit of character, while driver David explains how Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea figured in Malta’s major sieges.

I like the clear English commentary and the chance to cover a broad area without wearing out your feet. I also like the photo stops and David’s habit of slowing carefully over bumps. The main drawback is comfort: the old bus has firm seating, and Malta’s uneven roads can give you a lively ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride a genuine 1928 vintage bus: The wooden-bodied vehicle is the main attraction, not just a way to get from one sight to another.
• Hear the story from David: The driver provides English commentary as you pass through the Three Cities and surrounding towns.
• Cover a wide route in 90 minutes: The journey includes Valletta, Gzira, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Pieta’, Marsa, Paola, Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea.
• Allow time for photographs: The bus stops so you can take pictures, with a short break during the outing.
• Expect a firm, bumpy ride: The historic vehicle and Malta’s roads are part of the charm, but this is not a good choice for people with back problems.
• Plan around the Tuesday departure: The tour leaves Sliema Ferries at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and does not run on public holidays.

Why the vintage bus makes this tour different

A regular sightseeing bus can show you Malta’s forts and waterfronts. This old bus adds a sense of occasion. You are not simply passing through the Three Cities in a modern coach. You are riding in a vehicle with a wooden body and period character, an experience that fits Malta’s old stone streets particularly well.

The bus is described as one of the first two wooden-bodied buses, and the vintage design is the star attraction for many people. It gives the outing a playful side without turning it into a theme-park ride. You still receive a proper history lesson, but the setting is far more memorable than a standard vehicle.

There is a practical tradeoff. Old buses do not offer the smooth suspension of newer coaches. Several details point to a firm ride, and one passenger specifically suggested bringing a cushion. The driver’s careful approach helps. David has been praised for slowing for even small speed bumps, but you should still avoid this tour if you have serious back trouble.

From Sliema to Malta’s fortified harbor

You meet at Sliema Ferries beside the sea, near the Tanti Ice-Cream Kiosk. Arrive by 2:15 p.m. for the 2:30 departure and look for David, the driver. This is a simple meeting point, but Sliema’s waterfront can be busy, so arriving early saves a last-minute search.

The route first moves through several parts of the central harbor area, including Valletta, Gzira, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Pieta’, Marsa, and Paola. These places help you see how closely Malta’s towns are packed around its harbors and roads. The ride is not limited to one historic center. It gives you a wider view of the built-up area before reaching the fortress towns.

This matters because the Three Cities are not isolated museum pieces. They form part of a working urban area, and the approach helps place them within Malta’s wider setting. You see ordinary streets and modern surroundings before the older fortifications and harbor buildings take over.

David’s commentary is in English. His role is important because the bus does not pause at every historic building. He explains what you are passing as the scenery changes, linking the streets and walls to Malta’s military past.

Cospicua, the first of the Three Cities

The tour begins in Cospicua, also known as Bormla. The town has been inhabited since Neolithic times and is enclosed by major fortification walls. That combination gives you two layers of Maltese history at once: a very old settlement and the later defenses built by the Knights of Malta.

From the bus, look for the relationship between the town and its walls. The fortifications are not background decoration. They shaped movement, protected the harbor, and helped define the Three Cities as a defensive stronghold.

Cospicua is useful as an opening stop because it introduces the pattern that repeats across the route: narrow streets, old stone buildings, fortified edges, and a strong connection to the water. You will not get a long walking visit here, so listen closely to David’s explanations and keep your camera ready.

This is a driving tour rather than a walking tour. If you want to inspect churches, fortifications, or side streets at length, you will need to return independently. The bus gives you orientation and context, not an exhaustive visit to every monument.

Vittoriosa and the waterfront story

Next comes Vittoriosa, also called Birgu. Of the Three Cities, it has perhaps the strongest concentration of maritime, commercial, and military associations in the tour’s description. Its waterfront, the Palace of the General of the Galleys, the Order of St. John’s treasury, and the Malta Maritime Museum all point to the town’s long connection with ships and defense.

The Vittoriosa Waterfront is one of the places where you will want your camera ready. Old stone architecture beside the harbor makes a strong picture, especially when viewed from a vehicle that moves through the town rather than stopping at one viewpoint for the entire visit.

The route may include a short pause for photographs, though the exact stopping pattern can change. Roadworks and local events have affected access in the past, and one scheduled route had to change because the road to Vittoriosa was closed. That is worth keeping in mind. Malta’s old towns have narrow streets, and temporary closures can alter the drive.

You should also separate the bus tour from a museum visit. Entry to the Malta Maritime Museum and other museums is not included. If you want to go inside, plan a separate visit and budget for the ticket.

Vittoriosa is where the tour’s historical theme becomes especially clear. David connects the streets and waterfront to the Great Siege of 1565 and the events of 1942. The first siege involved the Knights of Malta and the Ottoman attack. The second refers to Malta’s wartime experience during the Second World War. You get a broad explanation rather than a specialist lecture, but it gives meaning to the walls and harbor you are seeing.

Senglea, the walled town across the water

The third city is Senglea, also known as Isla. It is a walled town joined to Cospicua by a land bridge built during the period of the Knights of St. John. Before its fortification and urban development, the area was used as a hunting ground and was known as L’Isola di San Giuliano.

Senglea’s appeal is its compact shape and defensive setting. The town’s identity comes from being enclosed and connected by a narrow route, so seeing it from the bus helps you understand its position better than a quick list of names would.

The visit is short. You may pass through small squares and streets, pause for photographs, and continue along the route. That pace works well if your goal is to get your bearings across the Three Cities. It works less well if you want quiet time to study the architecture or sit in a square.

A brief stop can also give you a glimpse of local life rather than just military history. One outing was affected by preparations for a festa, with children taking part in a local parade. Events like this can add color to the route, though they may also block roads and cause changes to the planned drive.

The Great Sieges in plain language

The tour’s historical focus is the connection between the Three Cities and the sieges of 1565 and 1942. You do not need to arrive with a detailed knowledge of Maltese history. David’s commentary is intended to connect what you see with the reasons these towns mattered.

In 1565, the fortified harbor towns helped the Knights of Malta resist the Ottoman assault known as the Great Siege. The walls, waterways, and narrow approaches were all part of the defense. As you pass between the cities, you can see why control of the harbor and its fortifications was so important.

The 1942 story is different but equally important. Malta was heavily involved in the Second World War, and the Three Cities again formed part of a strategic harbor area. The tour does not replace a museum or a full historical lecture, but it gives you a useful framework for noticing the defensive structures around you.

I find this kind of commentary most valuable when you are seeing a place for the first time. Without explanation, a fortress wall can become just another old wall. With a few dates and a clear account of its purpose, the same structure becomes easier to read.

What the 90-minute schedule feels like

Ninety minutes is enough to see a large portion of the harbor area, but not enough for long stops. Think of this as an introduction and orientation tour. You will cover more ground than on foot and avoid the fatigue of walking Malta’s streets in heat, yet you will keep moving for much of the time.

The tour includes time for photographs and a short break. One earlier outing included about ten minutes for a restroom stop, and another included time to stop at a café. The exact arrangement may vary, so do not count on a full meal or a long café visit.

The short format makes the tour easy to fit into a Malta itinerary. You can use it early in your stay to decide which parts of the Three Cities deserve a longer return visit. You can also choose it when you want sightseeing without committing half a day.

The downside is that timing can feel tight. If roadworks, a festa, traffic, or other local activity changes the route, you may see less of one city than planned. That is a normal risk on a small historic-town drive, but it is worth accepting before you book.

Comfort, access, and what to bring

The vintage bus is part of the fun, but comfort needs honest attention. The seats are padded, yet the road can be bumpy. A small cushion could make the ride easier, particularly if you are sensitive to jolts or plan to sit for the full 90 minutes.

The experience is specifically not suitable for people with back problems. If you need a very smooth ride or extra room to move, a modern sightseeing vehicle may be a better choice.

Bring a camera or phone with enough battery for the route. You will have chances to photograph old stone streets, squares, waterfront views, and fortifications. If you are traveling alone, David has helped solo passengers take pictures during stops, which is a thoughtful practical touch.

Wear something comfortable and bring water, especially in warmer months. The supplied details do not promise air conditioning or a particular seating arrangement, so dress for a simple historic vehicle rather than a luxury coach.

David’s role as driver and guide

David is central to the experience. His commentary covers the places you pass and explains their connection to Malta’s military and maritime past. His style appears to be conversational and personal, with extra details added beyond the basic route.

Good driving matters on a tour like this. The bus is old, the streets can be tight, and road bumps are unavoidable. David has been praised for driving carefully and slowing down over small raised sections of road. That makes a difference when you are sitting in a vintage vehicle.

The experience is delivered in English only. If you want a tour in another language, this is not the right option. The commentary is also delivered while driving, so you should sit where you can hear clearly and avoid treating the bus as a quiet photo ride.

Past operations have not always been perfect. One outing involved a late arrival at the meeting point, and another had an overbooking problem that left some people behind in Sliema. These appear to be isolated operational issues rather than the main character of the tour, but arriving early and confirming the bus and driver is sensible.

Is $24 a fair price?

At $24 per person, the tour offers good value if you want transport, a guide, and a distinctive vehicle in one short outing. You are paying less for entry to individual attractions and more for a guided overview of a large area.

The price does not include museum admission, so add that cost if you plan to visit the Malta Maritime Museum or another site. The tour also does not give you enough time to tour museums during the main drive.

The strongest value comes from the combination of coverage and commentary. A taxi or private ride could take you between towns, but it would not necessarily explain the siege history or point out the importance of the buildings. A longer private tour might offer more flexibility, but at a much higher cost.

I would book it for a first look at the Three Cities, especially if you have only a few days in Malta. I would not book it as your only visit if you want substantial time inside museums or a slow architectural walk.

Who should book this bus ride?

This tour suits you if you like history in manageable portions, enjoy unusual transport, or want to see several towns without spending hours on foot. Families can find it entertaining, and solo visitors may appreciate the guided format and help with photographs.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants a short afternoon activity from Sliema. The single Tuesday departure at 2:30 p.m. limits flexibility, though, and the tour does not run on public holidays.

You should choose something else if you have back problems, dislike bumpy rides, or want long visits at each sight. You should also avoid relying on it for a precise route to a particular museum or monument, since road closures and local events can change the drive.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting.

My verdict: book it for orientation and old-bus character

I would book this tour for the vintage bus experience, the broad view of the Three Cities, and David’s English commentary. The ride gives you useful historical context while showing you places that can be hard to connect on a first visit.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a 90-minute overview, not a full walking tour. The seats may be firm, roadworks can alter the route, museums cost extra, and the Tuesday schedule is narrow.

If that sounds fine, $24 is a sensible way to get your first look at Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. Afterward, you can return on your own to explore the waterfront, fortifications, squares, and museums that caught your eye.

FAQ

Where does the vintage bus tour leave from?

The tour leaves from Sliema Ferries at the seaside, near the Tanti Ice-Cream Kiosk.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at 2:15 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. departure and look for David, the driver.

Which language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English, with commentary from the driver.

How long does the tour last?

The vintage bus ride lasts 90 minutes.

Does the price include museum entrance?

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

When does the tour operate?

The tour runs on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. It is not available on public holidays.