North Malta Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: A Candid Review

If you’re planning a trip to Malta, the North Malta Hop-On Hop-Off tour is almost certainly something you’ve stumbled across, and very understandably, it sounds like quite a good way to check out a number of the key places. The tour offers a way to see spots in the north of Malta at your own speed, jumping off at whatever places grab your interest. This detailed review will give you the inside scoop, covering all you could really want to know, which helps you make an informed decision as to whether or not it matches the kind of trip you like.

First Impressions of the North Malta Route

The North Malta route basically sets off from Bugibba, taking you on what turns out to be quite a winding path around the northern bit of the island. From the get-go, the concept is appealing: you buy a ticket, and, in that case, you can board the bus at any of its stops and hop off when you want to have a better look at something. Stops can include spots, such as the Malta National Aquarium, Bugibba Square, Qawra Coastline, and even St. Paul’s Bay. It could be an easy way to get your bearings and scope out possible things to do during your stay. Now, my initial excitement was noticeably tempered as the bus got going.

The buses themselves could be in a bit better condition, maybe. Very occasionally, I noticed some of the buses look a little careworn, a bit like they’ve seen quite a lot of service in the sun, so too that’s not exactly a deal-breaker, it’s still worth keeping in mind, especially if you happen to be expecting luxury travel. Another thing to consider is that the frequency stated on the schedules might not be totally accurate. You might experience a bit of a wait, which can definitely throw a wrench in your carefully planned schedule, if you’re someone who is very precise about these things.

Stops and Sights: Are They Worth It?

Let’s talk about what you actually get to see. The North Malta route covers a range of attractions, which could be said to be a bit mixed. On one hand, you have sights such as the Malta National Aquarium which is certainly a must-visit for anyone fascinated by marine life. St. Paul’s Bay offers the kind of postcard-worthy scenes you might be dreaming of, yet very occasionally it can be a little overcrowded, especially during the peak tourist season. And then there are some stops that, well, perhaps aren’t quite as impressive.

I hopped off at a couple of the spots that were supposed to showcase local crafts and produce, yet I ended up feeling a bit underwhelmed. It sometimes felt that these stops were geared far too much toward tourists, instead of offering an experience that felt more authentic. A good piece of advice might just be to do some more digging on what to expect at each stop beforehand, in order to decide what is unmissable for you, that is. Is that so hard to do?

Audio Commentary: Tuning In or Tuning Out?

The audio commentary, offered in quite a few languages, aims to provide insights into the spots you’re seeing. That’s great in theory, of course. In practice, however, the execution may be hit-or-miss, in some respects. Sometimes the information seemed interesting and well-researched, painting a detailed picture of Malta’s history and culture. At other times, however, the commentary could tend to be a bit bland, or that it glosses over a bit much of what is supposedly quite fascinating stuff.

And yet it must be said that the synchronization between the commentary and the places you’re passing wasn’t always spot-on, and arguably that may well lead to moments of confusion, and frankly can make you just switch off entirely, I think. If you happen to be hoping for something that is truly insightful, perhaps think of supplementing the tour with a more thorough guidebook, I would argue. Oh yes, for sure.

Practical Tips for the North Malta Tour

If, at the end of the day, you do make a decision to take the North Malta Hop-On Hop-Off tour, these practical bits of advice may prove really helpful. First, it’s so, so worth it to get going early. This enables you to, in fact, beat some of the crowds, so too that you can make the most of your day before the buses become a bit more packed.

Always have some sunscreen and water with you. The Maltese sun will really do its work on you, and arguably, staying hydrated is really a must. Bear in mind that the upper deck is mostly uncovered, so too that you can get really burnt, basically, if you’re not careful. You need to check the bus schedule. It’s important, to plan out your stops, yet in fact to allow for flexibility, that is, in case of delays, more or less. If you really plan too precisely, you’re setting yourself up for at the very least some feelings of stress and anxiety, almost.

Think very carefully about where you may want to hop off. Consider the amount of time it’s going to take you to enjoy each spot, to explore and just to get back to the bus stop, very much. Be prepared for possible waits, because the buses are seemingly not always on schedule, basically, and have patience if you happen to find yourself needing it. Last but not least, and probably most significantly, grab a map and also do just a little bit of research regarding what is on offer at each stop before you go, more or less.

Is the North Malta Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Worth It?

Now, to that very big question: is the North Malta Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, in fact, worth it? You could argue it’s quite a mixed bag, arguably. For the price, it does offer a means of getting an intro to some key sights around North Malta. Yet the somewhat spotty commentary, occasional bus delays and very much the varying quality regarding the stops really can affect the experience.

Should you appreciate the freedom and also flexibility of exploring at your speed and just generally seeing the places from the higher deck, it really might just do it for you. But still be ready for just a few of the downsides and plan accordingly. It’s more or less a means of getting around to key sites that just might be more suitable for those with more limited time to see a number of places. However, maybe seasoned travelers might just want to think about better alternatives.