Charge your phones, wear some comfy clothes and don’t forget your headphones; we’re about to go on a road trip. These are the eight most scenic bus routes around Malta, just in case you feel like blocking off an afternoon to discovering someplace new. 

1. Route 133: The Capital

Valletta Ring Road

Let’s kick things off with something short and sweet. Valletta’s ring-road route might be a very quick one, but Malta’s capital is a gorgeous World Heritage Site with views for days.

2. Route 2: The Knights Tour

Valletta – Birgu

Just in case Valletta’s route makes you want to cross the Grand Harbour to check out the Three Cities of Cottonera, this short route (traffic-permitting) takes you around Bormla and Birgu, cities with a combined history which trumps most of the island (and the world).

3. Route 81: The Beautiful South

Valletta – Marsaxlokk

Celebrating the best the South has to offer, Route 81 passes through Ħal Tarxien, Żejtun and Bir id-Deheb, finally stopping at the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

4. Route 74: Temple Run

Valletta – Żurrieq

One of Malta’s super scenic routes, this one has a long list of awesome stops. Going down to the Southwest, Route 74 actually has a bus stop called Panorama in Żurrieq, but it also features the curious Maqluba sinkhole in Qrendi. It also comes with flawless views of tiny Filfla.

But one of the main stops of this route is Ħaġar, which passes right by the famous Ħaġar Qim Temples… some of the oldest standing structures in the world, predating the pyramids of Egypt by about 1,000 years.

5. Route 52: The Cliffs Route

Valletta – Dingli

Dingli Cliffs is the highest point in Malta, and that makes for some jaw dropping views. While it does end in Ħad Dingli, this route also goes through bustling cities like Birkirkara and Attard

6. Route 44: Beach Bonanza

Valletta – Għajn Tuffieħa

Għajn Tuffieħa is one of Malta’s most beautiful beaches, and a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike. But even if the glorious beach is Route 44’s final destination, the journey is just as amazing, with the extremely traditional Mġarr making an awesome cameo.

7. Route 225: Beach Bonanza II

Valletta – Għajn Tuffieħa

This one still stops in Għajn Tuffieħa, but takes an entirely different route. Passing by the Northern coastline, Route 225 has it all; Sliema, Pembroke, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, il-fucking Coast Road, Qawra and Saint Paul’s Bay.

8. Route 302: Go Zo

Rabat (Gozo) – Ramla l-Ħamra

Gozo is as small as it is stunning, and each and every bus route on Malta’s sister island is gorgeous AF. If we had to choose one route, though, we’d go for the one which goes down to the beautiful Ramla l-Ħamra beach. 

BONUS: Route X1: One Route To End Them All

Ħal Luqa – Ċirkewwa

Over an hour long (sometimes well over) and crossing a very big part of the island, Route X1 starts from the airport and ends at the Gozo Ferry. Featuring… well, nearly everything!

Which is your favourite bus route? Let us know in the comments!

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).