Sliema: Gozo Full Day with Opentop Bus and Comino Caves

Gozo packs a lot into one day. This $85 trip combines a fast boat from Sliema, an open-top bus around Gozo, and a boat visit to Comino’s Santa Maria Caves. I especially like the mix of ancient sites and coastal views, plus the speedboat ride, which adds real excitement instead of treating transport as a chore.

I also like that the route includes Victoria, Ta’ Pinu Basilica, the Ggantija Temples, and Fontana Cottage in one outing. The main drawback is time: five hours on Gozo sounds generous, but the fixed return boat can make the hop-on hop-off bus feel rushed if you want proper visits rather than quick photo stops.

Key points to know before booking

• A 40-minute speedboat ride begins the day with views of Malta’s coast and St. Paul’s Islands.
• Five hours on Gozo includes sightseeing by open-top double-decker bus and visits to several major sites.
• Victoria’s Citadel offers the clearest high viewpoint and a taste of Gozo’s medieval center.
• Ggantija Temples predate the pyramids of Egypt, but entrance fees are not included.
• Santa Maria Caves are viewed from the boat, with about 15 minutes of cruising around Comino.
• The pace favors coverage over depth, so plan to make only a few longer stops.

Why this Gozo and Comino trip works

This is a good choice if you want to see two Maltese islands in one day without arranging several separate tickets. The route gives you a broad introduction to Gozo, then adds Comino’s sea caves before finishing at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay.

I like the way the trip divides its time. Gozo receives the main block, about five hours, while Comino provides a short but scenic finale. You get history, countryside, coastal views, and boat time without spending the whole day on one type of activity.

The $85 price is reasonable if you value convenience. Round-trip speedboat transport, a Gozo bus tour, and the Comino boat visit are included. Meals, drinks, hotel transfers, and entrance tickets are extra, so the final cost will be higher if you visit the paid attractions or buy lunch along the way.

This is not a slow, flexible island tour. It is a compact sampler. I would choose it if your Malta trip is short and you want the main sights in one outing. If you prefer long museum visits, quiet village walks, or the freedom to linger, the timetable may feel tight.

Starting at Sliema and crossing by speedboat

The meeting point is opposite Chequers Bar in Sliema. From there, you board a fast speedboat for a cruise of roughly 40 minutes toward Gozo.

The boat ride is one of the strongest parts of the day, especially for anyone who enjoys being on the water. You can expect views of Malta’s rugged coast and St. Paul’s Islands, which are noted for their historical importance and striking offshore position. The ride turns the transfer into part of the sightseeing.

A speedboat is also quicker and more exciting than a slower ferry-style crossing. That saves time for Gozo, though it comes with a tradeoff: people prone to seasickness or motion sickness may find the ride uncomfortable. The trip specifically excludes people with these concerns, so take that warning seriously rather than treating it as a minor footnote.

Wear light clothing, bring water, and keep sunscreen and a hat close by. A camera is useful here, but protect it from spray and hold onto loose belongings during the ride. Smoking is not allowed.

Seeing Gozo from an open-top double-decker bus

Once you reach Gozo, you board a double-decker bus for a scenic circuit around the island. The open top should give you broad views as you move between villages, coast, religious sites, and ancient monuments.

This format is useful because Gozo’s attractions are spread out. You do not need to arrange several taxis or work out local connections, and the driver provides the practical link between the stops. The English-language operation also keeps the day simple for English-speaking visitors.

The catch is the schedule. You have about five hours in Gozo, but that time includes movement between stops. If you try to use the bus as a full hop-on hop-off service, you may manage only two stops of about 45 minutes each before needing to return for the boat.

That matters because some places can only be appreciated with time on foot. You may need to choose between a longer visit at Victoria, a proper look at Ggantija, and extra stops around the island. I would decide your priorities before leaving Sliema instead of trying to see everything once you arrive.

For the best use of time, treat the bus as a guided sightseeing route with selected stops, not as unlimited public transport. Sit upstairs when possible for the broadest views, but keep a lower seat in mind if the sun is strong or the ride becomes windy.

Victoria and the Citadel: Gozo’s historic center

Victoria is Gozo’s medieval capital, and its Citadel is the key stop. The fortified center rises above the surrounding area and provides wide views across the island.

I would make this one of your priority visits. The Citadel gives you a clear sense of Gozo’s shape and settlement pattern, while the old defensive walls provide the strongest setting for understanding the island’s past. It is also a good place to get your bearings early in the day.

Expect walking on historic surfaces and some time outdoors. Comfortable shoes matter here, especially if you plan to explore beyond the main stopping point. The tour warns you to prepare for a moderate amount of walking, so this is not a sit-back-and-see-it-all outing.

The time limit can be frustrating. Victoria deserves more than a quick circuit, yet the fixed schedule may require you to keep moving. If you care most about history and views, spend your longest Gozo stop here and accept that another attraction may receive only a brief look.

Ggantija Temples and Malta’s ancient past

The Ggantija Temples are among the most important stops on the route. They predate the pyramids of Egypt, which gives the site an impressive sense of age even before you consider the stone construction itself.

This is the place where the tour moves beyond pretty views. Ggantija connects Gozo to a much older chapter of human history and gives the day real cultural weight. If you have never visited Malta’s prehistoric temple sites, this may be the most distinctive stop.

Entrance fees are not included, so budget extra if you want to enter. The tour includes the visit as a destination, but the supplied information does not specify the admission price or how long the bus remains there. Check the available timing before paying for entry, since a rushed visit can feel poor value.

I would not skip Ggantija simply because the stop is short. Even a limited visit can help you understand why Gozo is more than a beach and boat destination. Just keep your expectations realistic: this is a scheduled group stop, not an extended archaeological visit.

Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Fontana Cottage

Ta’ Pinu Basilica offers a very different mood from Ggantija. It is a major pilgrimage site and an architectural highlight, giving you a chance to see Gozo’s religious character as well as its ancient monuments.

The basilica is especially useful as a contrast within the day. After the open views and massive prehistoric stones at Ggantija, Ta’ Pinu brings you into a place shaped by faith and local devotion. Even if you are not religious, the setting and design make it a worthwhile photo stop.

Fontana Cottage adds a smaller-scale view of Gozo. Instead of a major monument, you get a glimpse of the island’s rustic countryside and traditional character. The stop helps break up the larger headline attractions and gives the route some local texture.

Neither location should be treated as a long, unhurried visit unless the timetable allows it. The route covers several places, and each one competes for the same five-hour window. I would think of Ta’ Pinu and Fontana Cottage as valuable supporting stops, while Victoria and Ggantija are likely to be the main reasons you choose this particular route.

Comino’s Santa Maria Caves by boat

After the Gozo circuit, you return to the port and board the speedboat again for the trip toward Comino. The cruise around Santa Maria Caves takes about 15 minutes.

This is a short stop, but it changes the rhythm of the day. The caves are known for clear water and dramatic rock formations, and seeing them from the boat gives you a better view of the coastline than a quick walk along shore would.

Do not expect a long swim, landing, or cave exploration on foot. The supplied schedule describes a boat visit, so the experience is mainly about viewing the formations from the water. That makes it easy to fit into the day, but it also means the cave portion may feel brief if you were hoping for a full Comino outing.

I like this addition because it gives you a second island without adding another complicated transfer. The boat ride also provides a pleasant final stretch before the tour ends at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The advertised duration is 6.5 hours. The listed sequence is about 40 minutes by boat from Sliema, roughly five hours around Gozo, and about 15 minutes around Comino, with additional time for boarding and transfers.

The schedule is the central practical issue. A useful planning detail is the reported 3:50 pm speedboat return. If you miss that departure, the day’s transport plan no longer works as intended. Keep an eye on the time, return to the agreed bus or port point early, and do not assume the bus will wait.

Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A hat
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Light clothing
• A camera

There is no meal or drink included, so carry water and plan for food costs. The provided information does not specify meal stops, so I would not count on a long lunch break. The open-top bus and boat expose you to the sun, making water and sun protection more important than they might seem when you leave Sliema.

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, people over 70, or anyone prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Those limits reflect the speedboat, walking, and fixed pace. If any of these concerns apply to you, choose a gentler way to visit Gozo.

Who gets the best value from the $85 price

I think the price works best for first-time visitors with limited time in Malta. You receive transport between islands, a structured Gozo route, and a Comino cave cruise without needing to coordinate several operators.

Families with older children may also enjoy it. The speedboat is a major attraction in its own right, and the combination of boat travel and an open-top bus keeps the day varied. A 13-year-old, in particular, may find the speedboat more memorable than the historic stops, so the trip can satisfy different interests within one family.

The value is weaker if you already know Gozo well or want to explore independently. You pay for ease and coverage, not for complete control over your day. Entrance tickets and food are extra, and the limited stop times may leave you wishing you had chosen one or two sights instead.

I would compare this trip with your own priorities. If the goal is to collect a broad set of Gozo highlights and add Comino’s caves, the price is fair. If the goal is a relaxed archaeological or village visit, look for a slower plan.

Should you book this Gozo and Comino tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient day with speedboat travel, major Gozo sights, and a short Comino cruise in one package. It is particularly useful for a short Malta stay, families with older children, and visitors who prefer arranged transport over figuring out island connections.

Skip it if you dislike boats, need generous walking time, or want to spend half a day at one attraction. The best way to enjoy this tour is to choose your top two Gozo priorities before you arrive, then use the remaining stops as welcome bonuses rather than promises of a complete island visit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the boat departure point opposite Chequers Bar in Sliema.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is 6.5 hours.

How long is the speedboat ride from Sliema?

The listed boat cruise from Sliema takes about 40 minutes.

How much time is spent on Gozo?

The Gozo portion is listed as approximately five hours, including the sightseeing route by double-decker bus.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. Entrance fees to the sights are not included in the price.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. You need to pay separately for meals and drinks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.