Step-by-Step guide to reach the meeting spot by bus

Below is a set of easy instructions, including aerial photos and maps, for reaching Verdala Palace (outskirt limits of Rabat) by bus. First of all here are some important points about the bus transport system in Malta. Please read carefully this page and ideally print it for future reference when you are in Malta.

1. Most bus routes goes to any village or destination from the central main bus terminus at Valletta.
2. Must buses has a 2 digit number that corresponds to the destination village/place.
3. The Bus which go by Verdala Palace is number 81 which is the bus for the village of Dingli
4. Public buses have a yolk yellow colour.
5. Transport fee is usually 47c Euro per person for short-medium distances and 54c Euro for longer ones like this for Verdala.
6. Buses do not stop on every bus stop but the passenger has to ring the bell so as the driver knows that he has to stop on the next bus stop.
7. Bus schedules are frequent, approximately from 5 to 30mins depending on the destination. Bus number 81 leaves every 20-30mins so try and be in time as it is not that frequent.

Part 1:

Take the bus from the nearest bus stop of your hotel or flat to Valletta. The bus stops at the bus terminus and you would notice numerous buses around a big fountain - you cannot go wrong!

Part 2:

Walk to the area where the bus number 81 is situated (marked on the photo) in the Valletta Bus Terminus as shown in the picture below. This bus goes to the final destination of the village of Dingli, but it passes through Rabat and then through Verdala Palace + Buskett.

Part 3:

The bus takes the following route: Valletta, Floriana, Hamrun, Santa Venera, Attard, Rabat and keeps going to Dingli. Buskett is situated between Rabat and Dingli and the bus stop to descend the bus is situated exactly near the Verdala Palace. Below is a map of Malta with the places mentioned (violet track). A very good idea is that to ask the bus driver to draw your attention when the bus arrives to Verdala Palace.

Part 4:

When you arrive at Rabat, you are just few km (5 mins) from Verdala Palace. Below is a map of Rabat to Buskett area.

Part 5:

Below is a closer map between Rabat and Buskett, with a purple track from which the bus No. 81 drives, and the area where the bus stop / meeting place is situated. Basically, as soon as you start noticing the first Pine/Cypress tress growing very close to each other, just ring the bell. There are not many bus stops here so you cant go much wrong.

Part 6:

The bus stop is situated at a small square just at the gates to Verdala Palace. The Palace is hidden by large trees so do not try and locate it from the bus. Note that just before the location of the bus stop, there are a lot of high conifer trees, and hence this should indicate that you have arrived and ring immediately the bell. The meeting spot is actually in this small square just few metres away from the bus stop.

Step 8:

Please try an be on time as much as possible, since the tour leader is a strictly punctual guy and does not wait more than 5mins over 9:30! Calculate the time as follows:

1. Time for bus journey from your hotel to Valletta (ask reception for an idea) +
2. 10mins waiting in Valletta +
3. 45mins journey from Valletta to Buskett +