Maltese Bus Tour to the Aviation Museum, Mosta Dome & World War II Shelters | Half-day

Experience Malta’s heritage on a unique tour aboard a traditional Maltese bus locally called the Xarabank. These buses, built between the 1950s and 1970s, were brightly painted in red, purple, blue, and other colours to indicate the areas they served. Their interiors and exteriors were decorated with passenger messages, patron saint names, song lyrics, slogans, chrome details, and various accessories, creating a vibrant moving artwork. Today, these buses are rarely used, reserved for weddings, tourist events, and special occasions, making this ride a nostalgic and culturally immersive experience.

The tour begins at the Aviation Museum, located on the former Royal Air Force airfield in Ta’Qali. Spread across three hangars, the museum explores the island’s aviation history with exhibits from the Second World War and post-war era, including restored and airworthy aircraft. Next, guests visit the Mosta Rotunda, famous for its massive unsupported dome and its miraculous survival during World War II when a German bomb pierced the roof but did not explode. Visitors explore the sacristies, prestigious artifacts, a model of the church, a replica of the bomb, and the portico, bell tower, and inner gallery. The final stop is the World War II Shelter next to the church, hand-dug in 1940 to protect families during air raids, now featuring exhibitions of tools and old trades. The tour concludes with a taste of local savouries, completing a journey through Malta’s vibrant cultural, religious, and wartime history.