Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience

Reviewed · VALLETTA WALKING TOURS

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience

4.9 · 377 reviews 2h 15m From $77 Operated by Malta Segway Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Segway your way through Valletta’s steep wonderland. This guided ride is one of the fastest ways to see UNESCO Valletta, with built-in photo breaks and big views of the Grand Harbour. After the Segway time, you can also add the 45-minute audio-visual show, the Malta Experience, when it’s available.

What I really like: the pacing feels practical, not rushed. You get hands-on Segway training early, and then the route keeps giving you moments to stop, look, and take photos (even if you can’t use your own camera). The guides, including names like Saif and Anthony, are also quick to help first-timers feel steady.

One consideration: cameras aren’t allowed during the tour. That means you’ll rely on the guide’s photo/video moments for memories.

Key highlights

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Key highlights

  • 1 hour 45 minutes on a Segway with training included
  • Regular photo stops plus breaks for walking and looking around
  • Upper Barrakka Gardens and Grand Harbour viewpoints on the route
  • Main Valletta highlights in a short city loop (squares, streets, and landmarks)
  • The Malta Experience show (45 minutes) after the ride, subject to opening and availability

More Valletta walking tours we have followed through the old streets

Valletta by Segway: why this beats the steep-street shuffle

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Valletta by Segway: why this beats the steep-street shuffle
Valletta is beautiful, but it can feel like it’s powered by hills. Roads tilt, sidewalks climb, and long walking days can wear you out faster than you expect. That’s exactly why this Segway tour works so well: you still get the sights, but your legs get a break.

You’re not just sitting in one place with a view. You’re moving through the capital like a local, taking in squares, streets, and viewpoints across different neighborhoods. The route is designed for sight breaks, so you’re not constantly rushing from one spot to the next.

I also like the balance here: it’s not only about the machine. You get a live guide who points out what you’re looking at and helps you understand how the city pieces connect. If you’ve never ridden before, it’s especially helpful because the early training makes a big difference.

Meeting at The Malta Experience: start point that actually makes sense

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Meeting at The Malta Experience: start point that actually makes sense
You meet your guide just outside The Malta Experience, the island’s audio-visual show venue. For me, that’s a practical choice. You’re not trying to hunt down some hidden street corner or guess where the group begins.

It also means the tour naturally pairs with the show later. You’ll already be in the right area, with the day’s story already set up: see the city first, then watch the show.

In the past, guides such as Saif and Luke have been praised for being friendly and supportive—especially for people who feel nervous at the start. So if you’re worried about your first ride, this meeting setup helps, because you’re in a familiar, central spot before you roll out.

Your Segway training and first minutes: built for beginners

This is not a “figure it out” activity. The Segway use includes about 1 hour 45 minutes total that incorporates training. The goal is to get you comfortable before you start moving through Valletta’s streets.

From what’s been shared by riders, the training is effective fast. Many first-timers say it takes only a short time to feel normal, and once you get the hang of balance, steering, and turning, things click quickly. A couple of helpful things you’ll likely notice during practice:

  • Turning is easier than you expect once you relax your arms and look where you want to go
  • Getting smoothly moving feels less scary after the first short attempts
  • The guide stays close enough that you don’t feel like you’re on your own

If you’re a nervous rider, you’ll be glad the guides tend to stay patient and attentive. Several guides—Anthony, Matthew, Luca—are specifically mentioned as calm, safety-focused, and good with people who need extra time.

A few more things worth doing across the Maltese Islands

St. George’s Square: the warm-up break and photo moment

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - St. George’s Square: the warm-up break and photo moment
After you meet at The Malta Experience, the tour starts by moving into central Valletta. One of the first stops is St. George’s Square, where you get a break and a photo stop.

Why this matters: it’s a gentle rhythm shift. You’ve learned the Segway basics, then you immediately get a chance to slow down, look around, and reset before the city loop turns more “real.”

Also, having early photo breaks helps you understand the tour style. You’re not sprinting from one viewpoint to the next. You stop when it’s worth stopping.

Republic Street and Merchants Street: the city grid you feel on a Segway

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Republic Street and Merchants Street: the city grid you feel on a Segway
Next up are streets that define the old-city feel: Republic Street and then Merchants Street.

On foot, these areas can be exhausting because of steep grades and stop-start crowds. On a Segway, you glide through while still absorbing the feel of the city. You also tend to get more range in a shorter time, which is great if you only have part of a day.

At Republic Street, there’s another photo stop plus scenic views on the way. Then at Merchants Street, you’ll have guided sightseeing as you pass through. This part of the route works like a moving “frame” for Valletta—less about one single monument, more about how the city flows.

If you’re the type who hates standing in lines or walking up and down hills for hours, this is where you’ll likely start relaxing into the experience.

Auberge de Castille: classic Valletta in one stop

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Auberge de Castille: classic Valletta in one stop
You’ll make a photo stop at Auberge de Castille. Even if you don’t know the building’s story in advance, you’ll feel the significance because it’s visually commanding and easy to recognize from the streets.

The value of this stop isn’t just the photo. It’s the way your guide connects the dots while you’re already moving through the neighborhood. Instead of treating each place as a random checkbox, you start seeing how Valletta’s important landmarks sit within the city’s layout.

And because there are Segway breaks built in, you don’t feel stuck in one place longer than you want.

Upper Barrakka Gardens: the viewpoint stop your legs will thank you for

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Upper Barrakka Gardens: the viewpoint stop your legs will thank you for
Then comes one of the smartest parts of the route: Upper Barrakka Gardens.

This stop includes a photo moment plus time for sightseeing and free time. You’ll also get a walk in this area, which is perfect for switching gears from Segway motion to actually standing and looking.

Why I like this garden stop: it gives you a true “Valletta breath” point. You’re high enough to appreciate the city’s shape, and it’s a natural place to slow down. It also helps your brain absorb what you’ve been seeing in motion.

If you’re traveling with teenagers (or anyone who normally tunes out on walking tours), viewpoints with a short walking segment can be a win. One rider noted this was a hit even with a 12-year-old who wasn’t excited about walking—because the Segway makes the heavy lifting easier while still delivering the scenery.

Grand Harbour: big sea views with real time to look

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Grand Harbour: big sea views with real time to look
After the gardens, you’ll head toward the Grand Harbour for another photo stop, guided sightseeing, and more free time.

This is the part of the tour that feels most like a postcard. But the practical value is the time you get to actually look. You’re not just rolling past a view—you have space to stand, look, and take in the water and fortification angles that make this harbor special.

And because you’re on a Segway, you can enjoy the walk-and-look time without feeling like you’ve paid for it with sore calves afterward.

Parliament of Malta and Triton Fountain: finishing the civic loop

Malta by Segway: Valletta Experience - Parliament of Malta and Triton Fountain: finishing the civic loop
As the tour continues, you’ll make photo stops around the Parliament of Malta and later Triton Fountain.

This is a nice finishing arc. The earlier stops help you get oriented in old Valletta streets, then you move into civic and public spaces that help complete the picture of the capital. The guide keeps it moving, but the photo breaks help you cap off the experience with recognizable landmarks.

If you love architecture and city planning, this final stretch is a good reminder that Valletta isn’t only about narrow streets and viewpoints. It’s also about how the city functions as a modern capital.

The Malta Experience show: how the 7000-year story lands after the ride

Your tour can include the Malta Experience audio-visual show after the Segway portion, when subject to availability and opening hours.

The show runs 45 minutes and focuses on a dramatic narrative: the islands’ 7000-year history, including how a small island nation survived turbulent eras and eventually prospered. It’s educational and entertaining, and it gives you context that you might not pick up just from walking through streets.

I think it’s a clever pairing with this Segway tour. The ride puts you into physical places in Valletta. Then the show connects those places to a bigger timeline. In other words, you’re not just collecting views—you’re also getting meaning.

Also, the show ticket is included, and you can skip the ticket line, which saves you from losing time right after your ride.

Price and value: is $77 worth it

At $77 per person for about 135 minutes, the value depends on what you compare it to.

If you were thinking of doing a long walking tour plus a separate museum or show, this is often a better deal for two reasons:

  1. You get a lot of ground in a short time, especially helpful in a hilly city
  2. You also get a ticketed 45-minute show as part of the package

You’re paying for convenience and time. The Segway part isn’t just fun—it’s functional. It lets you see more Valletta highlights without turning your day into a stair-climbing contest.

That said, it may not be worth it for you if:

  • You strongly prefer self-guided exploration with lots of time to linger
  • You really want to film and photograph everything yourself (since cameras aren’t allowed)

But if you want a guided overview that actually feels efficient, $77 can be fair.

Cameras, crowds, and comfort: what to know before you go

A few practical things can make or break your day.

First, no cameras are allowed. This surprises people at first. If taking photos is a big priority, plan to rely on the guide’s photo/video moments instead. Riders have mentioned guides took great photos and videos, so you’re not going completely without memories.

Second, first-time Segway riders often feel wobbly for a moment. That’s normal. The training and the guide’s support are built for that adjustment period. Several guides are also described as patient when someone slows down on hills.

Third, Valletta can be busy on popular days. One rider described the route even working well during the Notte Bianca festival period, with the guide navigating crowded areas. You may still feel traffic-like energy at times, but it’s handled through guidance and route choice.

Finally, this isn’t suitable for everyone: children under 12 aren’t recommended, and it’s not for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Who should book Valletta by Segway

I’d book this if you:

  • Want an easy way to see Valletta’s main highlights without spending the whole day walking up and down
  • Like guided history, but also want enough breaks to enjoy viewpoints
  • Have first-time Segway interest and want solid training and safety attention
  • Prefer a city overview that ends with a story-driven show

I might skip it if you:

  • Need to use your own camera during the tour
  • Can’t comfortably meet the physical requirements implied by Segway riding
  • Want a slow, no-rush wander with lots of unplanned detours

Should you book Valletta by Segway: Valletta Experience?

If you’re balancing limited time with a want to see a lot, I think you should book it. The mix of Segway sightseeing, viewpoint breaks like Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Grand Harbour, and the 45-minute Malta Experience show makes the whole plan feel stitched together instead of random.

Just go in with the right expectations: the experience is guided, timed, and camera-free on your side. If that’s fine, you’ll likely come away with a confident sense of Valletta—plus a story to match the views.

FAQ

How long is the Valletta by Segway experience?

The duration is listed as 135 minutes. The Segway portion is described as 1 hour 45 minutes including training, and the Malta Experience show is 45 minutes when available.

Where do I meet the tour leader?

You meet your tour leader just outside The Malta Experience.

Do I get training on the Segway?

Yes. Segway use includes training, and the tour includes a Segway guide.

What’s included besides the Segway ride?

Your ticket for the Malta Experience audiovisual show is included (45 minutes), subject to availability and opening hours. The tour also mentions skipping the ticket line.

Is the tour guide in English?

Yes. The live tour guide is English.

Are cameras allowed during the tour?

No. Cameras are not allowed.

Is there an age limit?

The tour is not suitable for children under 12.

Is it suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments?

No. It’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

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