North Malta: Quad Bike Tour with Scenic Land, Sea & Swimming

Northern Malta is at its best when you can move between its rough country roads, high viewpoints, coastal forts, and swimming bays in one outing. This four-hour quad tour gives you that variety, with a route that reaches Selmun, Fort Campbell, Popeye Village, the Red Tower, and Armier Bay.

I like the small groups of up to eight and the useful hotel pickup, especially if you are staying far from Mellieha. I also like that the swim stop is built into the day rather than treated as an afterthought. The main catch is simple: you must drive your own quad, be at least 21, and accept that the ride can leave you dusty.

Key points to know

• A northern Malta route: Ride through Mellieha, Selmun, Armier, and coastal areas near Gozo and Comino.
• Popeye Village from above: Stop at viewpoints overlooking Anchor Bay and the famous film set.
• An optional one-hour swim: Weather permitting, you can swim at Armier Bay, with refreshments available to buy.
• Pickup and drop-off included: A driver collects you from your hotel or appointed meeting point.
• One quad per booked adult: A passenger can be added after selecting the booking.
• Practical age rule: Drivers must be 21 or older, and children under 12 are not accepted.

A four-hour ride through northern Malta

This is not a simple lap around a parking area. The route links several of Mellieha’s best-known sights, then adds the fun of driving between them under your own power. You receive a 10-minute operating and safety briefing at the quad base before putting on a helmet and setting out.

The activity is conducted in English with a live guide. The group limit is eight people, which matters on a vehicle tour. A smaller group makes it easier to hear instructions, keep the convoy together, and get individual help if you are new to quad riding.

The guides named in the tour’s feedback include Owin, Robin, Ahmed, Anna, and Ameen. Their most important job is not theatrical commentary. It is keeping the group safe, helping first-time drivers settle in, and allowing enough time at stops. That practical care is one of the strongest reasons this outing earns its high 4.8 rating from 142 ratings.

Selmun and Fort Campbell set the tone

The first stops are Selmun and Fort Campbell. These places introduce the northern part of Malta as more than a beach destination. You get open views, rural surroundings, and military history before the route reaches the more recognizable coast.

The guide provides introductory remarks at Fort Campbell and explains the day’s route. This is useful because the ride includes several stops, and you will enjoy it more if you know how the pieces fit together.

You should not expect long museum visits or formal entry into every site. No entry tickets are required, and the focus is on riding, views, and short stops. If you want a detailed historical tour, this will feel light. If you want to cover ground outdoors without spending the whole day walking, the balance works well.

The viewpoint above Popeye Village

One of the most appealing parts of the trip is the viewpoint near the eastern edge of Majjistral Nature and History Park. It sits among fields on the road between Mellieha, Manikata, and Popeye Village.

From this high point, you can look across the plateau, farmland around Manikata, and Malta’s northwest coast. The view gives you a better sense of the island’s scale than a quick visit to the film set alone. You see the contrast between cultivated fields inland and open sea along the coast.

The route then follows Triq tal-Prajjet toward Anchor Bay and Upper Popeye Village. Two photo stops are scheduled around Popeye Village. You can photograph the colorful film set from above rather than paying to enter it.

This is an important distinction. The tour takes you past the Popeye Village set and provides viewpoints, but entry to the attraction is not included or required. If your goal is to visit the set’s buildings and activities from inside, plan a separate visit. If your goal is a good coastal view and a memorable photo, the quad route covers that nicely.

Mellieha Bay, the Red Tower, and wide sea views

After leaving Popeye Village, the quads travel through the Mellieha Bay area toward the Red Tower. The guide gives information about the tower and the surrounding route.

The Red Tower is a strong photo stop because of its color and elevated position. It also helps explain why Malta’s northern coast is filled with watchtowers, forts, and lookout points. You are seeing a defensive coastline shaped by the need to watch the sea.

From there, the route continues to a radar station. This is one of the best places for views toward Gozo and Comino. The scenery is wide and exposed, so bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Malta’s light can be strong, and there is little reason to assume every stop will have shade.

The ride is likely to appeal most to you if you enjoy switching between action and short sightseeing breaks. You are not sitting on a coach all morning, but you are also not being asked to ride without pause. The guides stop for photographs and give you time to look around rather than rushing through each viewpoint.

Armier Bay brings the swimming break

The tour includes a weather-permitting stop at Armier Bay, with about one hour available for swimming. This is the part that changes the outing from a sightseeing ride into a full half-day activity.

Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. The swim is optional, so you can use the break to rest or enjoy the bay if the conditions do not suit you. Refreshments are available to purchase at the stop, but food and drinks are not included in the $96 price.

The swimming pause is valuable for another reason: quad riding can be tiring, especially in the sun. A proper break gives you time to cool off before the second part of the route. If you are booking during a cooler period or unsettled weather, keep your expectations flexible. The tour does not promise a swim in every condition.

The bay is also across from the Popeye Village area, giving you another angle on the coast. You can pair a swim with views back toward the film set, which makes this stop more distinctive than a generic beach break.

White Tower Bay and the cliff edge

Around noon, the route proceeds to White Tower Bay, then to the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, known as Kuncizzjoni Immakulata. These stops add variety after the beach break.

The chapel and the surrounding area offer a quieter side of northern Malta. The route then reaches l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha, at the edge of the cliffs. Here, the attraction is the exposed coastal setting and the views rather than an indoor visit.

You should wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty. The tour specifically advises outdoor clothing, and that is sensible. A quad gives you a closer look at country tracks and rougher areas than a standard road tour, but it also means dust and outdoor conditions are part of the deal.

Bare feet are not allowed, and comfortable shoes matter. Sandals may be fine for the beach portion, but they are not the practical choice for the riding itself.

Mellieha village closes the loop

Before returning to base, the quads pass through Mellieha village and stop in the village square. This final pause gives the day a town-center finish after hours of coast and countryside.

Mellieha is one of the main centers of northern Malta, so the village stop helps connect the scattered viewpoints to a real local community. It is not a long cultural visit, but it gives you a chance to pause before handing back the quad.

After the excursion, your driver takes you back to your hotel or original meeting point. Pickup and return transport are included, which can make a substantial difference if you are not staying near the quad base. One person staying in Birgu described the transfer as useful despite being more than 45 minutes away, though your exact pickup time and drive length will depend on your accommodation.

What the $96 price really covers

At $96 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see northern Malta. But the price includes more than quad hire alone: hotel transport, the vehicle, helmet, safety briefing, live English-speaking guide, multiple viewpoints, and the weather-permitting swim break.

The booking structure is important. Each adult booking represents one quad bike. A quad can carry one driver with or without one passenger, and pillion passengers can be added during the booking process. If two adults both want to drive, book two quads. If one person wants to drive and another only wants to ride along, confirm the passenger option when booking.

The strongest value comes if you want several kinds of activity in one morning. You get transport, outdoor sightseeing, a recreational ride, and time by the sea. The value is weaker if you dislike motor vehicles, prefer long historical visits, or plan to spend most of the day swimming.

Food and refreshments cost extra. Bring water, and budget for anything you want to buy at Armier Bay. A driver’s license is required, so do not arrive expecting to operate a quad without one.

Is quad riding suitable for first-timers?

You must be able to drive your own quad bike, but previous quad experience is not stated as a requirement. The 10-minute briefing covers operation and safety before the ride begins.

First-time drivers have found the guides patient and reassuring, especially when learning to handle the quad. That does not mean the activity is effortless. You need to listen carefully, follow the guide, keep control of the vehicle, and stay with the group.

Drivers must be at least 21. Children under 12 cannot take part. Non-drivers must ride as passengers with a driver, so this is not a suitable activity for a child who wants to operate a vehicle.

Do not take part if you are intoxicated, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited. These rules are basic, but important on a motorized outdoor activity.

How to prepare for a better morning

Wear closed-toe shoes, comfortable outdoor clothing, and clothes that can get dusty or dirty. Add sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water.

Pack a towel and beachwear if you want to swim. You will be happier if you treat the day as an outdoor activity rather than a polished sightseeing transfer. Keep valuables secure, and avoid bringing anything you would not want exposed to dust or water.

The tour lasts four hours, but the day starts earlier for anyone using pickup transport. Be ready at the appointed meeting point at the scheduled time. Complimentary transport is convenient, but it also means you should not assume you can arrive whenever you like.

The guides have been praised for allowing time at the photo stops and swim break. Even so, this remains a group ride. You will follow a set route rather than stopping wherever you choose.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, and active families with eligible adults. It suits you if you want to see northern Malta in a lively way and prefer moving between sights rather than spending the whole morning at one attraction.

It is also a good choice if your Malta plans already include churches, ruins, or city walking and you want a change of pace. One participant described it as a welcome outdoor break after several days of visiting ruins on foot. That is exactly the role this tour can play in a longer holiday.

You may prefer another activity if you want a quiet coastal cruise, a formal history tour, or a guaranteed swim. The ride is active, exposed to the weather, and dependent on your comfort with driving a quad.

Should you book the northern Malta quad tour?

Book it if you want a single half-day outing that combines coastal views, rural tracks, and swimming. The route is varied, the group is small, and hotel pickup removes much of the transport hassle. The high rating is backed by repeated praise for patient guides, careful driving support, good photo stops, and a fun ride.

Skip it if you cannot drive, are under 21, dislike dusty outdoor activities, or want detailed access to Popeye Village and Malta’s historic sites. For everyone else, $96 is a fair price for the amount packed into four hours, particularly when transport from your hotel is included.

Reserve with the swim as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Bring your license, closed shoes, towel, sunscreen, and a willingness to get a little dirty. That is the right mindset for this energetic look at northern Malta.

FAQ

How long is the quad bike tour?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. A driver collects you from your hotel or an appointed meeting point and returns you there after the tour.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to eight participants.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You must bring a driver’s license and be able to operate your own quad bike.

What is the minimum age for drivers?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old.

Can a passenger ride on the quad?

Yes. One quad can carry one driver with or without one passenger. Pillion passengers can be added during the booking process.

Is swimming included?

A swimming stop at Armier Bay is included when weather permits. Swimming is optional and lasts about one hour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and refreshments are not included, though refreshments are available to purchase at the Armier Bay stop.