A holiday in Malta wouldn’t be complete without a day-trip to Gozo. The sister island may be significantly smaller, but it offers unparalleled riches in terms of spectacular views, nature trails, gorgeous beaches and sumptuous artisanal food.
The best thing about Gozo’s size is that you can easily fit in all the sights in one day. A short ferry trip from Cirkewwa, at the northernmost tip of the island, will see you docking in Mgarr Bay in under 40 minutes. Get your camera ready to snap some Insta-worthy shots as the ferry passes right next to Blue Lagoon, Comino’s world-famous bay.
We have listed the top five unmissable places to visit in Gozo – the Gozo Ferry runs till late, so you’ll even manage to fit in dinner at one of the island’s award-winning restaurants!
1. Breakfast in Victoria
Take the bus to the island’s capital city and stop for a freshly-brewed coffee and maybe a nice breakfast at one of the quaint cafes that dots the main square. Afterwards, a quick hop around the tiny flea market might unearth some vintage treasure. Don’t leave without walking up to the Cittadella, the fortified citadel within the city that dates back to mediaeval times. The history is fascinating, and the views from the top magnificent.
2. Visit the Ggantija Temples
Take a journey down the annals of time at the megalithic temple complex from the Neolithic era, older even than the pyramids of Egypt. Standing on the edge of the Xaghra plateau, the temples are the world’s second oldest manmade religious structures and are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Photo-stop in Dwejra
This tiny Gozitan hamlet was made famous by the Azure Window, which has now succumbed to the ravages of time. Even so, the area attracts many visitors due to the spectacular inland sea, where you can swim in the deep, clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. Dwejra is also home to the magnificent Fungus Rock, the only site where an indigenous plant believed to have medicinal properties still grows on the island.
4. Coffee and ice-cream in Xlendi
Less wild, but just as beautiful is the fishing village of Xlendi, with its tiny sandy bay and the ice-cream shops and cafes dotting the coast. If the weather is right, don’t be scared of taking a quick dip – the temperature of the water stays in the high 20 degrees well into December in Malta!
5. Dinner with a view
It’s time to start winding down your Gozo excursion and to make your way back to Mgarr harbour. But before you hop on the ferry, why not stop for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants that line the cove? There are several places serving Maltese and Italian specialties, most of them with a view that stretches across Comino and all the way to Malta. L-ikla t-tajba!When staying at one of our hotels, ask for more information and reservations at the reception desk, our team will guide you to make your day in Gozo a memorable one.