Gozo: The Complete Guide — What to See, Where to Eat, How to Get There

Gozo is different. Quieter, greener, with different colours and a different rhythm. There is as much to see on this one island as on the whole of Malta — but without the crowds. Here is the complete guide.

How to Get to Gozo

From Malta: by bus or car to Ċirkewwa (the north-western tip of the island), then ferry to Mġarr harbour on Gozo. The crossing takes about 25 minutes.

• Ferry price: around €4.65 return for foot passengers — you only pay on the way back
• Runs 24 hours — every 45 minutes at night, more frequent during the day
• Foot passengers board immediately — no waiting. Cars can queue 1–2 hours at peak season.

Victoria and the Citadel — Heart of the Island

Victoria (Il-Belt) is the capital of Gozo. Its centre is the Citadel — a medieval fortress on a hilltop with a panoramic view over the entire island. Free entry. Inside: a cathedral, small museums, and narrow streets of golden limestone houses. Essential.

Below: the market on Republiki Street (Tuesday and Friday mornings — genuine local atmosphere) and cafes and shops for residents, not tourists.

Dwejra — A Geological Wonder

Dwejra is the most dramatic landscape on Gozo:

• Blue Hole: A natural underwater cave — one of the best diving sites in the Mediterranean. Enter the water through an opening in the rock.
• Inland Sea (Qawra): A small lagoon connected to the open sea by a tunnel. You can take a small boat through the tunnel — an extraordinary experience.
• Azure Window: The famous stone arch collapsed in March 2017. What remains is rock and sea — still beautiful, but the arch is gone. Many guides still list it — don't be misled.

Ramla Bay — The Most Beautiful Beach in the Archipelago

Rust-red sand, emerald water, a handful of parasols. This is not the Mediterranean cliché — this is Ramla Bay. Reach it by bus from Victoria or by car (about 15 min). The Calypso Cave above the beach — the legendary spot where the nymph held Odysseus for 7 years. The view down to the beach from the cave is breathtaking.

Marsalforn and the Xwejni Salt Pans

Marsalforn is Gozo's main seaside village — a small harbour, a few restaurants, and year-round activity. Just outside: the Xwejni Salt Pans, carved into the rock by Arabs in the Middle Ages. Sunset here is spectacular. Almost no crowds.

Xlendi — A Romantic Bay

A picturesque narrow bay surrounded by cliffs. Restaurants with terraces over the water, snorkelling, and quiet evenings. One of the most atmospheric spots in the entire archipelago.

Ta' Pinu Basilica

A grand white basilica in an isolated setting — one of the most important Catholic sanctuaries in the Mediterranean. Quieter and more peaceful than anything on Malta. Pilgrims and locals come here year-round. Free entry.

Ġgantija — Temples Older Than the Pyramids

Megalithic temples from 3600–2500 BC — older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two temples in one location. Context and visualisations in the small museum next door. Entry: around €10.

Where to Stay — Farmhouse with a Pool

Gozo's speciality: traditional stone farmhouses with a private pool — for 4–8 people. Prices from €800–€2,500 per week depending on season and standard. Book via Airbnb or gozo.com. This is the quintessential Gozo experience — an evening by the pool under the stars, silence, the scent of wild thyme.

Getting Around Gozo

Bus services exist but are infrequent and unreliable. On Gozo, renting a car is strongly recommended — from around €25–40 per day. Left-hand traffic as on Malta, narrow roads but far less congestion. Exception: Victoria and surroundings — the bus is sufficient there.