Gozo: Malta's green sister island, its temples and red beaches
Twenty-five minutes by ferry from Malta, the pace drops. Gozo has temples older than the pyramids, a citadel above its capital and a beach of red sand.
Gozo
Photo: Kyle Mintoff / Unsplash
Gozo: Malta in a lower gear
The ferry pulls away from Ċirkewwa and Comino slides past to port. Twenty-five minutes later you step ashore at Mġarr, and everything feels a little slower. Gozo is the second largest island in Malta, around a quarter the size of the main island, with greener hills, quiet villages and fewer visitors.
Many people visit on a day trip, but the island deserves at least one night. In the evening, once the day-trippers have taken the ferry back, you have the village squares to yourself. For the rest of the country, see our Malta travel guide.
Things to do on Gozo
The Ġgantija temples: two temples from around 3600 BC, older than both Stonehenge and the pyramids. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Citadel in Victoria: the fortress crowning the capital, with views over almost the whole island. Locals still call Victoria by its old name, Rabat.
Ramla Bay: the beach of reddish sand on the north coast, the best sandy beach on the island.
Dwejra: the cliffs in the west, where the Azure Window stood until it collapsed in 2017. Today people come for the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole dive site.
The salt pans at Xwejni: salt has been harvested in pools cut into the rock for hundreds of years. Lovely at sunset.
Xlendi: a narrow bay with restaurants on the water and cliff paths on both sides.
Wied il-Għasri: a tight gorge that ends at a small swimming spot with clear water.
The salt pans
Photo: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson / Unsplash
Diving on Gozo
Gozo is considered one of the best places to dive in the Mediterranean. Visibility often exceeds 30 metres, and many sites can be reached from the shore. The Blue Hole at Dwejra and the wrecks off Xlendi are the best known. There are dive centres in Xlendi, Marsalforn and Mġarr.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip covers the temples, the Citadel and a beach, but you will spend a lot of time driving. With two or three nights you also have time for the coastal paths, the diving and a long dinner in Xlendi or Marsalforn. Many places to stay are old farmhouses with pools, often let by the week.
How to get to Gozo
The car ferry runs from Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta to Mġarr around the clock and takes about 25 minutes. You only pay on the way back from Gozo. The fast ferry from Valletta goes straight to Mġarr in around 45 minutes. There are buses on the island, but a hire car or taxi makes life much easier.
When to go to Gozo
April to June and September to October are best, with warm weather and fewer people. In summer Ramla Bay and Xlendi get busy, especially at weekends when the Maltese take the ferry over. Winter is mild and quiet, and good for walking the coastal paths. For beaches across the country, see the best beaches in Malta.
Frequently asked questions about Gozo
How long is the ferry to Gozo?
The car ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr takes around 25 minutes and runs around the clock. The fast ferry from Valletta takes around 45 minutes.
Is Gozo worth visiting?
Yes. Gozo is quieter and greener than Malta, with some of the oldest temples in the world, good beaches and some of the best diving in the Mediterranean.
Can you do Gozo as a day trip?
Yes, many people do. With the ferry from Ċirkewwa you can see the temples, the Citadel and a beach in a day, but a night or two makes the trip far more relaxed.
What is Gozo known for?
The Ġgantija temples, the Citadel in Victoria, the red sand of Ramla Bay, the salt pans and the diving at Dwejra.