13 enjoyable issues to do in Gozo 2023

Whereas Malta is packed stuffed with historic sights, its sister island Gozo makes a quiet retreat which you can simply go to in a day. Right here you’ll discover a calmer ambiance, with a fortified citadel, boat journeys, turquoise bays for swimming and inexperienced countryside for strolling. Examine all of the issues to do in Gozo and the 1 day itinerary we advocate, utilizing public transport or rent automotive.

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1. Victoria and the Citadel

Gozo’s capital of Victoria is positioned within the centre of the island, its elevated place permitting early warning of raids from the ocean. The Citadel is a fortified sixteenth century metropolis, contained inside excessive partitions and bastions, whereas the extra fashionable a part of Victoria, often called Rabat, lies outdoors the partitions.

In 1551 Ottoman forces attacked Gozo and took virtually all of the inhabitants as slaves, after which the town was closely fortified to make a sanctuary in occasions of assault. Till 1637 it was legislation for the inhabitants of Gozo to sleep throughout the citadel partitions, however as soon as the island turned extra peaceable, most residents moved outdoors the partitions to Rabat.

It’s free to stroll across the Citadel, though there’s a cost to go to sure areas such because the customer centre, cathedral and varied museums throughout the partitions. In the event you solely have someday with heaps extra locations to go to in Gozo, I’d recommend skipping the museums and simply wander across the atmospheric outdated streets.

You’ll first arrive within the spectacular central sq. going through the facade of the baroque cathedral devoted to Santa Marija. Even in the event you don’t have a ticket to go to the cathedral and museum, you possibly can nonetheless step contained in the entrance to make a photograph of the inside.

Views from the partitions of the citadel

Persevering with alongside the lanes behind the cathedral will deliver you up onto the partitions of the bastion, with views over the countryside.

As you circle across the outer partitions, observe the stays of buildings that after housed quite a few households, ending at a pleasing cafe to cease for a drink or a meal. Enable round an hour to stroll across the citadel and two hours in the event you plan to go to the cathedral and museums.

After visiting the citadel of Victoria, stroll down the hill and cross the primary street, wandering by means of the lanes to St George’s Sq.. This beautiful sq. has quite a few cafes the place you may like to take a seat with a espresso. It’s watched over by the St George’s Basilica, which is free to go to.

It is a good place to buy native souvenirs and we particularly favored the Preti Artigjaneli store within the sq., promoting presents impressed by Maltese doorways and tiles.

Most bus routes round Gozo begin from Victoria, so this is a superb place to base your self in the event you plan to remain on Gozo for a number of days and don’t need to rent a automotive.

High excursions in Gozo

Gozo Hop on hop off bus – an awesome choice that visits a lot of the principal Gozo sights and permits you to get off and go to the locations that curiosity you most.

Tuk Tuk tour of Gozo and lunch with driver – A enjoyable option to see Gozo by Tuk Tuk, with a driver to be able to sit again and loosen up.

Gozo full day Quad Bike Tour – The extra adventurous will take pleasure in this quad bike tour across the seashores, magnificence spots and factors of curiosity in Gozo.

Self drive e-jeep guided tour of Gozo – Today tour of Gozo by jeep permits you to drive your personal electrical powered jeep in a convoy, with a pacesetter to indicate you the best way.

Two Island Tour: Blue Lagoon Comino and Gozo by Tuk Tuk – This tour gives you a late morning boat journey to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Tuk Tuk Tour of Gozo.

Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour by Quad Bike with dinner – Beginning in Valletta, this full day tour consists of 2 hours of swimming within the Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Quad Bike tour of Gozo because the solar units.

2. Xlendi Bay

From Victoria, head south in direction of the beautiful bay of Xlendi, with clear turquoise water that’s nice for swimming. Like a lot of Malta, the panorama of Gozo is beginning to undergo from a constructing growth that creates excessive rise improvement across the bays like Xlendi and much more constructed up Marsalforn.

We discovered 6 story fashionable condo blocks creeping up the hillside fairly unattractive, however nonetheless the water right here is evident and there are some wonderful eating places across the sea entrance.

If you’re searching for a correct seafood lunch, this might be the place to cease for some time. In any other case you possibly can stroll alongside either side of the bay, and naturally swim in summer season.

Walks from Xlendi

The steps and cliff path on the north aspect of Xlendi bay leads you to a small sea cave often called Carolines Cave, which was gifted to the native Augustinian nuns as a secluded swimming spot.

On the south aspect of the bay, a path follows the rocky shore and leads you to the Xlendi tower on the headland. The strolling path continues alongside the cliffs, round one other bay for views of the Snaap Cliffs and past so far as Sannat.

3. Dwejra Inland Sea & Boat Journey

After calling in at Xlendi, I’d advocate heading subsequent to Dwejra, on Gozo’s west coast. A spotlight of our day in Gozo was the quick boat journey from Dwejra inland sea across the cliffs and sea caves. This was the location of the well-known Azure Window sea arch that was one of many prime issues to see in Gozo, however collapsed after a storm in 2017.

The grandly named “inland sea” is definitely a small lagoon of sea water, stuffed by means of a slender tunnel by means of the cliffs that takes you into the open sea. Small boats collect right here, able to take guests out by means of the tunnel on a 20 minute boat journey, costing a modest €4.

There’s no reserving required, simply flip up and pay in money, then the boats will go away as soon as there are sufficient individuals – usually 6-8 individuals per boat. The journey takes you thru the tunnel and into the open sea, previous the spectacular cliffs and into a few sea caves the place the boatmen will level out the readability and intense blue of the water.

It’s permitted to swim by means of the ocean tunnel and this can be a in style dive web site. Nonetheless, I most likely wouldn’t do that until you might be a part of an organised diving journey, are an skilled open water swimmer and have a colored marker float with you, since there’s a hazard that boats might not see you.

Azure Window and Blue Gap

As you cross the cliffs you’ll spot the location of the Azure Window, a sea arch that was a preferred vacationer attraction till its collapse. Just a little additional is The Blue Gap, a well-known dive web site in a limestone sinkhole that may be accessed by strolling over the rocks.

After our quick boat journey we walked over the rocky shore to check out the Blue Gap and the location of the Azure Window from the opposite course. Among the many rock swimming pools, you possibly can see small fossils of sea creatures embedded within the rock.

Arrange on the shore is the Dwejra Tower, a sq. seventeenth century watch tower, which is open to the general public. In Dwejra Bay is a bulbous rock formation, often called the Fungus Rock, which was the location of a medicinal plant that was a lot valued by the Knights of St John for its therapeutic properties.

Dwejra Bay and inland sea might be reached on the 311 public bus from Victoria, is a cease for the hop on hop off bus and is included in most excursions of Gozo. There’s a automotive park there in case you are driving and a small cafe for a espresso or lunch.

4. Ta’Pinu Shrine

The street to Dwejra Bay will take you thru the village of Gharb, the place there are a pair extra stops you may prefer to make. Ta’Pinu Shrine stands alone surrounded by countryside and the scene was particularly fairly once we visited in spring, with the wild flowers blooming by the roadside. This basilica is devoted to the Blessed Virgin of Ta’Pinu, and is constructed on the location of a smaller sixteenth century chapel.

There are a lot of tales and miracles attributed to the church, making it a holy place of pilgrimage for Catholics. In 1575 when the chapel was as a result of be demolished, the primary workman to strike a blow broke his arm, which was taken as an indication that work ought to stop.

Later within the Eighteen Eighties a neighborhood lady named Karmni Grima heard a voice calling from the church for her to say three Hail Marys, and a neighborhood farmer and healer Francis Merċieċa helped many native individuals within the title of Our Woman of Ta’Pinu. On account of their devotions, phrase unfold and plenty of pilgrims started to go to the small chapel.

Constructing of the Ta’Pinu Basilica

Within the Twenties, the present a lot bigger church was constructed on the location of the church which was subsequently visited by three completely different popes who supplied prayers within the basilica. The outside and method to Ta’Pinu shrine are spectacular, with colored mosaic on all sides of the piazza exhibiting scenes from the lifetime of Christ. On the other aspect of the street you possibly can climb Ghammar Hill to cross the 14 stations of the cross and get a pleasant view again in direction of the Basilica.

Contained in the Basilica, the interiors are comparatively easy in comparison with the complete on gold and vibrant color of different church buildings in Malta. There’s a formidable central altarpiece and the unique chapel stays however is hidden behind the sanctuary.

Within the close by village of Gharb is the Karmi Grima museum, named after the native lady who heard the decision of Our Woman on the Ta’Pinu chapel. The basilica is among the Gozo sights that demonstrates the sturdy Catholic religion within the islands of Malta and is an attention-grabbing cease for a brief go to.

High excursions in Gozo

Gozo Hop on hop off bus – an awesome choice that visits a lot of the principal Gozo sights and permits you to get off and go to the locations that curiosity you most.

Tuk Tuk tour of Gozo with lunch and driver – A enjoyable option to see Gozo by Tuk Tuk, with a driver to be able to sit again and loosen up.

Gozo full day Quad Bike Tour – The extra adventurous will take pleasure in this quad bike full day tour across the seashores, magnificence spots and factors of curiosity in Gozo.

Self drive e-jeep guided tour of Gozo – Today tour of Gozo by jeep permits you to drive your personal electrical powered jeep in a convoy, with a pacesetter who will present you the best way.

Two Island Tour: Blue Lagoon Comino and Gozo by Tuk Tuk – This tour gives you a late morning boat journey to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Tuk Tuk Tour of Gozo.

Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour by Quad Bike with dinner – Beginning in Valletta, this full day tour consists of 2 hours of swimming within the Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Quad Bike tour of Gozo because the solar units.

5. Ta’ Dbieġi Crafts Village

If you’re keen on regionally made crafts and souvenirs, the Ta’ Dbieġi Crafts Village in Gharb offers a one cease store of native artisans and craft shops. The low buildings have been beforehand used as a army camp, now repurposed as a small advanced of various retailers. Every one homes completely different crafts like handcrafted pottery, metalwork, leather-based, lace and glass blowing.

In excessive season lots of the craft employees might be seen giving demonstrating their crafts, though it was quiet once we regarded round. There’s a small cafe serving conventional dishes at lunchtime in addition to an artisan bakery that has an awesome number of native muffins and pastries.

The Crafts Village might be simply mixed with a go to to close by Ta’Pinu Shrine and is on the street to Dwejra Bay, so price a cease if heading in that course.

6. Wied Il-Ghasri

After visiting the websites round Gharb, we headed in direction of Gozo’s northern shore. Wied Il-Ghasri is among the inlets that cuts into the limestone cliffs on the coast of Gozo. This slender gorge like valley reduce into the limestone ends on the sea, the place there’s a small seashore for swimming.

Use an internet map to seek out the situation, however go away your automobile parked by the primary street and stroll a brief distance alongside the stony monitor to the highest of the gorge. We did see vans and jeeps driving down the unmade monitor however it regarded far too tough for us to need to danger our rent automotive!

Above the seashore are stone steps that lead you down, providing beautiful views of the inlet, with its clear, inexperienced water. When the ocean is calm this a calming place to swim and snorkel, with the steep sides of the gorge rising on both aspect.

Just a little additional west alongside the coast, and accessible by a strolling path alongside the clifftop, is the Wied il-Meilah rock arch. The arch is a smaller model of the Azure Window at Dwejra that collapsed and there’s a stairway resulting in a viewing level. Each spots are related by the Ta’ Ġurdan strolling path that makes a round route from the village of Gharb.

You possibly can stroll alongside the highest of the cliff on one aspect of Wied il-Ghasri, which might be a beautiful picnic spot. The entire valley is understood for its wildflowers, prickly pears and capers that develop alongside the stony partitions of the valley.

7. Xwejni Salt Pans

There are salt pans in a number of places round Malta and Gozo, however the most effective place to see these shut up is Xwejni on Gozo’s north coast. After visiting Wied Il-Meilah, we adopted the coast street the place it’s simple to identify the salt pans making a photogenic chequer board impact, near sea degree. Park by the roadside and wander right down to take a better have a look at the salt pans, that have been hand reduce from the limestone mattress rock.

Salt is generally harvested by means of the summer season months, utilizing sea water that’s pumped into the shallow swimming pools. After the water has evaporated, the salt crystals are swept up and made into piles, so the solar can dry the salt additional.

Previously giant portions of salt have been produced for preserving meals. Today it’s extra of an artisan craft, continued by only a few households. Cease on the small salt store close to Xwjeni Bay, to purchase a bag of the salt to take dwelling, for an genuine memento of Malta and Gozo.

8. Xwejni Bay

After driving previous the salt pans, in order for you a peaceable spot to loosen up and swim, we’d advocate Xwejni Bay. This sheltered bay will not be as constructed up as among the different seaside spots on Gozo. It was quiet once we visited in spring, however will get fairly busy in excessive season. There’s a small stony seashore, with different rocky locations to enter the water.

Because the shore is considerably rocky it’s a favorite place on Gozo for diving and snorkelling. There are a few cafes alongside the seashore and we particularly loved our lunch at Crab Shell Kiosk, a cool trailer restaurant with out of doors seating and an awesome seashore view.

High excursions in Gozo

Gozo Hop on hop off bus – an awesome choice that visits a lot of the principal Gozo sights and permits you to get off and go to the locations that curiosity you most.

Tuk Tuk tour of Gozo with lunch and driver – A enjoyable option to see Gozo by Tuk Tuk, with a driver to be able to sit again and loosen up.

Gozo full day Quad Bike Tour – The extra adventurous will take pleasure in this quad bike full day tour across the seashores, magnificence spots and factors of curiosity in Gozo.

Self drive e-jeep guided tour of Gozo – Today tour of Gozo by jeep permits you to drive your personal electrical powered jeep in a convoy, with a pacesetter who will present you the best way.

Two Island Tour: Blue Lagoon Comino and Gozo by Tuk Tuk – This tour gives you a late morning boat journey to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Tuk Tuk Tour of Gozo.

Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour by Quad Bike with dinner – Beginning in Valletta, this full day tour consists of 2 hours of swimming within the Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Quad Bike tour of Gozo because the solar units.

9. Ġgantija Temples

The Ġgantija Temples are certainly one of quite a few Neolithic websites in Gozo and Malta. They have been constructed round 3000 years BC when there appeared to have been a thriving tradition of temple constructing. Entrance is thru the Customer Centre the place there’s a number of details about the historical past of the location and a few artefacts similar to small feminine figures, considered fertility symbols.

The temple web site is approached by way of a walkway that leads across the web site after which takes you into the temple enclosure. Sadly the looks of the stone buildings is marred by protecting metallic scaffolding in place that’s required to maintain sure sections from collapse.

There are two adjoining temple buildings, with excessive partitions constructed of huge stone boulders that may have initially been even larger. Inside every construction, the stone slabs are fashioned into altars and hearths, some with holes fashioned into the rock that performed some half in rituals and ceremonies.

Little or no is understood concerning the individuals who constructed these temples, however they required a substantial quantity of talent and communal effort to handle the large blocks of stone. On the time they have been constructed the temples would have been extremely seen throughout the panorama, standing out in the identical approach that church spires do at this time. We advocate permitting no less than an hour to see the customer centre and the Ġgantija Temples.

To succeed in the Ggantija Temples by public bus, take the Route 307 bus from Victoria and the hop on hop off bus additionally stops right here.

10. Ramla Seaside

Many of the swimming locations on Gozo are rocky or pebble, the exception being Ramla Seaside. The broad seashore is understood for its pink orange sand and might be the most effective seashore in Gozo for swimming and rest. Parking is alongside the street that results in the seashore, with a turning and drop off level the place the street ends on the seashore.

Set again from the seashore on the finish of the street are a few seashore cafes. You possibly can attain Ramla Seaside on the Route 302 public bus from Victoria, and the hop on hop off bus additionally stops right here. Many organised excursions will even deliver you right here for a swim, because it’s some of the in style seashores in Gozo.

11. Extra seashores on Gozo

There are a number of different seashores price mentioning, although none are as accessible, or as sandy as Ramla seashore. These are locations to deliver your seashore footwear to guard your toes in addition to your masks and snorkel.

Mgarr ix-Xini – a deep bay on Gozo’s south coast, with clear water and steep sided cliffs which can be favoured by climbers. The small pebble seashore is the place Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filmed scenes from “Beside the ocean” in 2015.

Hondoq ir-Rummien – positioned on Gozo’s south coast going through Camino. Surrounded by a rocky shore this can be a favorite spot for snorkelers who can swim into the small sea caves. There’s a small sand and pebble seashore, with ladders from the rocky shore to spots the place you possibly can bounce into the water.

Dahlet Qorrot – a small pebble seashore with clear water on Gozo’s north coast. There are fishermen’s huts with vibrant painted doorways reduce into the rock face by the seashore.

12. Tal-Mixta Cave

Within the cliffs above Ramla Bay is a cave that makes a shocking viewpoint over the golden crescent of sand and surrounding countryside. Tal-Mixta cave is a favorite instagram spot, since you will get some enjoyable images sitting on the rock within the cave with the view behind you. Aside from being a beautiful viewpoint there isn’t a lot else to do on the cave besides take images.

One of the best ways to succeed in Tal’Mixta cave is by driving, finding the cave on a mapping instrument. You possibly can’t drive all the best way as much as the cave so on the ultimate fork within the street, go away your automotive by the roadside and stroll the remaining 5 minutes. There are beautiful views over the seashore even from the trail.

You’ll most likely see different individuals strolling down some steps into the cave, however it’s not that nicely signposted. Bear in mind that the collapse on personal land, so be respectful of your environment whenever you go to. Apart from driving, it’s a scorching stroll for 40 minutes up hill to succeed in the cave from Ramla Seaside. Most excursions of Gozo will deliver you to the cave, however the nearest bus drop off level is at Ramla Seaside.

13. Boat journey to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Near Gozo is the smaller and uninhabited island of Comino, the smallest of the three islands in Malta’s archipelago. In summer season it’s a preferred spot for boat journeys, however even in the event you don’t take one you possibly can see Comino as you cross on the ferry.

The most well-liked spot in Comino is the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered space of turquoise water off Comino’s shore that’s perfect for swimming. As we have been there in spring, it was too cool for a ship journey, however in excessive season this space turns into tremendous busy with boat journeys and the small seashore and shore is extraordinarily crowded. There’s a kiosk for meals in excessive season however in any other case Comino gives few services and it is best to take every little thing you want for the day.

Boat journey choices

Despite the fact that The Blue Lagoon is in sight of Gozo, a lot of the boat journeys go away from Malta, departing from Bugibba in St Paul’s Bay or the ferry fort of Cirkewwa. In the event you’d like to go to the Blue Lagoon from Gozo, there are some ferries that run from the primary ferry port at Mġarr Harbour.

Alternatively, take one of many excursions supplied by Gozo tour specialist Yippee that mix a tour of Gozo with a ship journey to the Blue Lagoon in Comino.

Two Island Tour: Blue Lagoon Comino and Gozo by Tuk Tuk – This tour gives you a late morning boat journey to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Tuk Tuk Tour of Gozo. Guide right here.

Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour by Quad Bike with dinner – Beginning in Valletta, this full day tour consists of 2 hours of swimming within the Blue Lagoon, adopted by a Quad Bike tour of Gozo because the solar units. Guide right here.

A day journey to Gozo – 1 day itinerary

Since many individuals take a day journey to Gozo from Malta, right here’s our suggestion for a Gozo 1 day itinerary. Each these choices assume that you simply arrive in Mgarr harbour by 10am to be able to take advantage of your day on Gozo.

Gozo 1 day itinerary – By rent automotive

Gozo by rent automotive – morning

• After choosing up your rental automotive, head to Victoria. We employed a automotive from Mayjo automotive rent who’re primarily based in Victoria, so we left the automotive with them whereas we regarded round. You’ll want 1-2 hours to see the citadel and go to St George’s Sq. the place you possibly can cease for a espresso.
• Subsequent, drive to Xlendi which is a superb place for lunch at one of many seafront eating places overlooking the bay. In any other case you possibly can simply take a stroll on the cliff paths on both aspect of the bay.
• Take the street again to Victoria then proceed west to Dwejra. Optionally available stops on the best way are the Ta’Pinu shrine and the Ta’Dbiegi craft centre. At Dwejra take the quick boat journey to see the ocean caves. Anticipate to spend round 1 hour right here.

Gozo by rent automotive – afternoon

• There’s loads extra Gozo sightseeing for the afternoon, however you might have to make some selections relying in your pursuits.
• Possibility 1 – head for Wied Il-Ghasri for a swim within the rocky inlet, then drive alongside the coastal route overlooking the Xwejni Bay salt pans, with a cease at one of many cafes in Xwejni Bay.
• Possibility 2 – drive alongside the north coastal route previous the salt pans, by means of Marsalform (cease if you want however we thought Xlendi was nicer) and finish the day at Ramla Seaside. You can even drive above the seashore to go to the Tal-Mixta cave.
• Possibility 3 – in case you are within the pre-history of Gozo, drive alongside the north coast previous the salt pans then go to the Ggantija temple.
• Lastly you probably have time, cease at one of many bakeries in Nadur for some Ftira, Pastizzi or Qassatat conventional pastries as a snack for the best way dwelling.
• Return to the Mgarr ferry port to catch your ferry again to Malta.

Gozo 1 day itinerary – By hop on hop off bus

Gozo by hop on hop off bus – morning

• The hop on hop off bus doesn’t go to all of the locations you possibly can attain by rent automotive, however there’s nonetheless heaps to see and you’ll have to make some selections.
• Take the hop on hop off bus at Mgarr harbour and get off in Victoria, Gozo’s capital. Spend round 1.5 hours to see Victoria and the citadel, however don’t linger too lengthy as there’s heaps extra to see on Gozo.
• Again on the bus, alight on the subsequent cease of Xlendi port, the place you’ll have time for a espresso and a stroll round earlier than catching the following bus.
• Your subsequent cease is Dwejra, the place you’ll simply have time for a 20 minute boat journey earlier than the following bus arrives.

Gozo by hop on hop off bus – afternoon

• Taking the hop on hop off bus from Dwejra to Victoria, you will notice the Ta’Pina shrine from the bus which can cease for a 5 minute picture cease, however you most likely gained’t have time to look inside.
• Keep on the bus by means of Victoria and relying in your time remaining you’ll most likely have time for 1 extra cease earlier than heading again to the ferry port.
• Possibility 1 – cease at Marsalforn – we thought the resort was moderately spoiled by excessive rise constructing, however there’s a sensible choice of sea entrance eating places in the event you’d prefer to eat with a view of the bay.
• Possibility 2 – cease at Ramla Bay to loosen up and swim on the seashore. There are a few seashore cafes open right here in excessive season.
• Possibility 3 – cease on the Ggantija Temples to see the prehistoric stone temples and customer centre, there’s additionally a restaurant on the web site.
• Whichever choice you select, keep watch over when the following bus can be coming, to make sure you have time to get again to Mgarr ferry port and return to Malta.

The place to eat in Gozo

There are many places in Gozo for one thing good to eat;

Victoria – the prettiest spot is St George’s Sq. the place there quite a few cafes missed by St George’s Basilica. There’s additionally a restaurant with a view within the Citadel, and plenty of different choices for lunch and dinner within the elements of Victoria outdoors the citadel partitions.

Xlendi – this could be our advice in order for you a seafood lunch in one of many eating places overlooking the bay.

Marsalforn – this resort on Gozo’s northern coast additionally has a very good vary of eating places alongside the seafront. The resort is larger than Xlendi and to be sincere we discovered the big variety of excessive rise buildings so near the ocean fairly unattractive. Nonetheless in case you are sitting in a restaurant looking to sea the view could be very good.

Xwejni – in order for you a lightweight lunch with a view we thought this bay was very fairly and we loved the salads and conventional dishes at The Crab Shell Kiosk.

Dwejra Bay – there’s a small cafe overlooking the inland sea, serving drinks and lightweight dishes.

Nadur – this city near the ferry port is understood for its bakeries, we stopped at Mekren Bakery on the primary street to choose up some pastries, however there are a pair extra bakeries on the town.

A Picnic in Gozo

In the event you’d like to eat native and scrumptious meals in essentially the most scenic spots of Gozo, then get in contact with Ana from Gozo Picnic. Her enterprise began when she started discovering the most effective picnic spots to have lunch together with her younger daughter, getting ready wholesome meals to share outside.

Now Ana gives a service to guests on Gozo who desire a distinctive expertise, and can arrange your picnic with tables, cushions, cloths and naturally scrumptious, regionally impressed meals. Every expertise is completely different and you may focus on whether or not you’d like your picnic to be on a sandy seashore, secluded cove or rural magnificence spot.

We tried among the Gozo Picnic dishes for lunch on the citadel in Victoria, Gozo with a number of native specialties. Ana ready the Bigilla bean dip with crunchy greens, Maltese sausage, miniature sheep cheese tarts and a few carob brownies to complete with spiced Maltese espresso. It was all fantastically offered with native flowers and recent herbs.

Beer and wine in Gozo

There are a few wineries in Gozo that provide tastings, however you ideally must ebook upfront.

Tal-Massar – near the village of Gharb, this boutique vineyard gives pre-booked excursions and tastings on Tuesday and Saturday or at different occasions by association.

Ta’Mena – near Marsalforn, the vineyard additionally grows fruit and greens to make into conventional Gozitan condiments, liqueurs and preserves. A 2 hour wine tour and tasting might be pre-booked by contacting the vineyard.

Lord Chambray is a craft brewery primarily based on Gozo that gives a forty five minute tour and beer tasting at their faucet room near Xewkija. The faucet room can also be open to serve draught beers or bottles to remove.

Find out how to get to Gozo – the Gozo Ferry

There are two choices for taking the ferry from Malta to Gozo; a automotive and passenger ferry from Ċirkewwa within the north of Malta and a passenger solely quick ferry from Valletta. Each ferry providers arrive in Mġarr, the primary harbour on the south coast of Gozo.

Automobile ferry to Gozo

The automotive and passenger ferry is operated by Gozo Channel and runs each 45 minutes by means of the day. The crossing time is round 25 minutes, with a cafeteria on board and loads of indoor and out of doors seating. The price for an grownup foot passenger is €4.65 and for a automotive plus passenger €15.70.

If travelling from the Malta aspect you don’t want to purchase a ticket earlier than embarkation. As a substitute you pay to your ticket on the return journey from Mġarr harbour in Gozo. Ferry tickets are solely bought for this ferry on the Mġarr ferry terminal in Gozo and this technique is in place to make sure fast and environment friendly loading of the ferries.

We used this ferry service as a foot passenger and loved the sunny climate and views from the higher deck of Comino on the best way over. The Gozo ferry schedule is out there on the Gozo Channel web site.

To succeed in the ferry port at Ċirkewwa within the north of Malta, you possibly can take the bus from Valletta, the airport and from different villages in Malta. When you have rented a automotive in Malta, you can even use this to drive to Ċirkewwa, then cross on the ferry and drive round in Gozo.

Gozo Quick Ferry from Valletta

The Gozo quick ferry runs from Valletta and is a handy choice for most individuals in case you are travelling with out a automotive, because it’s typically simpler to get to Valletta. The quick ferry runs from Lascaris Quay, which is well reached by raise from the Higher Barrakka Gardens.

The ferry is operated by two completely different firms who share the service, with a crossing each 30 – 60 minutes. Journey time is round 45 minutes and the ferry fare is €7.50 a method.

You possibly can verify the Gozo quick ferry schedule on the operators’ web sites – Gozo Quick Ferry and Virtu Gozo. Tickets might be bought from these web sites or from the ticket sales space on Lascaris Quay in Valletta or Mġarr harbour in Gozo.

You’ll want to verify the web sites of ferry operators earlier than you set off, since ferry providers could also be cancelled in dangerous climate.

Getting round Gozo

Public bus in Gozo

There are common buses public round Gozo, each from Mġarr harbour to the island’s capital Victoria and radiating out from Victoria to different elements of the island. There’s a flat fare of €2 for any journey and this may be paid on the bus in money or contactless financial institution card.

Most buses appear to run round as soon as per hour, so this will not be essentially the most handy type of transport in case you are simply visiting Gozo for the day. Test the bus routes and timetables on the Malta Public Transport web site.

Hop on Hop off bus

Extra handy than the general public bus, is the Gozo Hop on hop off bus which runs on a route that covers the primary vacationer websites. The bus begins at Mgarr ferry terminal in Gozo and tickets might be bought there or on-line upfront.

The hop on hop off bus runs each 45 minutes on two completely different routes, that cross over in Victoria, to be able to transfer from one to the opposite. In the event you resolve to remain on the bus, the entire round route will take round 2 hours.

It is a good choice to see the highlights of Gozo in someday, however that you must resolve upfront which stops will curiosity you most. The price of the hop on hop off bus is €20. Guide the Gozo Hop on hop off bus upfront right here.

Day excursions of Gozo

Whereas the general public and hop on hop off buses cowl a lot of the key websites, there are a number of locations which can be tough for bigger buses to succeed in, similar to among the swimming coves or the Xwejni salt pans. In the event you’d prefer to have extra flexibility, then we advocate that you simply ebook on one of many day excursions of Gozo, both with a driver or self drive choice.

Gozo full day Tuk Tuk tour and lunch with driver – The tuk tuk tour is supplied by Yippee Excursions and is a enjoyable option to get round Gozo, with a driver to be able to sit again and loosen up. The tour features a personal crossing from Malta if required and can take you to the important thing spots round Gozo, some that the buses can not attain. The drivers are multi-lingual and can act as your tour information, explaining about issues on Gozo.

Full day Quad Bike Tour of Gozo – The extra adventurous will take pleasure in this quad bike full day tour supplied by Yippee Excursions. You drive the quad bike however are a part of the guided group that can take you to seashores, magnificence spots and factors of curiosity in Gozo. The tour features a mild lunch and personal boat crossing from Malta, with a cross by the island of Comino on the best way again.

Gozo self drive e-jeep guided tour – Today tour of Gozo by jeep permits you to drive your personal electrical powered jeep in a convoy, with a pacesetter who will present you the best way. The tour permits you to discover Gozo’s backroads and seashores in addition to some main landmarks. A ship crossing from Malta is included and a lightweight lunch is supplied.

Automobile rental in Gozo

Essentially the most versatile choice for getting round Gozo is to rent a automotive, and we discovered that this was an financial choice, particularly you probably have two or extra individuals sharing the fee. Automobile rent on Gozo enabled us to see all the primary websites we needed to go to, in addition to the sweetness spots which can be harder to entry by public transport.

We may go at our personal tempo and cease at any time when we needed. Coming from England, we discovered that the roads on Gozo have been comparatively quiet and simple to navigate. The exception was round Victoria the place there’s a a method system and visitors congestion, since all roads appear to cross by means of the island’s capital.

You possibly can examine costs and ebook rental automobiles on Gozo right here. Automobile rent suppliers can have a combined fame on Malta and Gozo, so be sure you verify the scores and opinions earlier than reserving. Think about hiring an electrical or hybrid automotive the place obtainable to cut back your carbon footprint.

Native firms typically appear to have a greater fame for service and we employed a automotive for someday from Mayjo Automobile Rent primarily based in Victoria. They collected us on the ferry terminal in Gozo and drove us to their workplace in Victoria the place we picked up the automotive. Then on the finish of the day, we left the rental automotive on the ferry port. We will advocate Mayjo Automobile Rent for his or her wonderful service and fast response to reserving queries.

When selecting your automotive, the island is small and also you don’t want an particularly highly effective automotive. In reality, smaller might be higher, because the nation roads in lots of locations round Gozo might be fairly slender. Test costs for rental automobiles in Gozo right here.

The place to remain in Gozo

Gozo has loads to maintain you busy for a number of days and even longer in the event you simply need to loosen up in nature and spend time strolling or swimming. For these on a funds or not wanting to rent a automotive, it’s greatest to find your self in Gozo’s capital of Victoria. From right here there are simple bus routes to a lot of the details of curiosity on the island.

Different lodging in Gozo’s villages gives a relaxed style of nation life, however you’ll most likely want to rent a automotive to get round. Listed below are among the locations we advocate to remain in Gozo, or try extra resorts in Gozo.

Greatest time to go to Gozo

Malta and Gozo are 12 months spherical locations, positioned within the sunny southern Mediterranean near Sicily. I’d most likely not go to Gozo within the winter months since there are fewer formal sights than Malta. Nonetheless spring and autumn are fantastic occasions to go to with sunny days however cooler temperatures for sightseeing.

In the event you prefer to swim and loosen up on the seashore then June and September are wonderful occasions to go to. I’d most likely keep away from July and August when the temperatures might be searing, the crowds at their biggest and plenty of Maltese head to Gozo for his or her holidays.

How lengthy to I would like in Gozo?

Gozo makes a super day journey from Malta and by taking a tour or utilizing the hop on hop off bus you possibly can see lots of the sights and have a enjoyable time out.

When you have extra time, then staying for 2-3 days on Gozo will allow you to get a very good really feel of the island at a extra relaxed tempo, with time for climbing and swimming.

For a relaxed sunshine vacation of per week or extra, Gozo has lots to supply and we most popular its slower tempo of life and greener countryside to Malta, which is sort of constructed up and congested round its resort areas.

Sustainable journey in Gozo

To help sustainable journey in Gozo we advocate the next;

– If visiting Gozo for the day, have a look at extra sustainable and stress-free choices for getting round similar to hop on hop off buses or excursions which have a decrease carbon foot print. In the event you plan to remain a number of days on Gozo, the general public bus service from Victoria will take you to lots of the factors of curiosity on the island. Automobile rent is a versatile choice if that you must see lots in a short while and on this case we choose to help household companies like MayJo which have a very good fame for service. Think about hiring a hybrid or electrical automotive the place obtainable to cut back your carbon footprint.

– The faucet water in Gozo and Malta is secure to drink, however is from desalinated sea water, which can give it a selected style. For that reason locals and eating places choose to make use of bottled water to drink for causes of style. To scale back the quantity of plastic and glass waste, it’s higher to request and drink native faucet water and never purchase bottled water.

– When consuming out, ask questions as to which menu objects are primarily based on native produce and substances. Order vegetable dishes primarily based on what’s in season, fish that’s regionally and sustainably caught, or meat that’s regionally produced. Help eating places that work with native meals producers.

Learn Subsequent

Learn my article about all of the Scrumptious Meals in Malta and Gozo

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Issues to do in Malta in a weekend break

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Plan your journey to Malta

For extra info on issues to do in Gozo go to the official Go to Gozo Tourism web site and for Malta the Go to Malta Tourism web site.

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A number of the experiences talked about have been supplied on a press journey hosted by Malta Tourism and British Guild of Journey Writers.

This text is initially revealed at Heatheronhertravels.com