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Gozo
Malta's greener, slower sister island — prehistoric temples, red-sand bays and a walled citadel.
Where to stay
Gozo is greener, slower and about a third the size of Malta. Staying at least one night is the difference between seeing it and glimpsing it.
- Victoria, also called Rabat — The centre of the island, with the Cittadella above it and buses to everywhere. Practical rather than pretty.
- Xlendi — A small bay hemmed in by cliffs, with restaurants around the water. The most popular base for a short stay.
- Marsalforn — The other resort bay, on the north coast, slightly larger and quieter out of season.
- A farmhouse inland — Gozo's real speciality: converted stone farmhouses with private pools in the villages. Best value on the islands for a week, and you will need a car.
What to see
For an island you can drive across in half an hour, Gozo has an unusual amount going on.
- Ġgantija — Megalithic temples that predate the pyramids and Stonehenge, and among the oldest free-standing structures anywhere.
- The Cittadella — The walled citadel above Victoria, with a view over the whole island from the ramparts.
- Ramla Bay — The best sandy beach on either island, and unmistakable for its red sand.
- Dwejra — The Azure Window collapsed into the sea in 2017, but the Inland Sea, the tunnel out to open water and the Blue Hole remain, and this is the best diving on the islands.
- Ta' Pinu — A basilica standing alone in open countryside, and a national pilgrimage site.
Getting there
- The ferry — From Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta to Mġarr on Gozo, around twenty-five minutes, running very frequently. You pay on the return leg, not on the way out.
- From Valletta or Sliema — Roughly forty-five minutes by road to the ferry terminal, plus the crossing.
- A fast ferry — A passenger service also runs between Valletta and Gozo, which suits day trips without a car.
- Getting around — Buses exist but are slow and infrequent. A car makes an enormous difference here, more than anywhere else on the islands.
How long to stay
- A day trip — Possible, and most people do it, but you will see the Cittadella and one bay and little else.
- Two to three nights — The right amount to actually see the island.
- A week — Works well in a farmhouse, and Gozo is the one place on the islands where a slow week makes sense.
Worth knowing before you go
- Take the car across on the ferry if you have one. Gozo without transport is frustrating.
- The Azure Window no longer exists. Photographs of it are still sold everywhere, so do not plan around it.
- Ramla Bay has red sand and very few facilities. Bring what you need.
- Gozo shuts down more than Malta out of season, and some restaurants close entirely in winter.
Plan your trip to Gozo
🏨 Hotels & staysPlaces to stay in GozoCheck availability →🎟️ Tours & ticketsDay trips, guides and skip-the-lineSee tours →⛴️ FerriesGozo, Comino and harbour crossingsCheck times →🚗 Car hireCompare rental prices in MaltaSee offers →✈️ FlightsCompare fares to Malta (MLA)Find flights →
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Gozo: frequently asked questions
Is Gozo worth visiting?
Yes, and worth staying on rather than day-tripping. It is greener and slower than Malta, and Ġgantija, the Cittadella, Ramla Bay and the diving at Dwejra are all worth the crossing.
How long is the ferry to Gozo?
About twenty-five minutes from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, running very frequently. You pay on the return journey rather than on the way out.
Is a day trip to Gozo enough?
It is what most people do, but you will only manage the Cittadella and one bay. Two or three nights lets you see the island properly.
Do you need a car on Gozo?
It makes a big difference. Buses are slow and infrequent, and the best places are spread out. Taking a car on the ferry is straightforward.
Is the Azure Window still there?
No. It collapsed into the sea in a storm in March 2017. The Inland Sea, the tunnel and the Blue Hole at Dwejra are still there and still worth visiting, especially for divers.
Where should I stay on Gozo?
Xlendi or Marsalforn for a bay with restaurants, Victoria for buses and the centre, or a converted farmhouse inland if you have a car and a week.