Things to do in Gozo, Malta

Gozo is a small, picturesque island located in the Maltese archipelago, known for its beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, and rich history. It’s only 25 minutes boat trip from Malta to Gozo, but it’s time enough to slip back a few decades and throw off the stresses of modern life. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Gozo, Malta.

This article is inspired by our Mini Rough Guide to Malta — your essential guide for travelling around Malta.

Explore Gozo Island

Gozo is rural in a way Malta no longer is. Terraced flat-top hills punctuate fertile valleys, mosaics of tiny fields surrounded by dry-stone walls. The local limestone – honey-coloured and glowing – is everywhere. The island’s building material for everything from Neolithic temples and farmers' huts to the towering Medieval Citadel rises dramatically from the centre of the island, popping up in almost every inland view.

Each village square on the island has its shop or café and most have a red letter box or phone booth and a tiny police station hung with a traditional blue lantern – a colourful dash of leftover Britishness.

Take your time in Victoria

In Gozo, everyone seems to have time. Time to sit beneath the citadel in It-Tokk (literally ‘the Meeting Place’), the main square of Gozo’s charming little capital, Victoria. Time to chat in the shade of an oleander tree or the oversized Parish church that dominates every village square.

Gozitans make time for visitors too. Ask the way, and you may find yourself accompanied rather than told. That is not to say they intrude; they don’t – not even on celebrities. This is one reason the likes of Gary Neville and Billy Connolly escape here.

Follow in Brangelina's footsteps

One of Connolly’s haunts is the secluded Mgarr Ix-Xini. He comes here to eat at the peaceful little fish restaurant that sits at the head of this steep-sided rocky creek from March to November.

A narrow path, flanked by sweet-smelling wild fennel and rich aromatic thyme, winds up the rock above clear waters. The sea here is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving, protected from the prevailing northwesterly winds.

Until recently it was one of the things to do in Gozo off the beaten track, but Mgarr Ix-Xini has just landed on the map as the place where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filmed their latest movie, By the Sea.

In the film, this is the South of France in the 1970s and the restaurant’s tiny interior is the French village shop. Colourful shelves and a few props remain and you can now sit on the Tamarisk-shaded terrace sipping wine ‘mis en bouteille par Jolie-Pitt’.

Marvel at Gozo's magnificence

Mgarr Ix-Xini is just one of Gozo’s many coastal attractions. Edward Lear, master of the nonsense rhyme, who came here to rest, walk and paint, described the island’s landscape as “pomskizillious and gromphiberous, being as no words can describe its magnificence”.

The landscape is indeed amazing; from the dramatic Ta’Cenc cliffs plunging 145m into the sea to a strange clay hill like a giant grey doorknob, and the rich red sands of Ramla Beach – arguably the best beach in the country.

At ‘Calypso’s Cave’, meanwhile, Homer’s Odysseus is said to have been held willing hostage by the charming sea nymph. The collapsed cave isn’t much to look at but the view is stunning and it isn’t hard to see how Odysseus might have fallen into GMT and forgotten to go home.

Get salty at Marsalform Salt Pans

Gozo has been feeding a human population for 7000 years. In fact, it may have been the first place in Malta to be settled, with farmers arriving by sea from Sicily just 90km to the north.

Evidence of this can be seen on the stretch of the coast just west of the little resort of Marsalforn. Scooped-out cliffs of smooth golden sandstone, like desert dunes, form the backdrop to chequer-boards of seaside salt pans.

It’s a place that time forgot, where a few families still produce salt as it has been made since Roman times, storing it in rock-cut rooms behind the bright-painted doors tucked into the cliff face.

You can buy salt at Jubilee Foods in It-Tokk, which also offers tastings of other local produce like sweet prickly pear jam and tangy dried Gozitan goat's cheese.

Go back in time at the Ggantija Temples

By the middle of the fourth millennium BC – before the creation of Stonehenge or the Great Pyramids – people on Gozo were building sophisticated stone temples, with monumental facades, semi-circular rooms, plastered walls and carved decoration.

These ancient megalithic temples are believed to be some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world, dating back over 5,000 years.

The best remains can be seen at Ggantija, pronounced “Ji-gan-tee-ya” – as in, “gigantic”. Constructed of limestone blocks up to fifty tonnes in weight, it is little wonder that locals long believed the temples were built by giants. This is one of the best things to do in Malta.

Cool down in Dwejra Bay — one of the best things to do in Gozo

Dwejra Bay is a stunning natural wonder located on the western coast of Gozo. The bay is famous for its unique geological formations. It's a fantastic place to bring the whole family.

This is where one will find the awe-inspiring Blue Hole, a natural underwater cave that is popular with divers and snorkelers from all over the world. With its unique natural beauty and opportunities for adventure, exploring Dwejra Bay is one of the best things to do in Gozo.

Forget the world at Hondoq ir-Rummien

Hondoq ir-Rummien is a hidden gem located on the southeastern coast and is one of the best things to do in Gozo. This secluded bay boasts crystal-clear waters and a peaceful atmosphere, making it the perfect destination for travellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Don't miss the chance to enjoy this blue lagoon. While here, you will want to swim in the calm waters or explore the surrounding natural beauty. Hondoq ir-Rummien is also a popular spot for snorkelling, with an abundance of marine life to discover.

Where to stay in Gozo

• For a funky stay with an old-world vibe: Villa Serenity B&B
• For a stay with a view: Georges Boutique Living
• For a stay with a pool: Ellie Boo

Or browse other accommodation in Gozo

Ready to start planning your trip? Don't miss our Rough Guides Guidebooks for more travel tips and inspiration.

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