13 Best Things to do in Gozo
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2023
Reading Time: 12 minutes
By: Shaun
Gozo is Malta’s sister island and has a more laid-back and rural atmosphere compared to the main island, giving it a different charm than Malta. Around 30,00 people call the island home, making it much less densely populated than Malta. Many Maltese like to take weekend breaks in Gozo because of this laid-back feel, with many feeling like they have travelled back to how Malta was a few decades ago.
The island might be small, but it’s packed with gems spread throughout the island, and in this article we will list the 13 Best Things to Do in Gozo.
What are the best things to do in Gozo?
1. The Ġgantija Temples
Ġgantija | Image by FritzPhotography on Wikimedia Commons
The first item on the list is a must-see for any first-time visitor to Gozo: the Ġgantija Temples. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the town of Xagħra and is the oldest of the megalithic temples on the Maltese islands.
The temples are more than 5,500 years old, making them older than the Egyptian pyramids and the second-oldest man-made religious structure in the world (after Göbekli Tepe in modern-day Turkey).
2. Ta’ Kola Windmill
Ta' Kola Windmill | Image by DianeBorg1 on Wikimedia Commons
Close by the Ġgantija Temples, you cannot miss the Ta’ Kola Windmill. The windmill was first built in 1725, during the time the Knights of St. John ruled over Malta. It was one of many windmills that were constructed across the islands, and the knights used to lease them to the common folk. The windmill is named after Nikola (or, as he was more commonly known, Kola) Grech, who operated the windmill till his death at the start of the 20th century.
His son, Ġuzeppi (Joseph), took over the windmill after Kola passed away and ran it until his death in 1987. The windmill was converted into a museum in the early 1990s, giving visitors the opportunity to see for themselves how the windmill worked, in addition to a large collection of tools used by Ġuzeppi.
3. Xerri’s Grotto
Xerri's Grotto | Image by laredawg on Flickr
In the 1920s, the Gozitan Anthony Xerri found this cave while excavating a well beneath a home in Xagħra. The cave was excavated further during the Second World War, as it was used as a shelter during the never-ending air raids that hit the island.
The cave has many stalactites and stalagmites, as well as other calcified formations, some of which resemble various animals like a tortoise, vulture, giraffe, and an elephant’s ear. To get to the cave, one needs to go down a 10-meter (30-foot) spiral that was built inside the shaft Anthony Xerri was building.
Close by, there is a similar, smaller cave called Ninu’s Cave, just a 2-minute drive from Xerri’s Grotto.
4. The Museum of Toys
Before leaving Xagħra one can visit a small museum dedicated to toys. This little gem in Gozo displays a private collection owned by a British couple that relocated to Gozo. The collection of toys from around the world dates back to the start of the 20th century and will most definitely bring back a lot of memories for everyone that gets to visit this museum.
Please note that the museum is only open between 10:30 and 13:00 during the summer months and is only open a handful of days during the rest of the year.
5. Citadel
Citadel | Image by FritzPhotography on Wikimedia Commons
Victoria is the capital of Gozo and stands on top of a hill in the centre of the island. At the summit lies the Citadel, a castle that provided protection for Gozitans during the middle ages, but the area is believed to have been occupied since the Bronze Age.
The Cathedral of the Assumption has a painting of a dome on its ceiling because the actual dome was never built, and the painting has now become the cathedral’s main attraction.
Apart from the cathedral, within the walls of the Citadel are a number of museums, including the Gran Castello Historic House, the Old Prison, the Gozo Nature Museum, and the Gozo Museum of Archaeology. The Citadel is free to enter, but you will need to buy a ticket to get to these attractions; however, a visit to the Citadel is well worth the time for the views you get of the entire island.
Within the city walls, one can visit Ta’ Rikardu Restaurant, which specialises in Maltese cuisine.
6. Ta’ Cenc Cliffs
Ġgantija | Image by Kritzolina on Wikimedia Commons
Gozo, just like Malta, has many cliffs on its western coastline. These cliffs give spectacular views of the sea and are a perfect place to witness the sunset.
Ta’ Cenc Cliffs is just one of the options available, as there are other viewpoints nearby like the Sanap Cliffs and the Falesie di Gozo.
7. Dwejra
Dwejra is an area on the western side of Gozo that was famous for the Azure Window, a limestone arch that unfortunately collapsed in 2017 during a storm. This arch has featured in several films and television shows shot in Malta, including Game of Thrones, Clash of the Titans and The Count of Montecristo.
The area has a lot to offer and is a must on any itinerary to the island and we cover some of the attractions in the area in the sections below.
The Inlet Sea
The Inlet Sea at Dwejra | Image by Christine McIntosh on Flickr
The Inlet Sea at Dwejra is a landlocked body of water connected to the sea by a small tunnel in the cliffs.
The area offers its visitors a range of activities to explore the area’s natural beauty, with snorkelling and diving being the most popular; however, one can also do some kayaking or paddleboarding to explore the area.
For those who prefer to stay on land, hiking and walking trails offer panoramic views of the Inlet Sea at Dwejra and the surrounding countryside.
Fungus Rock
Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral, as it is known in Maltese, is a 60-meter-high (200-foot) limestone rock located at the entrance to Dwerja Bay. The Knights have discovered a plant (not a fungus) that only grows on this rock, and they believed it had medicinal properties. The plant used to be given as a gift to nobles visiting the islands.
Nowadays, the rock is a protected natural reserve, but you can walk along the bay, which is also a popular site for abseiling.
The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole | Image by Bex Walton on Flickr
The Blue Hole is without any doubt Malta’s most famous scuba diving site. It is a 10-by-5-meter circular sinkhole in the limestone with a depth of roughly 15 metres.
The Dwejra Tower
The tower of Dwejra was built during the late seventeenth century and was part of a series of towers erected around the island’s coastline during that time. The primary aim of these towers was to safeguard the nearby area against any form of attack coming from the Ottoman corsairs. The tower used to be manned by a small unit of soldiers who were equipped with a cannon and an alert mechanism capable of notifying neighbouring towers of impending dangers.
Today, this tower is one of four still standing from that era in Gozo, and visitors can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding area.
8. Wied il-Mielaħ
Wied il-Mielaħ | Image by Ruben Holthuijsen on Flickr
After the collapse of the Azure Window, the limestone arch at Wied il-Mielaħ quickly filled the void that it had left. The arch is located at the end of a valley and is accessible through a road from the village of Għarb in the island’s north.
As the roof of the arch is still quite thick, one can still walk on top of it, similar to what one could do on the Azure Window just a few decades ago. As the window is composed of similar types of rocks as the Azure Window, it’s only a matter of time before it too collapses into the sea below.
9. Wied il-Għasri
Wied il-Għasri | Image by Benjamin Gamblin on Flickr
Not too far from Wied il-Mielaħ, one can experience a different kind of natural wonder at Wied il-Għasri. This narrow gorge extends for about 300 metres (1000 feet) inland from the open sea and has a small pebbly beach at the end of it.
Since the gorge is so small, you would not be able to see it from the road, and the beach is accessible after going down a long set of steps.
If you plan to take a dip here, it is recommended that you not walk barefoot on the pebbles, some of which might be sharp, and keep in mind that there are no facilities in the area.
After your visit to the beach, you might want to walk on the cliffs towards the open sea, where you will find some old salt mines. Underneath the salt mines, there is also an undersea cave known as Għar il-Qamħ (meaning Cave of Wheat).
10. Go Swimming
There are much more accessible beaches in Gozo than Wied il-Għasri and in our post about the best beaches in Malta, we have listed various great swimming locations in Gozo, like Ramla Bay and Mġarr Ix-xini, so here we will just mention the two most popular beaches in Gozo.
Xlendi Bay
Xlendi Bay | Image by Dave Morton on Flickr
Xlendi was once merely a fishing village, but over time it has evolved into a popular seaside town with lots of restaurants, bars, and hotels. At the heart of the bay, one can find a small sandy beach, perfect for children because it descends gently into deeper waters.
Xlendi is accessible by car from Munxar or the village of Fontana, but it also has a public bus service that drops you just a few metres from the beach.
Marsalforn
Marsalforn | Image by Rune E on Flickr
Another popular seaside town in Gozo is Marsalforn, where, during the summer months, it comes alive with all the locals that move to the locality for the summer together with the many tourists that come to visit.
Marsalforn has a small sandy beach, but there are many other locations on the rocks around the bay that provide ample space to find your spot for a swim or just to soak in the sun. The beach is easily accessible via a promenade, and the area is full of bars and restaurants to grab a bite.
Walking north-west along the beach, one can get to the area known as Qbajjar, which has even more sunbathing and food options.
11. The Xwejni Salt Pans
The Xwejni Salt Pans | Image by Corina Möller on Wikimedia Commons
Further to the west than Qbajjar and after passing the small bay of Xwejni, one gets to the salt pans, which to this very day are used in the production of a variety of salt-based products.
Depending on the weather during the summer months (it is not always hot and sunny in Malta), the salt gets harvested roughly once a week. The salt from each pan is swept and put into buckets using brooms and brushes. These buckets are then left to dry for about a day, and after the water evaporates, a large heap of salt is left behind. The salt is then stored in large sacks, where it is taken for packaging.
12. Ta’ Pinu Basilica
The Grandmaster's Palace | Image by Mojca-Peter from Pixabay
It is said that the Maltese islands have a church for every day of the year, but one of the most beloved by both Maltese and Gozitans is the Ta’ Pinu Basilica. The shrine’s origins are not well known, and the first record of the church was documented when Bishop Domenico Cubelles visited the church and recorded it in the Curia’s records in Gozo.
Close by the basilica is a path that leads to the top of a hill. Along the path, one will find statues depicting the 13 stations of the Way of the Cross.
13. Comino Day Trip
Our last item on this list is technically not part of Gozo, but we could not leave Comino out. Kemmuna, as it is known to the locals, is an island between Malta and Gozo. With the exception of a single family that lives permanently on the island, it is pretty much inhabited. However, if you are visiting during the summer, a day trip to Comino should be high on your to-do list if you want to complete your tour of beaches around the Maltese Islands.
The island is served with a ferry service from either Mgarr in Gozo or from Marfa, which is approximately 2 kilometres from the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta. If you want to avoid the drive, you can opt for a day trip by boat, many of which depart from Sliema.
Let’s briefly explore the options we have on this tiny island.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a protected bay located between Comino and its smaller sister, Cominotto. This sheltered lagoon is rather shallow, and its pristine, white sandy bottom produces some of Malta’s clearest water.
While there is a small sandy beach on the Comino side of the lagoon, it gets crowded very quickly, so most visitors stay on the rocks that surround the beach.
Crystal Lagoon
The Crystal Lagoon might not be as popular as the Blue Lagoon, but it still provides a beautiful setting for your swim.
The lagoon can be reached after a short walk from the Blue Lagoon, so it’s a great option if the Blue Lagoon is too crowded. Some tours also provide a stop at this amazing spot, usually on the way back.
Santa Maria Bay and Caves
Santa Maria Bay is a small, sandy beach that is more tranquil than the Blue Lagoon. While the beach is not as stunning as the Blue Lagoon, it provides a great alternative for swimmers seeking some relaxation and wanting to avoid the crowds at the Blue Lagoon. The beach is about a 20-minute walk across the island from Blue Lagoon, but during the summer, one can find Jeep shuttles that take you to and from the beach.
The Santa Maria Caves, which are close to this bay, are a great place for snorkelling and diving. Some tours stop at the Santa Maria Caves on their way back to Malta, but the caves are worth paying extra to see, and you can catch a boat from Santa Maria Bay.
Conclusion
Gozo may be a small island, but it’s packed with incredible experiences waiting to be discovered. From ancient landmarks to hidden gems, Gozo has something for everyone. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a history lover, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained on this stunning island.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Gozo today and discover the best things to do in this idyllic island.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Gozo?
The best way to get to Gozo is through the regular ferry service, which operates from Cirkewwa in Malta to Mgarr in Gozo. The crossing takes around 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the fast ferry service from the Grand Harbour in Valletta, which takes about 45 minutes.
What is the best way to get around Gozo?
Gozo is a small island, but you still need some kind of transportation to get around. While you can use public buses to get to the most popular places, you should consider renting a car or a scooter for the day.
How long should I stay on Gozo?
Most first-time visitors to the Maltese islands dedicate a day to visiting Gozo. However, Gozo has more to offer than what you get to do in a day, so many return visitors opt to spend a few days or even their entire stay in Gozo.
