Gozo, Malta’s sister island
Gozo (Għawdex in Maltese) is the second island of the Maltese archipelago, six kilometres north-west of Malta. Greener, more rural and far quieter than its neighbour, it lies just 25 minutes away by ferry. Visitors come for its cliffs, coves, prehistoric temples and Citadel. They also come for a pace of life that recalls the Malta of old.
- 41,253 inhabitants (2024)
- 67 km²
- 25 min by ferry from Malta
- 1980 Ġgantija temples added to the UNESCO list
- 14 km long, about 7 km wide
Must-sees in Gozo
Gozo is small, but its sights are spread out. Allow one day for the highlights, or two to three to really enjoy it. Here are the six must-sees. Our page on things to do in Gozo covers the top 10 visits in detail.
The Citadel in Victoria
The fortress towers over the whole island from its hilltop. Restored between 2012 and 2016, it’s free to wander: ramparts, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the old prison and the visitor centre.
The Ġgantija temples
In Xagħra, these megalithic temples are over 5,500 years old. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980, they rank among the oldest stone buildings in the world.
The Ta’ Pinu Basilica
Completed in 1932, this neo-Romanesque shrine stands alone in the Għarb countryside. A major place of pilgrimage, it has been visited by two popes, John Paul II and Francis.
Dwejra and the Inland Sea
The Azure Window collapsed in 2017, but Dwejra is still spectacular: the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and the Blue Hole, one of the finest dive sites in the Mediterranean.
Ramla Bay
Gozo’s finest beach, with reddish-orange sand at the foot of a green valley. Calypso’s Cave, which overlooks it, remains closed for safety reasons.
The Xwejni salt pans
West of Marsalforn, hundreds of pans cut into the rock still produce sea salt. The harvest runs from mid-May to September.
Neighbourhoods and vibe of Gozo
Victoria (Rabat), the capital
In the centre of the island, Victoria is home to the Citadel, the shops, the two opera houses and the bus station. It’s the most practical base without a car, as every bus route passes through.
Marsalforn, the seaside resort
On the north coast, Marsalforn is the liveliest holiday village, with a seafront, restaurants, hotels and apartments. The Xwejni salt pans are a few minutes’ walk away.
Xlendi, the bay of restaurants
In the south-west, the small bay of Xlendi sits tucked between two cliffs. Its quayside is lined with fish restaurants, and divers will find caves and reefs here.
Xagħra and Nadur, the hilltop villages
On the eastern plateaux, Xagħra is home to the Ġgantija temples and overlooks Ramla Bay. Neighbouring Nadur is known for its carnival and its views of Comino.
Mġarr and Għajnsielem, the gateway
Mġarr harbour welcomes the ferries from Malta. Nearby, Għajnsielem and Qala lead to the coves of the south-east coast, such as Ħondoq ir-Rummien, facing Comino.
San Lawrenz and Għarb, the wild west
These are the island’s quietest villages, set among countryside, cliffs and Dwejra. You’ll find the Ta’ Pinu Basilica here, along with a few boutique hotels.
Things to do in Gozo
Without a car, organised tours are the easiest way to see plenty of sights in a day. The Gozo jeep tour follows dirt tracks out to the cliffs, while the quad bike tour suits the more adventurous. The hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus links the main sights from Mġarr.
Gozo is also worth exploring from the sea. A kayak trip follows the coastal caves to Comino and the Blue Lagoon. Walking is a real pleasure too, from the Ta’ Ċenċ coast to the valleys of Wied il-Għasri and Wied il-Mielaħ.
Must-do activities in Gozo
History of Gozo
Gozo has been inhabited for over 7,000 years. Its first farmers, who came from Sicily, built the Ġgantija temples more than 5,500 years ago. The Phoenicians, then the Romans, who called it Gaulos, made it an island of farming and fishing. Legend places Ogygia here, the island of the nymph Calypso in the Odyssey.
In 1551, an Ottoman raid carried off almost the entire population into slavery. Gozo was slowly repopulated under the Knights of St John, who strengthened the Citadel. The island then followed Malta’s history: French rule, then British, and independence in 1964.
Today, the Gozo and Comino region has just over 41,000 inhabitants. The island lives from tourism, farming and fishing, and fiercely guards its identity. Locals happily call themselves “Gozitan” before “Maltese”.
- IVᵉ millénaire av. J.-C. The Ġgantija temples are built
- 218 av. J.-C. Gozo comes under Roman rule, along with Malta
- 1551 Ottoman raid: the population is carried off into slavery
- 1883 Reported apparition at Ta’ Pinu, the start of the pilgrimage
- 1932 The Ta’ Pinu Basilica is completed
- 1980 Ġgantija is added to the UNESCO World Heritage list
- 2017 The Azure Window collapses at Dwejra
Where is Gozo and how to get there
Gozo covers 67 km², six kilometres north-west of Malta, across the Gozo Channel. Between the two islands lies Comino and its Blue Lagoon. The island has no airport. Every visitor arrives by boat at Mġarr harbour, after flying into Malta Airport.
The Gozo Channel ferry links Ċirkewwa, at Malta’s northern tip, with Mġarr harbour in 25 minutes. It runs day and night, with a departure every 15 to 30 minutes during the day. You board without a ticket on the way out and pay on the return, at Mġarr. A return trip costs €4.65 per passenger and €15.70 for a car and driver, with cheaper night fares in winter.
The Gozo Highspeed fast ferry links Valletta with Mġarr in 45 minutes, for €7.50 one way. It doesn’t carry vehicles. Since May 2026, a route also serves Sliema and Buġibba.
On the island, buses leave Victoria bus station for every village, but some routes run infrequently. Hiring a car gives the most freedom, and most Maltese rental firms let you take it on the ferry. See also our tips on transport in Malta.
The most useful routes to the ferry, then Victoria (approximate times, check the Malta Public Transport journey planner):
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
When to visit Gozo and how long to stay
Spring, from April to June, is the best season, with the countryside in bloom, mild temperatures and few crowds. September and October bring a sea that’s still warm and Victoria’s opera season. In July and August, the island fills up at weekends, mostly with Maltese visitors, and the ferries are busier.
Winter is still pleasant for walking, with green valleys and deserted cliffs. Just avoid stormy days, when rough seas can disrupt the fast ferry crossings.
- February Gozo Carnival : just before Lent, in February or early March depending on the year, with float parades in Victoria and a freer, darker spontaneous carnival in Nadur.
- July Gozo Food Festival : in mid-July in Xewkija, two days of local cooking, ftira and ġbejniet.
- August Santa Marija : on 15 August, the great Feast of the Assumption in Victoria, with fireworks and traditional horse races.
- October Victoria opera season : in October, the Aurora and Astra theatres, neighbours on Republic Street, each stage a major opera.
- December Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem : from mid-December to Epiphany, on selected dates, a giant living nativity with hundreds of costumed extras, free entry.
How long should you allow? One day is enough for a first taste: the Citadel, Ġgantija, Ramla and Dwejra, by car or on a tour. Allow two or three days to enjoy the coves, the walks and the island’s pace. If you’re setting off early from Malta, catch the ferry before 9am to avoid the mid-morning queues.
Where to stay in Gozo
Gozo has two five-star hotels and a good choice of guesthouses. The Kempinski San Lawrenz near Dwejra and the Hotel Ta’ Ċenċ & Spa in Sannat offer peace and large gardens. Marsalforn and Xlendi have most of the simpler hotels, right by the water.
Staying on the island lets you see it without the day-trippers. To compare places to stay across the archipelago, see our page on hotels in Malta.
The most popular hotels in Gozo among travellers
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
Hotel Ta’ Ċenċ & Spa
Hotel Calypso
Cornucopia Hotel
Block Hotel
Where to eat in Gozo
The island’s speciality is the ftira għawdxija, a sourdough base topped and baked like a tart: ġbejniet, potatoes, tomatoes, anchovies and capers. Maltese ftira has been on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list since 2020. Ġbejniet, small sheep’s cheeses served fresh, dried or peppered, are on offer everywhere.
The 2026 Michelin Guide lists several Gozitan restaurants: Ta’ Frenċ and Al Sale in Xagħra, Osteria Scottadito in Nadur, and Level Nine and Tmun in Mġarr. Verbena, in Mġarr, has been awarded a Bib Gourmand. For a simple meal, the fish restaurants on the Xlendi quayside and the Marsalforn seafront remain safe bets.
Around Gozo
Comino and the Blue Lagoon
Between Malta and Gozo, the tiny island of Comino and its turquoise lagoon, a few minutes by boat from Mġarr.
Ramla Bay beach
Our full guide to Gozo’s finest sandy beach: access, facilities and tips.
Ħondoq ir-Rummien
A cove with turquoise water facing Comino, ideal for snorkelling and kayaking.
Marsalforn
The resort on the island’s north coast, with its seafront restaurants and small beach.
Our verdict on Gozo
Gozo delivers on its promise of calm. Step off the ferry and the pace changes: country lanes, honey-coloured stone villages, terraced fields and cliffs plunging into deep blue water. Within a few kilometres, the island packs in major sights, from Ġgantija to Dwejra. It suits divers and walkers alike.
That tranquillity has its downsides. Without a car, the buses force you to pick two or three sights a day. The Azure Window is gone, and Calypso’s Cave is closed. In the evening, outside Marsalforn and Xlendi, the island goes to sleep early. It’s a trip for those seeking nature, not nightlife.
What we love
- An unspoilt island, greener and quieter than Malta
- Major sights: the Ġgantija temples, the Citadel, Dwejra
- Some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean
- A frequent, cheap ferry, running day and night
- Authentic local food, from ftira to ġbejniet
Worth knowing before you go
- Infrequent buses on some routes
- The Azure Window collapsed in 2017, and Calypso’s Cave is closed
- Limited nightlife outside the summer
- Ferry queues at summer weekends
- Few sandy beaches, as most of the coast is rocky
Frequently asked questions about Gozo
How do you get to Gozo from Malta?
The easiest option is the Gozo Channel ferry, from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, in 25 minutes. It leaves every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and carries cars. From Valletta, the Gozo Highspeed fast ferry reaches Mġarr in 45 minutes, without vehicles.
How much is the ferry to Gozo?
With Gozo Channel, a return trip costs €4.65 per adult passenger and €15.70 for a car and driver. You pay on the return, at Mġarr. The fast ferry from Valletta costs €7.50 one way.
Is there an airport on Gozo?
No. You need to land at Malta International Airport, then reach Ċirkewwa by bus, taxi or car and take the ferry. The TD1 express route links the airport with the port.
How many days do you need to visit Gozo?
One day lets you see the highlights by car or on a tour. Two or three days are ideal to enjoy the coves, walks and diving at a relaxed pace.
Can you visit Gozo without a car?
Yes. Buses leave Victoria bus station for every village, and the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus links the main sights. Jeep or quad bike tours are another way to see a lot in a day.
Does the Azure Window still exist?
No. Dwejra’s natural arch collapsed into the sea on 8 March 2017, after several days of storms. The site is still stunning, with the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and the Blue Hole.
When is the best time to visit Gozo?
Spring, from April to June, when the countryside is green and crowds are thin. September and October are also very pleasant, with a sea that’s still warm.
When is the Gozo carnival?
Just before Lent, in late February or early March depending on the year. The official parades take place in Victoria, and Nadur’s spontaneous carnival draws revellers from across the archipelago.
Gozo in pictures
