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When planning your Malta trip, Gozo is a must. An island full of history, culture, and adventure. In this Gozo travel guide, we share the best things to do in Gozo, from kayaking to the Blue Lagoon and discovering hidden beaches, to exploring ancient UNESCO temples and tasting local food on a Gozo food tour.
You’ll also find practical Gozo travel tips, the best Gozo itinerary ideas, diving spots, how many days you need to visit, advice on getting around, and tips on saving money on attractions and activities, while making the most of the best Gozo attractions and beaches.
Contents
The laid-back island of Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is an oasis of charming villages, beautiful beaches, ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites, and stunning coastal views at every turn. Its the unique blend of Mediterranean, European, and Arab cultures that collide on Gozo is what makes it truly special.
We love the slower pace of life on Gozo; we could immediately feel the difference when we hopped onto the ferry across the Gozo Channel from Malta. Even with its relaxing atmosphere, the island is packed with thrilling outdoor adventures, including hiking, diving, rock climbing, cycling, kayaking, coasteering, and paddleboarding.
Take your time to experience the variety of things to do on Gozo, whether you want to savour the delicious food, explore underwater to witness the vast seagrass meadows and marine wildlife, or wander the enchanting streets of the capital.
Why visit Gozo?
Seeking a quieter corner of Malta? Then Gozo might be the place for you. While Malta has many incredible places to explore, Gozo offers a unique island identity, a slower way of life, old-world charm, and an affordable alternative to Malta.
Gozo is also one of the best islands for outdoor activities, with scenic hikes, wildlife spotting, spectacular dive sites, and stunning sandy beaches. Active travellers and nature enthusiasts will love Gozo for the variety of experiences it has to offer!
How many days do you need in Gozo?
While Gozo is a popular day trip from Malta, we’d recommend spending at least 3 to 7 days to fully experience everything the island has to offer. A day trip can feel rushed and will only show you some of the highlights, rather than allowing you to enjoy the island at your own pace.
Here are some itinerary ideas based on how much time you have to explore Gozo:
1 day
Victoria Citadel
Dwerja Bay
Xwejni Salt Pans
Ramla Bay
3-4 days
Kayak Blue Lagoon
Ramla Bay
Victoria Citadel at sunset
Explore the backstreets of Victoria
Hondoq Bay
Food tour
5-7 days
Kayak Blue Lagoon
Ramla Bay
Victoria Citadel at sunset
Explore the backstreets of Victoria
Hondoq Bay
Food tour
Diving
Snorkelling in Wied il-Ghasri
Dhalet Qorrot
Ggantija temple
Xlendia Bay
Ta Pinu Basilica
Getting Around Gozo
Transport on Gozo is a little more spread out, but there are still a few options to get around, depending on your travel style.
Rent a car
Hiring a car is one of the easiest ways to get around Gozo. It offers the most flexibility and allows you to explore hidden corners of the island that aren’t accessible by public transport. Driving in Gozo can be a bit erratic, so you’ll need to drive carefully and be prepared for more chaotic road conditions. We recommend getting excess car insurance for peace of mind.
If you decide to hire a car, make sure to choose a reliable rental company and check the deposit and insurance terms carefully. Some companies, such as Sicily by Car, charge high deposits up to €1,800, which can be frustrating.
Take public transport
Some buses connect most of the main villages across Gozo, with access to most of the major attractions. The bus terminal hub is in Victoria, the central heart of the island and is an affordable way to get around if you have more time.
TOP TIP | Get a Tallinja Card to save money on public transport. This reusable card can be topped up and is valid across Malta and Gozo. For example, the Explore Adult Card gives you unlimited travel for seven days and costs €25.
City Sightseeing Hop-on and hop-off buses also operate on Gozo, which is included in your Malta Multi Pass, also saving you money if you plan to visit multiple historic sites and museums.
The only disadvantage of these buses is that they run almost every hour, which can mean you’ll need to plan more around their schedule, and there is no service for the evening.
Save money with a Malta Pass
If you’re planning to visit several attractions, the Malta Multi Pass or the Discover Gozo Combo Ticket can save you money while offering flexibility and convenience.
Below, we’ll explain the differences between the two and help you decide which is best for your trip.
Malta Multi Pass + Gozo
4 and 6-day premium passes include Gozo sites
Entry to multiple sites across Malta and Gozo
Only valid for consecutive days
Also includes boat to Comino and Gozo
Ideal for those exploring both Malta and Gozo in a short time
Also include hop-on and hop-off buses (every hour)
Discover Gozo Combo Ticket (Heritage Malta)
An affordable option for those looking to visit Gozo
Access to main sites on Gozo, including Ggantija, Citadella visitor centre and museums
Valid for 30 days from use
€13 per adult
No transport included, but ideal for those who already have arranged a rental car or plan to use public transport
Best Things to Do in Gozo
Before you start exploring Gozo, it’s worth noting that several of the sites listed below are included in the passes mentioned above. Planning can help you make the most of your visit. Choose from the best things to do in Gozo, and then pick the pass that offers the best value.
Gozo is a relatively small island, taking just about 45 minutes to cross from one side to the other, so you can easily fit more experiences into a single day.
Get ready to experience the very best of Gozo!
Celebrate Like a Local at a Gozitan Festival
Summer is festival season on Gozo, and we timed our visit with the Feast of St Peter and St Paul in Nadur, which was a highlight. Held every year on the last Sunday of June around the stunning Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, the day comes alive with parades, fireworks, and playful water fights through the streets. Locals dress in red and white, bands march, and bars spill out onto the streets, creating a lively, festive atmosphere.
Gozo’s festival calendar is packed from May to September, with village festas celebrating patron saints alongside major events such as the Gozo Carnival, Victoria International Arts Festival, the Fig Festival in Xaghra and the Gozo Food Festival. Weekly village feasts and spectacular firework displays add even more sparkle to summer weekends, blending tradition with celebration.
One thing is for certain: Gozitans know how to have fun. Gozo is a fantastic destination at Easter and Christmas with traditional celebrations that include live nativity scenes, markets and musical performances.
If you plan to visit during festival season, you will be well entertained. Be sure to book accommodation in advance to secure your stay.
Check the Visit Gozo website for the official festival and carnival dates.
Jump into the sea at Dahlet Qorrot Bay
If you visit Gozo in the warmer months, you’ll likely be searching for a spot to cool down. Dahlet Qorrot Bay is a beautiful cove found between Nadur and Qala. There is a small pebble beach to relax on, set against a backdrop of colourful old boathouse doors carved into the sandstone.
Jump into the ocean from the boathouses; several ladders give you easy access in and out of the sea. A beach bar serves drinks and food overlooking the bay; remember to bring cash.
Parking is limited at the beach; there are several spots along the road down to Dahlet Qorrot. It can get particularly busy in the afternoons, so it's best to get there early.
Take a Gozo Food Tour
Gozo's rich food traditions can be explored on a local tasting tour with Leanne from Taste of Gozo. On our tour, we met a sheep farmer who makes traditional sheep cheese called gbejna and visited a traditional bakery where they bake around 60 loaves a day, including classic Gozitan breads like ftira and hobza.
We also visited the iconic Gozitan salt pans to learn about the hand-harvested sea salt, which is stored in a cave and a tradition handed down by generations.
Leanne guided us through tasting Gozitan staples, including fresh sourdough bread, gbejna, ripe tomatoes, kunserva, olive oil, and sea salt. We enjoyed all of these delicious items in a scenic setting, an olive grove under a beautiful wooden veranda with rolling countryside.
The tour provided an immersive experience of Gozo's rich food culture, and we’d highly recommend booking with Taste of Gozo, supporting local producers and suppliers to get a real experience of local flavours and learn rich traditions on the island.
Kayak to the Blue Lagoon Before the Crowds
Experience a morning kayaking adventure in Gozo, exploring the famous Blue Lagoon and the stunning Comino coastline. We booked a tour with Gozo Adventures at Hondoq Bay and paddled about 6km, crossing Comino's Blue Lagoon to avoid the crowds.
We’d recommend booking your kayak tour in the morning to enjoy the lagoon peacefully. Along the coast, your guide will lead you past caves and rocky arches and stop in a quiet cove for swimming, cliff jumping, and snorkelling.
On the way back to Hondoq, passing by Vow Rock, our guide shared stories about local legend and the tumultuous history of Gozo. To do this activity, you must be a confident swimmer. We’d recommend you bring plenty of water and wear reef-safe sunscreen.
Watch Sunset at Dwejra Bay
One of the best sunsets on Gozo is over Dwerja Bay on the north coast of the island. The dramatic cliffs turn red as the sun drops above the horizon of the Mediterranean Sea. The moon-like landscape of the limestone rocks makes it feel like a movie set, and it was used for the TV series Game of Thrones.
When searching on Google Maps, type ‘Blue Hole’ or ‘Inland Sea’, as otherwise it might take you to a quarry like it did for us. Here is a link to the car park to make your life easier.
Dwerja Bay is next to the Inland Sea and the famous Blue Hole dive site, which we’ll talk about next!
Swim in the Crystal Clear Waters of Inland Sea & Blue Hole
Inland Sea is a lagoon of seawater, mostly surrounded by limestone rocks, where the seawater passes through a small, narrow arch. The sheltered bay is home to several fishing huts with colourful doors and looks out onto beautiful, clear blue water.
From the Inland Sea car park, walk down the path near the church to find regular boat tours leaving from the bay. A 15-minute ride takes you through a sea cave to see coastal arches, orange coral, and dramatic cliffs. The famous Azure Window collapsed recently, creating a popular dive site.
The Blue Hole is a famous dive site, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of his top 10 dives in the world, which put this place on the map. It’s also possible to bring your snorkel gear and explore the Blue Hole and Inland Sea with excellent water clarity. Unfortunately, the Azure Window collapsed, but it has created a fascinating new dive area.
Make sure to bring water shoes or sandals, as it’s a pebble floor and there are sharp rocks around the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole.
Try Scuba Diving or a Tri-Dive
Rituals in Xlendi offers a try-dive experience for beginners, allowing you to get a taste of diving without committing to a PADI course. The Ritual Dive Centre offers this experience, where you’ll spend some time in the classroom going over safety procedures and diving techniques to ensure you have the best dive.
Jonny went out with Liam in Xlendi Bay and was lucky enough to spot baby barracudas and even an octopus. The try-dive experience was incredible, and we were very impressed by the team and would highly recommend it before booking a PADI.
Underwater photo credit - Ell @dandyblondie
Visit the UNESCO Ggantija Temples
Step back in time at Gozo’s Ggantija Temples, ancient megalithic wonders that are even older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge, estimated at over 5,500 years old! Located on the eastern side of the island in Xaghra, Ggantija means “place of the giants”. From above, the two side-by-side temples look like gingerbread giants.
Begin your visit in the small on-site museum, where artefacts, uncovered animal carvings, and statues tell the story of this legendary place. According to local legend, giants built the temples, and seeing the massive limestone slabs in person makes you marvel at how they were moved and how they have stood the test of time.
The temples themselves are compact, so you can explore them comfortably in an hour or two. With little shade available, plan your visit for the morning or late afternoon to enjoy the site in the best light and avoid the midday heat. A trip to Ggantija is a wonderful way to connect with Gozo’s incredible past.
Relax on Ramla Bay & Hike to Tal-Mixta Cave
Ramla Bay, a stunning Blue Flag beach in Gozo, is favoured for its soft orange sand and gentle waves, making it perfect for swimming and bodyboarding. Lifeguards are on duty, and Ramla is a popular spot to watch the sunset.
The beach is also an important nesting ground for turtles from May to October. To help protect them, fill in any holes and flatten any sandcastles before leaving. Also, avoid loud music or bright white lights at night, and use a red torch instead to minimise disturbance.
Local volunteers from Nature Trust FEE Malta work hard to safeguard turtle nests from ghost crabs and other threats. You may see a stand on the beach where they are happy to share tips on marine conservation.
The beach also faces challenges from ocean plastic, so as responsible visitors, recycle your waste and leave no trace. Tal Mixta Cave offers a beautiful view of Ramla Bay from above.
Wander the Citadel in Victoria
Explore the Citadel, which is open all day and perfect for soaking up sweeping views over Gozo’s rooftops and countryside. Several museums are located inside and close at 5 pm, so plan your visit accordingly.
During the warmer months, try to visit when it is cooler, as there is little shade. If you have time, stay for sunset to enjoy panoramic views across Victoria and beyond.
If you have some spare time, wander through Fontana, a quaint village just outside Victoria, featuring a charming old fountain and beautiful valley views.
Explore Victoria’s Backstreets & Dine Local
Next, head into Victoria and browse for locally made souvenirs. To avoid mass-produced items, check where products are made; if they aren’t from Malta or Gozo, they are not truly local.
We recommend stopping by PRETI Artigjanali, near St George’s Square, which offers beautiful, authentic Gozitan products, including handmade ceramics, chocolate, jewellery, and crafts, all supporting local artisans.
Take your time wandering the streets of Victoria, especially the pedestrianised areas around St George’s Basilica along Triq il-Karita. Keep an eye out for charming doorframes, colourful potted plants, and, of course, the friendly street cats that add character to the city.
Swim and Eat in Xlendi Bay
Spend the afternoon unwinding in Xlendi Bay. You can swim in the sheltered bay and then treat yourself at Vanilla, which serves the best ice cream in town. The Greek yoghurt flavour is just what you need on a hot summer’s day. For a late lunch or dinner, Terrazzo Restaurant & Beach Bar is a great choice, offering live music and sunset views over the cliffs.
If you are after something more casual, the Block Hotel has a rooftop bar and restaurant serving tasty burgers, pizza, and Mexican food. For seafood lovers, Mal Moll on the seafront is the perfect spot for fresh Mediterranean dishes right by the water.
After your meal, stroll up to Xlendi Tower for sweeping views or follow the coastal path along the cliffs to take in the dramatic scenery. The bay is dotted with brightly painted fishing boats and modern boats you can hire for a trip along the coast to Dwejra.
Snorkel in Wied il-Ghasri
Discover the beautiful Wied il-Ghasri, a scenic gorge with clear water for swimming and snorkelling. The small beach can get busy, and the steps are steep but short. Parking is limited but nearby. Despite some plastic litter, the gorge has excellent underwater sights and unique rock formations to explore.
There are several other snorkelling spots across Gozo, and if you’d like to be shown the best, Rituals offers guided snorkelling experiences. We went with their in-house marine biologist, Emily, to the Middle Finger site, which offers seagrass meadows and colourful fish.
Visit Ta’ Pinu Basilica
Stop at Gozo’s most important religious site, Ta’ Pinu Basilica, a large Roman Catholic church surrounded by peaceful countryside. It’s recognised as a place of healing and enlightenment, where a local woman heard the Virgin Mary’s voice and was healed.
Take time to admire the mosaics outside and visit the original chapel inside. Locals also believe Ta’ Pinu protected Gozo from the worst of the plague. There’s a small car park opposite the church and a few vendors out the front selling honey, fruit and ice cream.
Visit the Salt Pans
Gozo has been hand-harvesting sea salt for 350 years, and it is a long-standing tradition passed through generations. Methods used today mimic those used during the Roman era, using large pools and then dividing them into smaller sections to increase the rate of evaporation and creation of salt.
There are two areas on Gozo to see the salt pans; on the south coast there are the Xatt l-Ahmar Salt Pans, and on the north coast are the Xwejni Bay salt pans, an extensive 3km stretch of pans overlooking the ocean from Xwejni Bay to Wied il-Ghasri.
Families have caves carved into the limestone to store the salt and sell it directly to those passing by. You will also find salt in local shops too.
Where to Stay on Gozo
Read our in-depth guide to campsites, hotels and unique accommodation and the best places to stay in Gozo.
This easy-to-use map below will help you find your dream stay in Gozo. Select your dates in the search bar below and compare the best prices across the main booking sites to show you the best deals.