Gozo may be a small island on the Mediterranean sea, but it sure boasts a variety of fun activities for visitors to enjoy.
This includes exploring the local villages, dining on delectable Mediterranean cuisine or just soaking up the sun and relaxing at the beach.
The island’s warm climate allows for a number of outdoor activities.
Summer weather ranges from warm to hot and it is the perfect time for a long day of soaking up the sun at one of Gozo’s famous beaches or to simply go for that diving experience you’ve been wanting to scratch off your holiday bucket list for so long.
Winters are mostly mild and sunny with rains on rare occasions and are truly one of Gozo’s many blessings.
Climbing, hiking or simply walking in the countryside are ideal on bright and warm days even in January.
Aside from the delicious food and wine to indulge in, let’s go ahead and plan your perfect holiday with the following list of 10 things to see in Gozo.
A Little Bit About the Gozitan Lifestyle
The Gozitan lifestyle is authentic and seems to be immune to the heavy urbanization that has afflicted its sister island Malta.
Everyone takes their time going about their own business and the locals are known as relaxed folks that are seemingly never in a rush to be somewhere.
While time may be of the essence if you are doing a day trip around Gozo, don’t forget to have an early start of the day and take a moment for yourself to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of this island.
1. The Citadel – Ċittadella
Gozo’s major landmark and the first on our list is the majestic ancient fortified city – The Citadel.
It stands gallantly as a beacon visible from all the island and it is reminiscent of its heroic past. It is rich in buildings of architectural, military and historical value and here you can visit a number of interesting museums and old prisons.
The site offers an ideal setting for quality events that bring the past back to life with the most impressive skyline and a breathtaking view that allows you to see the coast around the whole island of Gozo.
It rises dramatically above ir-Rabat and it is built at a perfect strategic vantage point as intended by the military architects who built it.
Visiting The Citadel while in Gozo should not be missed.
2. Our Lady of Ta’Pinu Basilica
This architectural masterpiece was built between 1920 and 1931.
In 1883 a woman from a Gozitan village heard the voice of Our Lady at the small chapel that was then standing on this site.
It rapidly became a centre of attraction and the number of visitors soon overwhelmed the little church. Today’s monumental shrine of Our Lady of Ta’Pinu was constructed in front of the original chapel.
The small chapel remains intact behind the now massive altar and still contains the painting of the Assumption to Heaven of Our Lady whose voice has spoken to the woman from the Gozitan village.
Its superb sculptures and craftsmanship in Maltese stone are what one would refer to as a masterpiece.
3. Dwejra Tower
Located along the rocky western side of Gozo, Dwejra Tower was built in 1652 to guard the previously undefended Dwejra coast.
The Tower was also used to deny access to Fungus Rock or also known as the General’s Rock or “Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral”, preventing anyone from collecting the famous brownish-coloured fungus that grows on it and was thought to have unique medicinal properties.
Anyone caught stealing the plant was punished by death. Erroneously, in actuality, scientists have yet to establish this assumption.
4. Ġgantija Temples
The Ggantija Temples are located in the small village of Xaghra, about 3.2 km northeast of the capital Victoria.
The name derives from the word “ggant“, Maltese for giant, as Gozitans used to believe that the temples were built by a race of giants.
Little is known about the society responsible for the constructions of the temples, besides the assumption that they most likely came from modern-day Sicily and lived peacefully as hunters.
Another mysterious fact is that their society somehow completely disappeared, leaving historians puzzled as to how they completely vanished from the Maltese islands entirely.
Some of these megaliths exceed five meters in length and weigh over fifty tons, perfectly describing the name given.
Remains of animal bones and skulls suggest some sort of ritual involving animal sacrifice.
A small number of statuettes and other prehistoric objects found at Ġgantija can be seen in the Gozo Museum of Archaeology.
5. Calypso Cave
Calypso’s Cave overlooks the splendid red sands of Gozo’s most famous beach, Ramla l-Hamra and it is alleged to be the cave referred to by Homer in The Odyssey.
According to Homer’s epic poem, Odysseus was held captive by the nymph Calypso for seven years in a cave on the island of Ogygia which is believed to be today’s island of Gozo.
The story tells that the beautiful Calypso fell madly in love with Odysseus and refused to let go of him for so long that the gods had to intervene in order for her to release him so he can return home to his wife Penelope.
6. Victoria ir-Rabat
Ir-Rabat (Victoria) is the capital city of the island of Gozo. The name was given to the town in honour of the famous British Quen’s Golden Jubilee.
Its towering walls allow for superb views over the whole island and within the Citadel there are many of the main historical sites of ir-Rabat (Victoria) including:
- The Museum of Archaeology,
- The Gozo Nature Museum,
- The Old Prison,
- The World War II Shelter, and
- The Cathedral Museum.
The Bianca Giuratale that dominates the square is the city hall of Victoria and it was built in the 18th century as the seat of the University of Gozo, but over the years it housed several government departments and also served as a police station and a post office.
7. Dwejra Bay
Dwejra Bay is located along the rocky western side of Gozo and is a protected nature reserve with its dramatic coastal formations.
It was also home to one of the Mediterranean’s most magical attraction and natural wonder, the Azure Window before it collapsed due to weather conditions back in 2017.
Dwejra Bay is the perfect spot of choice for scuba dives due to the spectacular deep sea of the bay that you can freely explore.
The cliffs are riddled with prehistoric fossils and provide the perfect place to be on a sunny afternoon.
8. Ramla I-Hamra (The Red Beach)
It is located in Xaghra at the base of a verdant, fertile valley and it is Gozo’s and probably Malta’s best beach.
It is referred to locally as “Ramla il-Ħamra” – the Red Sandy Beach and it is a beautiful place to swim, snorkel or take a moment for yourself and enjoy the summer sun.
The area around the beach is mostly undeveloped with a couple of cafes and a stall set back from the beach.
Besides the beautiful burnt orange sand, the bay offers a spectacular view of the deep blue Mediterranean sea.
9. Xlendi
When planning of visiting Gozo, you must include visiting Xlendi on your list.
Xlendi Bay is a beautiful little sandy cove embraced with a cliff on one side that protects the little boats dotting their way to open sea.
Xlendi Bay is a popular swimming, diving, and snorkelling spot as the small sandy beach leads into shallow waters that can be the perfect adventure even for beginners in diving.
This is also a typical Gozitan fishing village where you will find yourself spoiled for choice when deciding which one of the many good restaurants and bars should you relax and indulge in the deliciously-prepared meals.
10. Marsalforn
Marsalforn is one of the most popular and lively tourist attraction on the northern part of the island.
This fishing town is big on hospitality especially in summer when it throbs with life as many Gozitan and Maltese families move in to spend the summer at the coast, accompanied by the foreign visitors that arrive for a dose of sun and sea.
Marsalforn was an important port during the 16th century when merchants were bringing goods from Sicily.
The many restaurants lining the seafront offer the most delicious fresh food served on the island.
After a good meal, you can spend the rest of your day relaxing by the small beach or head along the coast to visit several lovely swimming spots.
Final Thoughts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33mQtwG_f90
Although not as lively as the nightlife scene of its sister island Malta, here in Gozo, you will discover an island that moves at a relaxed and leisurely tempo.
Hopefully, this will allow you to focus on the simple pleasures such as the taste of the delicious food in front of you, the feel of the salty sea breeze, and a taste of the high-quality Gozitan wine.
Visiting Gozo soon? See our top 5 recommended hotels in Gozo for the perfect holiday.
