Gozo is the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago, which is also inhabited by people. It is not as densely populated as the island of Malta. It is more conducive to natural and rural recreation and is well suited for lovers of pristine nature. And between two large islands, Malta and Gozo, there is a small island of Comino, where almost no one lives, but it is known all over the world for its incredibly beautiful beach, the Blue Lagoon.
I set aside two days to explore Gozo, and on the way to Malta, I also got to the small island of Comino. And for this purpose, she stayed overnight at a hotel in Victoria. The purpose of the two days was to walk along the cliffs and the sea, visit abandoned saltworks, and hidden bays on the island, and go hiking along the island’s trails. On the way back to Malta, he visited the island of Comino in the Blue Lagoon.
I’ll tell you what you can do on these islands in two full days and what you should see.
Getting to the island of Gozo
There are two ways to get to Gozo:
The first is a high-speed ferry from Valletta to the ferry pier in the town of Mgarr(7.5 euros one way, 15 euros round trip). In calm, windless weather, this is the best way to go – it’s very fast, just 45 minutes on the road. But I strongly advise you to check the weather and wind speed before buying a ticket for this ferry. Because even in a small storm, a high-speed ferry can be rocked very strongly. It was in a storm that I was riding it to Gozo and almost everyone around me was vomiting. That is, even if you do not have problems with the vestibular system, it is not a pleasant experience to be among people who feel sick from swaying. Find the ferry schedule on the website of the ferry company.
The second option (suitable for those who are motion sick) is to take a bus or car to the town of Cirkewwa in the north of Malta, and then transfer to a car ferry. These are big ferries that are not afraid of big waves, so swaying won’t ruin your day. Buses #41 and #42 run to Cirkevva from Valletta, and then a ferry to Mgarra (Gozo) – travel time is one hour. Ferries run from 06:00-6:45 to 23:00 with an interval of 20 minutes, travel time – half an hour. The round-trip fare is 4.65 EUR/adult, 2 EUR/child(round-trip transportation costs 15.7 EUR). Schedule on the website of the ferry service.
Keep in mind that the ferry schedule varies depending on the season, in summer it is almost round-the-clock, but it is better to think about connecting with the last bus in advance.
The best way to travel around Gozo
Gozo’s transportation system is the same as in Malta. Therefore, if you arrive for more than 3-4 days, buy a weekly pass for 25 euros (available at the airport). With it, you can travel unlimitedly on all buses in Malta and Gozo.
In addition, although the island is small, there is a Hop on Hop Off bus system familiar to many. Although this is the most touristy way to get around, if you don’t want to rent a car, it will help you see the most in a day.
I advise you to read: Transportation in Malta – how to get around the islands
Where to stay in Gozo
Victoria is the capital of the island of Gozo. The central bus station is located here, so if you choose to travel by public transport, this is a good place to look for a hotel. Buses run from Victoria in all directions.
I advise you to look for a hotel or guesthouse near the bus station and the center. Because most of the good restaurants and cafes are located here, where you can have a delicious meal in the morning or in the evening after exploring the island.
I suggest looking at the following options in Victoria:
- Splendid House Victoria Gozo≫ – I stayed in this cozy guesthouse, located 5 minutes from the Victoria bus station. I liked everything – a nice bed, a shared kitchen to make breakfast, very good water pressure in the shower (there is an additional pump that makes it work), air conditioning, and a view of the neighboring hills from the balcony.
- Townhouse17 Boutique Bed & Breakfast≫ – The guesthouse has excellent rooms and a private rooftop pool overlooking the island of Gozo and the sea.
- Provicario≫ – is located next to the main square and close to the citadel. It is an ideal location for those who want to visit many places around Gozo, as it is perfectly connected to the rest of the island. The very good breakfast includes local Gozo specialties.
Hotels in Gozo with beautiful sea views:
If you are not tied to the Victoria bus station and are traveling by car, I recommend staying somewhere near the sea.
- Seafront Penthouse with Terrace in Xlendi, Gozo≫ – The hotel is located in the town of Xlendi, with a picturesque view of the bay. The rooms have balconies where you can have breakfast or drink wine at sunset.
- St. Patrick’s Hotel≫ – is also a hotel located on the waterfront in Xlendi, with very cozy rooms and views of the bay.
- SeaBreeze Waterfront Flat≫ – is an apartment hotel located near the only sandy beach in Gozo – Marsalforn Beach. The apartments are designed for a maximum of 4 people, very convenient for families with children.
- Sunset Seaview Accommodation≫ – is a hotel with double rooms in the town of Marsalforn, near the beach. The rooms have their own kitchen, which is convenient for those who come to rest on the sea on the island of Gozo.
- Gozo Harbour Views, Mgarr Heights≫ – is a very nice hotel in the town of Mgarr, near the ferry crossing. Mġarr has very good fish restaurants, so it makes sense to stay here to park your car and walk to the fish restaurants in the evening.
What to do and see in Gozo in two days
First of all, Gozo is a fantastic landscape on the edge of the sea and rocks. There is no such dense development as in Malta, so between the towns and villages you can see real rural Malta with vegetable gardens and small orchards. Even on the outskirts of Victoria, you can hear the roosters, who will not let you lie in bed for long in the morning. And rightly so, because there is always little time to see everything interesting.
Gozo is known for its rocky coastline, idyllic bays and pastoral landscapes. It is also believed to be the mythological island of Ogygia, where the nymph Calypso held Odysseus captive for seven years, according to Homer’s Odyssey. Gozo is truly a wonderful place, worthy of legends. The best way to discover the beauty of Gozo is to take a walk along the island’s coast.
Citadel in Victoria
The main historical spot of the island, the Citadel, is located in Victoria, the capital of Gozo. A fortified medieval city located on top of a hill, from which the entire island is visible 360 degrees during the day. There is the Cathedral, many museums, the Old Prison and other historical buildings on the territory. I came there in the evening – everything is very beautifully illuminated. Standing on the observation deck on the fortress wall, I saw all the towns and illuminated churches around me. You can walk the streets and walls of the Citadel of Malta for free.
Getting there from Victoria: bus #301 from the ferry to Mgarr
Inland sea in Dwejra Bay
Visit Dwejra Bay, one of the places where Game of Thrones was filmed (the wedding venue for Daenerys and Khal Drogo). It was also once home to the famous Azur Window stone arch, which collapsed in 2017. A unique natural attraction, the Inland Sea, is located 100 meters away.
It is a small bay cut off from the sea but connected to it by a small passage in the rock, through which small boats can pass and clean sea water comes in. In good weather (without wind), local fishermen take everyone along the shore for 5 euros, going out to sea through a cave.
Walk to the left to the other side of Dwejra Bay, which offers spectacular views of the bay and Fungus Rock, a 60-meter-high rock standing in the sea. In windy weather, when huge waves crash against the rocks, it’s a truly breathtaking sight.
Getting there from Victoria: bus #311
Bay Xlendi
Xlendi is a small resort village located in a cozy bay. Immediately head towards the exit of the bay, which offers the best views of the sea and cliffs. There are cafes and a couple of restaurants on the waterfront, and it’s nice to sit at a cozy table overlooking the bay. On the right side of the bay, you can see steps along the cliff leading to an observation deck overlooking the bay and the Carolina Grotto. Right next to the bus stop is Gelateria Granolah (Xatt Ix Xlendi) with a large selection of Italian gelato.
Getting there from Victoria: bus #306
Salt mines in Gozo
I highly recommend seeing Salt Pans – special formations made in the rocks for the evaporation of sea salt. They are actually found in different places on the island, because this is how salt was mined in Malta as well. But the large-scale ones are located near the village of Żebbuġ and the beach of Malsarforn.
The salt Pans are large and small pools where sea water gets into the storm. And then the water evaporates under the sun, leaving salt crystals on the stones.
I advise you to take a bus to Malsarforn and from there walk to all the salt mines, reaching the small narrow bay of Wied il-Għasri. This is a very beautiful bay, which is accessed by a path and stairs – the water in the bay is incredibly blue.
Getting there from Victoria: bus #309, 310
Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs
The Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs are up to 138 meters high, at the foot of which the waves of the Mediterranean crash with a roar. The place is very beautiful both during the day and at sunset. These vertical limestone cliffs are not only the highest sea cliffs in Gozo, but also perhaps the most beautiful in Malta.
They also serve as an important breeding ground for seabirds. The cliffs are home to the largest colony of Cory’s petrels in the Maltese Islands, with 1000 pairs.
The Ta’ Cenc Cliffs observation deck is privately owned. However, access to it is allowed. But remember that you are a guest here. And I think this beautiful strip of coastline will only be available to visitors as long as visitors are respectful and quiet.
Getting there from Victoria: bus #305.
Cenc Bus Stop is located along the roundabout at the entrance to Ta’ Cenc & Spa.
From the bus stop, follow the road in the direction of the hotel. The road soon splits, with the right road leading to the hotel and the left road leading to an empty lot. Go to the left. Cross the site and follow the signs for “Tennis”, “Mgarr X Xini” and “Beach”. A pedestrian path leads past the indoor tennis court to the Trik and Skerla road. Turn right onto the asphalt road and walk 4 minutes (290 meters) to the “trailhead”.
Hiking routes on Gozo
The best way to discover the beauty of Gozo is to take a walk along the island’s coast.
As soon as I arrived in Gozo, I decided to take a small hike route that starts right next to the ferry crossing from Malta to Gozo and leads to the Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs. The track takes two hours, and along the way, you will see an ancient fort, incredible bays with stone beaches, Mġarr ix-Xini Bay, where the movie By the Sea with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was filmed.
If this walk is not enough for you, I recommend continuing along the sea and reaching the next bay, Xlendi. Most of the trail runs along the coast. There are many restaurants along the bay, a smooth sidewalk path circles the bay to an idyllic picnic area with many benches. The trail continues to hug the bay and then crosses a stone bridge.
Comino Island – how to get there and what to do
Another issue is how to get to Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon. This is a separate transport that runs to Comino from both Malta and Gozo. They are also ferries (at least that’s what the locals call them), and in fact they are motor boats of different sizes. All of them are part of the so-called cooperation of ferries operating on the Comino. That’s why they all have the same prices.
There are several options for prices and routes:
- Ferry Gozo-Comino-Gozo – 10 euros for a regular round-trip ticket, 15 euros with the opportunity to see the grottoes of Comino.
- The Malta-Comino-Malta ferry is the same, 10 euros for a regular round-trip ticket, 15 euros with the opportunity to see the Comino grottoes.
- You can also pay for a one-way ticket(5 Euros). For example, you can sail from Malta to Comino, stay there, and then catch a ferry to Gozo, paying another 5 (or 10) euros, depending on whether you want to see the grottoes. This option is possible, but boat owners are not very happy when asked about it. So they may refuse – be aware of this as well.
These routes are operated by different boat owners (companies), so if you buy a round-trip ticket from one, you will be returning with the same one. Other ferries will not take you, so follow the schedule of your company (it is printed on the ticket).
Tickets in each company have a different color: blue, black, orange, green. The color of the ticket indicates boarding. That is, everyone is standing in a pile on the pier, a ferry boat comes up, you ask the waterman, or he tells you the color of the ticket: blue, orange, black, green tickets.
In principle, everything is simple, you just need to understand this system a little bit.
What to do in Comino
The first thing that attracts tourists to Comino is the Blue Lagoon, a small beach with white sand and incredibly blue water. This beach is so popular that even in winter there are a lot of people here, and there are even those who are ready to swim in the cold water for the sake of beautiful photos.
The fact is that the pier where boats bring tourists is located in the Blue Lagoon. And most people stay here. But you can swim in the bay and then go for a walk around the island-it’s beautiful and has several bays that are no less beautiful. I advise you to walk around the island, see the Santa Maria Tower, go to the Santa Maria Bay – there are almost no tourists here.
Useful links for traveling to Malta:
Car rental – I am looking for inexpensive options on Rentalcars.com
Booking hotels and apartments – traditionally on Booking.com
Excursions in Malta – book in advance on GetYourGuide
Buses in Malta and Gozo on the website of the transport company of Malta .
High-speed ferry from Malta to Gozo – tickets are available at the ticket office or online on the port’s website.
What else to read:
- Tropea – beach vacation in Calabria, Italy
- Malta – how to plan a trip for 7 days
- Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal
- Transportation in Malta – the best way to get around the islands
