The links opposite will give you useful practical information. Please download any information or documents which may be of help when you visit. You have the opportunity to print further details which you can read at your leisure.
The Air Malta site will give you details of their flights. Malta and Gozo web sites are also useful and have been used in the compilation of some of the information on this web site.
You may also use the Contact Form (under Bookings) if you need more information or click now on the e-mail link opposite.
Click above for the Gozo Government site
Link to Air Malta
Click to contact us now
Courtesy of The Ministry for Gozo (click to link)
Gozo in full bloom
GOZO, or GHAWDEX [Awdesch] as it is locally known, lies about 20 minutes away by ferry. Measuring about one third the size of Malta it has a character quite distinct from Malta; it is primarily fishing and farming community and the countryside is greener and more spectacular.
Thanks to controls over building developments, Gozo still looks intact and mostly unspoilt. Flat-topped hills and intensely cultivated fields characterize the landscape whilst the coast has rugged cliffs, steep valleys and beautiful inlets.
Its main historical attractions are the megalithic temples of Ggantija which, according to the latest analysis, date back to around 4000 years BC. There are also other interesting testimonies from the prehistoric ties of Malta, notably the "Menhir" of Qala, "Santa Verna", a smaller temple close to Xaghra, and the Temples Tal-Qighan and Ta Marziena.
The Blue Lagoon Comino
COMINO is a tiny island between Malta and Gozo. It is completely undeveloped except for one hotel, a few farmhouses and a fortification. Its main attraction is Santa Maria Bay, which has superb crystal clear waters, particularly the Blue Lagoon, which makes it very popular with day visitors and yachts. Boat trips can be arranged from both Malta and from Gozo. For diving enthusiasts, the Cave Dive in Comino is a definite must.
RABAT [aka Victoria] the main town, is dominated by the Citadel, a fortification designed to safeguard the local population against the constant threat of piracy in the early centuries. The Bastions offer an unparalleled view of Gozo, stretching almost 360 degrees. During sunset, the view of the Citadel itself and of Ta' Pinu church is the stuff of postcards; grab your cameras and capture them if you can.
MARSALFORN is a fishing village on the north coast which has developed into Gozo's most popular sea resort. Its small size means that everywhere is within walking distance, and can be very tranquil in the off-peak seasons. Very popular with Gozitans, particularly on Sundays, and with Maltese visitors in summer, who tend to spend their weekends here. It is well serviced by restaurants, shops, diving centres.
XLENDI is a small village with a small land-locked sandy and pebbly beach, on the west side of the Island. It is tucked away under towering cliffs and has a fjord like character to it. Slightly smaller than Marsalforn, Xlendi has all the amenities for visitors. The pedestrianised Sea front can get quite busy during lunchtime and at night when al fresco dining is de riguer during the balmy summer evenings. It's also ideally placed for a Sundown or two.
BEACHES. Gozo's shoreline measures about 43 km. The main holiday resort area is Marsalforn followed by Xlendi, on the west side of the island. Both areas have very small beaches which can get very crowded in summer. The best beach on Gozo is Ramla Bay with its wide sweep of reddish sand, which is on the north side. There are many fjord like inlets which offer excellent swimming points, although no beaches. Some require a bit of a track to get to but are worth the effort, notably Mgarr ix-Xini, San Blas and Dwejra.
Xlendi Fishing (click to link to Xlendi Cruises)
Ramla Bay
Click to see Sports & Arts section
DIVING. Gozo has superb underwater visibility, even if the fauna is a bit on the sparse side. Most good dives are around 15 to 20 metres deep and include fascinating arches, caves and caverns. Octopus, groupers, wrasses, moray eels, barracuda, starfish and some coral can also be seen. There are various diving schools that cater for beginners and experienced divers, like Gozo Aqua Sports, Calypso and Nautic. Diving trips to the nearby small Island of Comino are also catered for. The 'Cave Dive' in Santa Maria and the 'Rozi' wreck dive off Cirkewwa are perfect for a day trip which includes morning and afternoon dives. See Diving for more information.
Yachts. A new Customs office, which is located at Mgarr marina, is open daily from 0800 to 1700 from May to September [closed from October to April] and will enable yachts from overseas to proceed straight to Mgarr or to leave direct from here. At other times, yachts can clear at the Customs office at Manoel Island in Malta, open from 0800 to 2200, or the Baggage Room at Gun Wharf in Grand Harbour, Malta, open 24 hours a day. If in doubt please check with Malta Radio on VHF. Ideal for anchorages are the Fungus Rock inlet, off Dwejra, Marsalforn Bay and Ramla Bay.
Click to see Sports & Arts section
Getting Around. The state of the main thoroughfares is generally good, although some of the lesser roads tend to be a bit bumpy. With Rabat basically in the centre of the Island with roads radiating to most of the outlying villages, navigation is quite easy and an adequate road sign system exists. The local bus service provides transport from Rabat to most of the outlying villages. However, car hire is recommended as it enables one to explore the more picturesque places, mainly found off the beaten track. Of of March 2009 fares are around €0.47.
Ferry Service. The Gozo Channel Company operates an all year Ro Ro Ferry service between Cirkewwa Malta and Mgarr Gozo. Journey time is approximately 20 minutes. Timetables and Fares can be found on their website. Click the image opposite.
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Helicopter This service is no longer available.
Sea Plane Service Follow the Gozo Government link at the top of this page.
Take a bus, hire a car or take a taxi
Great little cruise
Where to Eat. If you are on holidaying on a self catering basis, local produce such as tomatoes, lettuce, melons, figs and grapes are abundant, when in season, and of very good quality. Seafood is also easily found; check the Rabat market daily and the individual sellers in the villages. Crusty white bread is a must and found in most groceries. Most meats tend to be imported and of good quality. A big local favourite is rabbit which is served as stew, with pasta or fried in garlic. The local wines can be robust, but worth trying out the various brands.
Restaurants are also abundant, serving a fairly wide range of dishes including pasta, seafood, meat and salads. Many have tables al fresco and can get quite busy during August nights. Some notable ones are the Arzella and Kartell in Marsalforn, in Xlendi try the Moby Dick, and the Oleander or Gesther in Xaghra, for a truly authentic local meal and restaurant setting. Allow about 20€ per person, including wine. For the occasional snack attack, most local bars serve the ubiquitous 'Pastizzi', flaky pastry parcels filled with ricotta cheese or peas and 'Hobz biz-zejt' a small, freshly baked bap with tomatoes, olives and capers. The local beers, Cisk and Hop Leaf should keep drinkers happy - both are of quite good quality and cheap to buy.
Sun, Sea, Dinner and Disco!
Night Life / Clubs / Discos Ah - you ask. Is it all sun, sea, history, old things? (as if that's all bad) Well, the place does go back a bit (take note Pyramid builders!!). However.. the local night life is state of the art - sound / lighting systems and music to match that would make London, Rome, Berlin or New York blush!
Great Clubs
Meet Europe on the dance floor! Jive 'til dawn - which is about the time when the fishermen head off for the catch of the day! You could also nip over to Malta for a night out. They close just in time for the first ferry back to Gozo!
Then again, you could sit in front of the telly and watch a good DVD! Up to you!
The Citadel, Rabat (Victoria)
Temples
Ggantija Prehistoric Temples, a group of two very important temples dating around 3600 and 2400 BC, which makes them older than the Pyramids in Eygpt.
Alabaster Cave. In the small town of Xaghra are two underground caves with strange alabaster forms of stalactites and stalagmites. These are popularly known as Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Grotto.
Calypso's Cave This is one of the most inspiring views in Malta and Gozo, overlooks the red sands of Ramla Bay and situated in the cliff face some distance from Xaghra.
The Basilica of Ta' Pinu. A 19th century building which is the centre of many pilgrimages.
Xewkija
Xewkija, a small town with an imposing church ingeniously built around the old parish church of St. John the Baptist (not to mention Conrad Retreat!).
The Inland Sea and Azure Window, a secluded pebbly bathing pool with crystal clear water and sheer cliffs hanging over it can be found at Dwejra, in the southwest of Gozo.
