Top 10 Things to do in Gozo, Malta for a Day Trip

Gozo Island in Malta is smaller, greener and more rural than its better known sister island. It’s a peaceful place that is thought to be the inspiration for the legendary Calypso’s Isle from Homer’s The Odyssey.

With rugged countryside, stunning coasts, delicious food, and some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites, adding a Gozo trip to your bucket list is an absolute must do. Things move slowly in this relaxed fishing community, so be sure to budget plenty of time to experience all of the endless things to do in Gozo.

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Scuba Diving

No Gozo itinerary would be complete without trying one of the many local dive spots. With crystal clear water, warm temperatures in the summer, and fascinating topography, Gozo has some of the best scuba diving in Europe.

When diving in Gozo, you have the opportunity to see the famous Blue Hole, amazing caverns, rock formations, and wrecks. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, the seas of Gozo have something for everyone.

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Hit the Beach

Gozo beaches are stunning and numerous. Ramla Bay is an unspoiled paradise made up of red sand, pristine waters and thick dunes. Since it is virtually undeveloped, it’s the perfect beach to relax, unwind, and soak up the sun.

Another must-see beach is San Blas Bay, which is a bit tricky to get to, but this stunning, secluded beach is well worth the adventurous trek.

Ta Kola windmill
Bethlehem Park
Parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto

Join a Wine Tasting at Ta’ Mena Estate

There isn’t much better than tasting fresh, local wine while overlooking the dazzling Gozitan countryside. Ta’ Mena Estate offers a light lunch with fresh, local ingredients with your wine tasting, and it is the perfect place to really learn about the local environment and the culture of farming and food in Gozo.

Explore Victoria

Victoria is Gozo’s city center, and is one of the best places in Gozo for shopping, cafe hopping, city sightseeing, and nightlife. The city is made up of small, winding alleys and pathways so bring a camera and expect to get a little lost once, twice, or three times.

Visit the Ggantija Megalithic Temples

Translating in English as the “Giants’ Tower” the Ggantija temples are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Ggantija temples are older than the Egyptian pyramids, and are believed to be a place of worship for giants. These temple ruins are an essential part of Gozo sightseeing, so get there early to avoid the crowds.

Check out the Xwejni Salt Pans

If you’ve ever wanted to learn about how exactly salt is extracted from the sea to reach our kitchens, you’ll finally have the opportunity on your Gozo trip. The salt pans are over 300 years old, and they’re a magnificent place to take pictures. Don’t forget to buy yourself a bag of sea salt before you leave.

Explore Caves

One of the ultimate things to see in Gozo is Calypso’s Cave. Mentioned in Homer’s The Odyssey, it’s the most known cave on the island. The area too offers a great view, which is good since the cave itself is no longer open to the public.

What you can do instead is to head over to Tal Mixta Cave for epic exploration and brilliant views of Ramla Bay. Other must see caves in Gozo are Ninu’s Cave and Xerri’s Grotto.

Saint Anthony of Padua
Xaghra

Visit Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Basilica

Located on the edge of a steep seaside cliff, the basilica provides jaw dropping views and is the most spectacular church on the island. There are over a dozen marble statues inside the church which add to the sense of wonder of this place. Admission is free, but be sure to dress respectfully.

Wander Around Popeye’s Village in Mellieha

The village of Mellieha sits at the bottom of towering cliffs overlooking crystal clear waters. It’s a unique place to explore on Gozo island . Besides its fairy tale like buildings, Mellieha also has a water adventure park, complete with floating trampolines and water obstacle courses.

Visit the Citadel

The Citadel is the geographical heart of Gozo. It’s brimming with history from the Turkish invasion in the 1550s to World War II, when it was used as bunkers. Besides a deep insight into Gozo’s past, the Citadel offers beautiful 360 views of the island making it one of the top things to see in Gozo.

Mgarr
Fort Chambrai (no access)

When to Visit Gozo

A trip to Gozo is an essential part of any Malta holiday. Gozo doesn’t have extreme temperatures on either end of the spectrum, so it an excellent destination to visit any time of year.

Gozo is warmest in the summer months, so if you’re looking for uninterrupted sunshine and toasty beach weather, June through August is the best time to go.

But that’s also high season as the summer holidays are happening. If you want to avoid the main crowds, visit in early summer or autumn to get more Gozo attractions with less visitors.

If hiking and walking are more your speed, consider visiting in November or December for more comfortable temperatures, cheaper prices, and smaller crowds. No matter when you go, holidays in Gozo are without a doubt a life changing experience.

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