15 Most Fascinating Places To Visit in Gozo Malta
Roaring and fierce, the sea knows no boundaries. Or does it? In the heart of the Mediterranean, thereâs a sea whispering its secrets, forever within the confines of tall, dramatic cliffs. This is just one of all the fascinating places to visit in Gozo Malta. And if this tiny island of wonders isnât on your bucket list yet, it sure will be after you finish watching this video. The second-largest inhabited island in the Maltese Archipelago, Gozo feels like Maltaâs charming little sister, one that hasnât been scathed by mass tourism – yet. In Gozo, youâll be impressed by the slow island life, gorgeous rural landscapes and authentic ambience. We could go so far as to say that Gozo boasts the most beautiful places to visit in the entire country. This is why you should spend at least three to four full days in Gozo, rather than see it on a day trip from Malta Island. The best way to get around Gozo is by car. A road trip in Gozo will allow you to drive through scenery of utter beauty, reach even the most secluded locations and spend as much or as little time as you want in each destination. If you rent a car in Malta, you can get to Gozo by ferry. The Gozo Channel ferries operate 24 hours a day, subject to weather conditions. The crossing between the port of Cirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr in Gozo takes about 25 minutes. Oh, by the way, Maltese words and names are next to impossible to pronounce. So, brace yourselves for many instances of mispronunciation throughout this video. Gozo has a rich history that goes back many millennia. The island has been inhabited sinceÂ
5000 BC. The megalithic complex of the Ggantija Temples was built between 3600 and 3200 BC. Itâs the second-oldest religious structure in the world. This UNESCO-listed site predates even the Pyramids of Egypt. Walking around one of the worldâs oldest free-standing constructions is a unique experience. At the same time the on-site Visitorâs Centre offers valuable insight into what life must have been like in the Neolithic Period. Since weâre on the subject of history, one of the best places to visit in Gozo is the islandâs imposing Citadel. The area where Gozoâs Citadel now stands was inhabited since the Bronze Age. In the Middle Ages, the ancient acropolis was turned into a castle. From then onwards, locals were required to spend the night within the walls of the castle for protection. Nowadays, Gozoâs Citadel is a fantastic place to stroll around with its narrow alleys and spectacular ramparts. While there, you can also step inside an old prison or walk along the former moat, now turned into a relaxing park. The citadel dominates quaint Victoria, the largest town in Gozo. Named after the British Queen Victoria, itâs the capital of Gozo Island. Itâs worth wandering around its charming squares, like the vibrant Independence Square or the picturesque small square of St. Georgeâs Basilica. Victoria is also one of the best places to use as a base for your trip to Gozo. Another great place to stay is Nadur, Gozoâs second-largest town. Not only is Nadur a lovely little town, but itâs also a mere 10-minute drive from the stunning beach of Hondoq ir-Rummien if youâre in the mood for a touch of sea breeze. Nadur is known for two things: its unique Carnival and vintage bakeries. Although we havenât experienced the Carnival celebrations, we can certainly vouch for the bakeries. They are the best places to try one of Gozoâs staples: Gozitan Ftira, the islandâs take on pizza. Once you step inside one of Nadurâs traditional bakeries, youâll be mesmerised by the aroma of freshly baked ftira. So much so that you probably wonât be able to wait until you reach your hotel to taste it. But Gozo stands out mainly for its natural beauty, so letâs leave the islandâs architectural marvels and worldly pleasures aside for a bit and focus on its scenery. One of the most iconic places to visit in Gozo is Mixta Cave. Although this natural cave is very popular with visitors, it manages to offer moments of serenity. And so does the scenic path that leads to the cave. Sunset is a fantastic time to be at Mixta Cave and watch the sun dye Ramla Bay in orange and golden hues. Ramla Bay itself is also worth your time with its endless stretches of red sand and crystal-clear waters. Another great place to watch the sunset in Gozo is Xlendi Bay, a lively seaside destination with a quaint beach, pleasant walks with ravishing views and a small fjord. By the way, if you like fjords, in just 15 minutes by car from Xlendi, you can also visit the tiny sheltered bay of Mgarr ix-Xini, which was used as a hideout by the knights of Saint John during the Great Siege of Malta. Back to Xlendi Bay, one of the best things to do is to walk the scenic path to Xlendi Tower, one of many medieval watchtowers that dot the Maltese Islands. If you have time and youâre up for a magnificent hike, you can continue walking until you reach the dazzling Sanap Cliffs. Like an ode to Gozoâs natural beauty, Sanap Cliffs will amaze you at every turn as you walk along the cliffâs edge towards the viewpoint, hearing nothing but the wavescrashing on the rugged rocks. Enjoying this walk at sunset is one of our fondest memories from Gozo and we canât recommend it enough. If the spectacle of Gozoâs cliffs fascinates you, another mandatory stop is Taâ Cenc cliffs. These are the islandâs tallest cliffs, offering breathtaking views you wonât easily forget. Near the viewpoint, you can see ancient cart ruts, a complex network of tracks carved in the rock. On Malta Island, there are several locations to spot these, but in Gozo, the best place to have a look at these ancient tracks is the area around Taâ Cenc Cliffs. But letâs go back to other human-made constructions that you canât miss while in Gozo. One of the emblems of Gozo, Taâ Pinu is a huge basilica surrounded by dreamy countryside. Where the imposing basilica now stands, there used to be a small chapel with a legendary story to tell. In 1883, Karmni Grima, a local peasant, was walking past the chapel when she heard a voice calling her to step inside. Although startled, she did and, then, the Virgin Mary spoke to her. A series of other miracles followed. Soon, the small chapel became popular with pilgrims and a larger church had to be built to accommodate the crowds. The construction of the basilica as we know it today began in 1920. Within its walls, you can still see the remains of the old chapel. After admiring the basilicaâs impressive interior and idyllic surroundings, you can walk up Ghammar Hill, just across the street from the church. Adorned by a series of marble sculptures representing the Stations of the Cross, this is Gozoâs Way of The Cross. The uphill path is quite steep but the marvellous views from the top will reward you. A unique relic that narrates Gozoâs rural past in the most eloquent way is Taâ Kola Windmill, one of the few surviving windmills that date back to the era when the Knights of Saint John ruled the Maltese Islands. Back in the day, the villagers would head to the windmill on a windy day to grind grain into flour to make bread. Nowadays, the windmill houses an insightful museum that offers a glimpse into the way of life 300 years ago. When talking about exciting human-made constructions, we canât possibly skip one of our favourite among them: Gozoâs oldest lighthouse. Built in the 19th century by the British, the lighthouse is still active. Although it isnât open to the public, the rocky plateau on which it is built offers a splendid panorama of Gozo. From the engineering maritime achievement that is the lighthouse, the next place we recommend visiting is a testament to the prowess of local fishermen. At this beautiful bay, the brightly coloured doors carved in the limestone rock were shelters for fishermen to protect their boats during storms. These boathouses provide the perfect setting for your most memorable photos. On the north coast of Gozo, near Marsalforn Bay, there is a three-kilometre stretch of photogenic salt pans. This is one of the most idyllic landscapes youâll see in Gozo, but itâs not just that. In this area, sea salt has been produced in the traditional way for over three centuries and it still is. Itâs then stored in caves carved in the limestone rock along the coast. You can buy Gozitan salt at local shops or even by the roadside. This way, youâll take a piece of the islandâs culture back home with you, but also help preserve a timeless craft. Youâre not allowed to step on the salt pans, but you can admire them from the road. As you walk, youâll also stumble upon a plaque commemorating Nicky Farrugiaâs swimming record in 1985, when he became the first person to swim from Sicily to Gozo in a little over than 30 hours. Remember the tranquil sea you saw at the very beginning of this video? The Inland Sea is one of Gozoâs most striking natural wonders, probably formed after the ceiling of a massive cave collapsed. This incredibly beautiful natural pool flows into the open sea via a narrow tunnel. If the weather allows it, you can cross this tunnel on a boat tour. The Inland Sea is the highlight of the extended area known as Dwejra. However, it hasnât always been like that. The areaâs indisputable highlight used to be the famous Azure Window. This iconic natural arch used to attract tourists who flocked to see this wonder of nature. Sadly, the Azure Window collapsed during a fierce storm in 2017. Yet, this area still has a lot in store for you. For diving lovers, the Blue Hole is a popular spot, while walking enthusiasts will enjoy the short walk to Dwejra Tower and the jaw-dropping sea views it offers. The Azure Window may have collapsed but thereâs another natural window that you can still check out on Gozoâs northwestern coast this time. You can go near this Window via a steep staircase near the parking lot. However, the window isnât the only reason to visit this part of Gozo. If youâre into hiking, a 20-minute walk from the plateau near the Window will bring you to the so-called Mushroom Rock. Youâll walk along the coast, catching epic views as you find yourselves surrounded by a beyond-words majestic lunar landscape. Technically, this isnât one of the best places to visit in Gozo, but itâs near Gozo. Located on the tiny island of Comino, the famous Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited places in the entire country. From crystal clear turquoise waters to historical buildings, Comino is the perferct day trip from Gozo. Watch our dedicated Comino and Blue Lagoon video to learn how to get there, when to visit and what to see. Thank you for joining us on this short trip around Gozo, one of the last islands in the Mediterranean Sea that still remains untouched by mass tourism. With all the wonders that await you there, we hope itâs now clear why you should visit Gozo for more than a day trip. For more details about how to reach these amazing places to visit in Gozo Malta, read the thorough Gozo guide weâve published on our website. You can find the link in the description below, along with other useful links to plan the perfect trip to Gozo. If you enjoyed this video, please like it, leave a comment or share it with anyone you know looking for a tranquil Mediterranean island for their next vacation. Donât forget to subscribe to ourÂ
YouTube channel. See you next time!
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Read our thorough Gozo Travel guide here: https://www.itsalltriptome.com/what-to-do-in-gozo-malta/
0:00 Intro
2:20 Ggantija Temples
3:13 Citadel & Victoria
4:37 Nadur
5:48 Mixta Cave & Ramla Bay
6:43 Xlendi Bay
7:42 Sanap Cliffs
8:10 TaâCenc Cliffs
8:48 TaâPinu Basilica
10:25 TaâKola Windmill
11:02 TaâGurdan Lighthouse
11:30 Dahlet Qorrot
12:00 Xwejni Salt Pans
13:08 Inland Sea & Dwejra
14:29 Wied Il-Mielah & Mushroom Rock
15:12 Blue Lagoon & Comino
Malta needs no special introduction, but how much do you know about Gozo, the second-largest inhabited island in the Maltese archipelago?
Blessed with spectacular natural landscapes and amazing historic sites, Gozo is one of the few Mediterranean islands that remain unscathed by mass tourism.
Thanks to the islandâs compact size, Gozo is very easy to explore and driving is the best way to get to even the most secluded locations.
But donât let Gozoâs small size fool you; thereâs a lot to keep you happy and busy for days, so, please donât visit Gozo on a day trip from Malta Island, but plan a multi-day vacation there instead.
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*** In this video, the following Wikimedia Commons images were used:
Azure Window (Attribution: Myriam Thyes, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons: https://tinyurl.com/426c4r46)
Azure Window (Attribution: Wolljuergen at German Wikipedia, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons: https://tinyurl.com/583ajdn5)