Gozo is somewhere nearly all our students want to see at some point in the year, and honestly it is a must while you are staying with us. Here is why it is worth the trip:
It is the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago, sitting to the northwest of Malta with the island of Comino in between. From the ferry you get a lovely view of Comino’s Blue Lagoon. In winter and spring especially, Gozo turns into the greenest island in the archipelago, and it stays a favourite with tourists and locals alike.
Gozo is one of the best places to dive anywhere in the Mediterranean, and the chance to be in nature and swim in clear water is reason enough to go. That said, there is plenty more to see on the island:
What you need to visit in Gozo
Start with the capital, Victoria. From there you can wander up to the ancient Citadella. Entry to the church and its grounds is free, and you could easily lose a few hours here: the museum, the shops, the narrow alleys around the church, and best of all the view stretching across the whole of Gozo. Victoria is full of welcoming restaurants, little shops and old architecture, and many of the surrounding villages and towns are beautifully kept too.
Head over to the remains of the Azure Window on Gozo’s west coast. The rocks of this “window” collapsed into the sea in 2017 through erosion and natural wear, but the spot is still well worth seeing. You get a wide view of the coastal cliffs in both directions and can walk out onto the big platform, one of the most scenic places on the island for a photo. You can still make out the Azure Window, and plenty of diving tours head out to explore what fell beneath the water.
A boat trip around the cliffs of Gozo is always a good idea. From the water you get the best sense of the unusual cliffs and rock formations. Take in Dwejra Bay, where it is easy to do a short boat trip around the caves and see the remains of the Azure Window from below.
The churches in Gozo are worth seeking out too. Almost every small village has one of these grand, lovingly looked after old churches. A few to look for:
- The Basilika Saint John Baptist in Xewkija
- Parish Church in Nadur
- St. Joseph’s Parish Church in Qala
- Church of the Madonna of Lourdes in Mgarr
Each one is different, so go and find them for yourself. You will see that every single church has something of its own.
Another spot worth your time is the village of Marsalforn and its bay, home to the salt pans where salt has been harvested for over 350 years.
One last suggestion: make time for one of the beautiful beaches around Gozo. A few to try:
- Ramla Bay: a sandy beach and one of the most popular on Gozo
- Xlendi Bay: a large rocky beach with plenty of platforms and spots to get into the water
- Hondoq ir-Rummien: another rocky bay, and great for snorkelling
- Mgarr Ix-Xini: good for snorkelling and clambering over the rocks
Maltalingua’s trips to Gozo
We run trips to Gozo every couple of weeks, because showing our students this beautiful sister island matters to us.
The day starts in the morning with a bus to the ferry, and the crossing to the harbour in Gozo takes just under half an hour. Our tour guide Neville meets us there to get things going. From there a bus takes us round various stops. First is Dwejra Bay, where you can explore Gozo by boat. Next we head to the capital, Victoria, beginning with a guided walk around the centre and finishing with free time to look around on your own. After that the trip moves on to Xlendi Bay, one of Gozo’s lovely beaches, where you can swim in the sea, explore the rocks around the bay, or sit at one of the restaurants right on the front. Once the afternoon there is over, the school’s private transport brings us back to the ferry.
