Although Gozo is not a famous beach destination, even here practically every lover of swimming in the sea and sunbathing on the beaches will find something to their liking. The beaches at Gozo are different, more natural with less tourist facilities. Most of them have only small snack stalls and practically all of them are outside the city center in the countryside. On the larger ones you can always rent a deck chair with a parasol with prices around 10 EUR for a set of 2 deck chairs. Between rocky or sandy beaches along the entire island, you can choose the one that will suit you sunbathe and relax.
Local beach is surrounded by high cliffs and majestic views. Xlendi Bay is ideal for small children because the beach is shallow, but not only them! You can go snorkel near the cliffs, dive or go side viewing. In addition to a small sandy beach, Xlendi Bay has several access points made of flat rocks on the left side of the bay. Although Xlendi Bay is very popular due to its beauty, it is still quite undeveloped. In addition to several restaurants and prefabricated houses, it has a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, especially in the winter months. You can take several pictures, enjoy a day at the beach, have lunch right on the shore and then go for a swim.
is the largest and most beautiful sandy beach in Gozo thanks to its red sand. Some people even consider it’s the best beach in Malta! No need to say it’s quite crowded during summer. It’s very easy to get there, you can park next to the beach on the free parking. In addition, water’s depth is very gradual and it’s guarded, making it the perfect beach if you have children. The beach also has various amenities: a restaurant, a coffe shop, ice-cream vendors and public bathrooms. You can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas. And just above Ramla bay you can explore one of the biggest cave at Gozo.
Wied II Gashri,a small cove in between cliffs.
On theNorth-Western part of Gozo is Dwejra, home of the Azure Window. Yes, I know, it -unfortunately- collapsed in 2017, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing left to see there!
Here is a list of other natural wonders to see in the area:
Gozo and Malta are proud of their historical and rich cultural opportunities. Neolithic temples are a must see! And this is just the beginning of a magnificent historical heritage. Visit museums, walk through fortified cities and discover an underground melody. A large number of cultural events take place on Gozo throughout the year. It is definitely worth mentioning the five-day carnival in February or March, followed by the spring festival of classical music Gaulitana. From the end of May to the middle of September, there are abundant village festivities, traditionally called festa. The towns hold annual festivities in honor of their patrons, the buildings are richly decorated, the bands march through the streets and everyone has a great time. In September you can enjoy the Qala International Folk Festival, and in October you can visit the Mediterranea Festival, which will introduce you to the history and tradition of Gozo.
The Citadella is for sure the main attraction in Victoria. This fortified city was recently fully renovated, and offers a great 360° view over the surrounding countryside, villages, the sea and up to Malta. The view from the ramparts is really worth it! There is no entrance fee to the Citadella, and you’ll be able to enjoy its streets freely. You can also visit the baroque Cathedral of the Assumption for a small fee. After visiting the Citadella, stop by Independence Square to wander through the daily market, and go toSt. George’s Basilica. As the outside is entirely covered by marble, it was nicknamed the Marble Basilica. The inside is also worth a look, with some wonderful paintings on the ceiling.
Not far from Dwejra bay, you can find another must see attraction in Gozo: Ta’Pinu Basilica. There’s no place like it! This impressive construction is located in the middle of nowhere, lost in an ocean of hills with the sea in background. The esplanade with its mosaic and statutes combined with the landscape around is perfect for a great souvenir photo! The basilica is also an important pilgrimage site for Maltese people. It all started in 1883, when a woman from the village heard the voice of the Virgin Mary coming from what was then just a chapel. Several miracles followed, so the villagers decided to build a bigger church to honor the Virgin Mary. Ta’Pinu Basilica was completed in 1931. Both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI came there to pray. You can also see the original chapel, located just behind the basilica. Ta’Pinu Basilica is a pure architectural masterpiece. The marble canopy, mosaics, stained-glass windows and stunning Maltese stone sculptures are definitely worth a look. In addition to the visit of this architectural masterpiece, you can enjoy a short walk with a marked path in front of the basilica. It features numerous statutes along the way symbolizing the Stations of the Cross.
The national Maltese dish is rabbit in many ways. The most traditional is the stewed rabbit in wine with potatoes and vegetables, but it is often served with pasta. You can often find this dish under the local name "Stuffat tal-fenek". Another very common dish in Malta is fresh seafood, which you will find in most of the restaurants. Common fishes are tuna, swordfish, perch. The most popular local fish is lampuki (elsewhere known as Acanthocybium or Dorada).
Other traditional Maltese dishes include:
Aljotta - fish soup with garlic
Bragioli - beef roulade in wine stuffed with capers, olives and egg or other ingredients
Stuffat tal-females - The national dish of Malta, a rabbit stewed in wine with potatoes and vegetables
Ftira - stuffed Maltese bread
Lampuki - Maltese fish specialty
Pastizzi - puff pastry bags with ricotta or other fillings
Ravjul - ravioli pasta with ricotta
Ross-il-forn - Baked dish of rice, eggs, minced meat and onions
The traditional Maltese side dish is local bread, which is considered one of the best breads in the world.
If sunbathing is not your cup of coffee and you would prefer something more adventurous, this will excite you. The crystal clear water in Malta offers endless possibilities when it comes to water sports. Choose your own path and walk through the local countryside, let the paths along the coast help you with an unforgettable view of the beautiful sunset. The uneven terrain in Malta is like made for mountain bikes or quad biking or buggy rides. Cycling is very popular in Gozo, not only among tourists but also among locals. The best time for cycling is from October to May, when there are pleasant temperatures and there is little traffic on the roads. As part of the SIBIT program under the auspices of the European Union, a route for cyclists was created in Gozo. This route is 42 kilometers long, an ordinary cyclist can cover it in about 3 hours without stops.
