Experience the best of Gozo with this line-up of things to eat, do & see in a day!
As easy as 1, 2, 3... and 4
One place to GO: Gozo
Don't make the mistake of thinking that Gozo is just a smaller version of Malta. This little island, covering barely sixty-seven square kilometres, is unique in its own ways. And despite its tiny dimensions, Gozo is big on attractions. So if your time is short, how do you know you've made the most of it? Here's a quick guide to the things to you absolutely must EAT, DO & SEE in Gozo.
Two things to EAT
Gbejniet
These small round cheeses are traditionally made from sheep's milk. However, they are also produced from goat's milk. While they are also made in Malta, many will agree that the ones from Gozo are 'the best'! They come in many varieties: fresh, dried, pickled, white or peppered.
Gozitan ftira
This has really nothing to do with the Maltese ftira, which is merely a type of flat bread. The Gozitan ftira is a far more elaborate invention and a unique delicacy that is found nowhere else in the world, not even in Malta! Here, a bread base is covered with a topping of sliced potatoes, onions, fresh tomatoes and other Mediterranean ingredients such as olives, capers and tuna, and cooked like a pizza in a wood oven. An absolute must-have: get one from Maxokk or Mekrem bakeries in Nadur.
Three things to DO
Hiking
Gozo, unlike Malta, is blessed with a huge amount of unspoilt countryside. The rocky coast, green valleys and rolling hills, speckled with caves, are equally marvellous. It is really worth your while taking your walking shoes and trekking along the coast or even between the villages; the things you stumble upon will be totally worth it.
Quad biking
A means of getting around that is rather popular in Gozo is quad biking. You can go on a quad bike tour or rent a quad bike to explore a particular area of the island. The advantage of quad bikes is that they can travel on rough terrain and you can cover larger distances of countryside in a shorter amount of time. Plus it's really exhilarating and good fun!
Diving
Tiny as it is, Gozo is one of the top diving destinations in the world. It features extraordinary topography including reefs and underwater caves as well as a teeming marine life and a number of dive wrecks. Diving schools are professional and reliable and there are many. They offer open water certification as well as try dives...you really must try a dive!
Four things to SEE
The Citadel
The old city has many museums and attractions within its medieval walls. The Gozo Cathedral, the Cathedral Museum, the Old Prison, the Museum of Archaeology and the Folklore Museum within Gran Castello Historic House are closely located. You can also see the Old Gunpowder Magazine, the Battery, the Grain Silos, the World War II Shelters and the Chapel of St Joseph. An absolute must-do is a walk along the bastions to admire the amazing views of the whole island!
Dwejra
Famous for the Azure Window which has now collapsed, the area of Dwejra is nonetheless remarkable and definitely worth a visit. Its geology is marked by several sinkholes that have resulted in the Inland Sea, the Blue Hole and Fungus Rock. The Inland Sea tunnel and the Blue Hole are among Gozo's top diving locations. This is also a wonderful place to enjoy a spectacular sunset.
Marsalforn to Wied il-Mielah
The window at Wied il-Mielah was lost to the limelight of the Azure Window. With the latter gone and the area no longer being used for waste disposal, Wied il-Mielah is gaining the credit it deserves as a rather extraordinary location. The valley road in itself is rather awe-inspiring. Heading east along the northern coast, another remarkable valley is Wied il-Ghasri as it snakes towards the sea. In addition, the ancient Ta' Xwejni Salt Pans, still in use today, lie along the spectacular road leading to Marsalforn, a popular summer resort.
Ggantija & the other Xaghra attractions
Can't talk about Gozo and not mention that it is home to one of the most ancient buildings in the world! At 5,500 years old, Ggantija, a megalithic temple, is the second oldest man-made structure in the world after Gobekli Tepe in Turkey. In the area of Xaghra, you can also visit the restored Ta' Kola Windmill depicting the miller's old home and the Pomzkizillious Museum of Toys. Underground, Ninu's Caves and Xerri's Grotto display extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites, while the legendary Calypso's Cave offers amazing views of the orange sands of Ramla Bay.
That could be quite enough for a day in Gozo and certainly covers some of the island's most iconic attractions!