If you’re like us, you may not have realized that the island nation of Malta is really an archipelago, with three of the islands – Malta, Gozo as well as Comino – being inhabited. Malta is the largest as well as many established of the three, while Comino only has one little hotel on the entire island.
Gozo isn’t physically found in the middle of the island chain, however in terms of development, it provides the ideal middle ground between busy Malta, as well as excessively peaceful Comino. Gozo has enough amenities as well as activities to keep you hectic for the weekend, while still providing lots of peace as well as quiet.
A peaceful farmland area in Gozo – the walking right here is great!
From our house in the prominent Sliema area of Malta, we boarded regional bus #222 to the Cirkewwa ferry terminal at the extremely northern reaches of Malta Island. After about an hour as well as a half, we shown up at the ferry as well as eagerly waited in line to board the boat.
The ferries run rather frequently, as well as it was just a quick 25 minute journey on a contemporary (and well-maintained) ferry-boat, before reaching the town of Mgarr in Gozo. It seemed unusual to board the boat for “free”, however the method it works is that you pay on the method back from Gozo.
Arriving at the town of Mgarr in Gozo through ferry
So, in essence, if you wished to travel from Malta as well as never leave Gozo by ferry, it would be free! If this doesn’t noise all that appealing, you’ll have to shell out €4.65 ($5.25).
Once on Gozo, there are various methods to get around the island. during our three night stay, we travelled by foot, bicycle, kayak as well as bus!
First up was the bus, which dropped us off at the new Quaint shop hotel in Xewkija (rooms from €70 / $79), in the village of Xewkija (pronounced: shoo-key-ya). With a population of just 3,300 people, this is really the 4th largest village on the island of Gozo.
Our gorgeous space at the Quaint shop hotel – what a view from our balcony!
Our hotel was found in the primary square of the peaceful village, which is dominated by the Church of Saint John The Baptist, or, The Rotunda. The Maltese people are predominantly Roman Catholic, as well as actually, there are over 350 churches on the islands of Malta as well as Gozo!
Another thing to note about Malta is that many of the buildings as well as houses are made of Maltese Limestone, either globerigina (which is flaky as well as soft), or coralline (which is firmer as well as utilized for essential structures).
Practically every bit of design in Malta is the exact same sandstone colour, as well as the Rotunda was no exception.
The spectacular Rotunda of Xewkija in Gozo
We had shown up in the early afternoon as well as after inspecting out our room, we were anxious to get out as well as explore.
The owner of On two Wheels met us at our hotel as well as offered us with helmets, locks as well as of course, the mountain bikes! This business does shipment as well as pick-up of the bikes, which was ideal for us as we weren’t staying in a prominent traveler town.
The capital city of Gozo is Victoria, as well as in the heart of the city is the Citadel, which has been the center of activity because the Neolithic ages (that’s 10,200 BC – 2,000BC!), however it was very first fortified during the Bronze Age (1500 BC).
We understood we wished to go to the Citadel very first thing, so we set off on a (somewhat strenuous) bike ride.
We’re prepared to get some exercise!
If I’m being honest, the reason the journey was a bit strenuous wasn’t since of the terrain, it was since we had been eating our method with Italy, as well as discovered ourselves not doing much exercise in the Balkans!
Oh ya, we were out of shape, as well as were looking ahead to all of the activities we had organized on Gozo.
Cycling with the peaceful backstreets of Victoria
We cycled with narrow, limestone coloured lanes. We passed by regional guy playing bocci ball, as well as made our method with flat farmland.
A extremely major game of bocci ball!
We took a break to not only catch our breath, however to have a look at the map, when out of nowhere, a short, elderly lady opened her door as well as started speaking to us in Maltese (Gozitans speak Maltese, however with a different accent).
We certainly didn’t speak the exact same language as her, however with some hand gestures as well as smiles, she got the point across – we were being offered some water to drink on that extremely hot day. The kind lady topped up our water bottles, as well as provided us a wave goodbye.
This type of encounter with the people isn’t unheard of in Gozo. all over we went, the residents were waving as well as shouting “hello” as we whizzed by on our bikes. We discovered that the people in client service on the island were welcoming as well as warm as well – at the restaurants, shops, trip companies as well as at our hotel.
A friendly lady making conventional lace bracelets – she invited us over for a look
As soon as we shown up in Victoria, we might see the Citadel, which sat high on a hill overlooking the surrounding city. Entering the Citadel walls, we were greeted by the Baroque-styled Cathedral of the Assumption, with its numerous steps leading to the entrance.
The Cathedral of The assumption – note everybody trying to hide out in the shade, it was so hot outside
Although the Cathedral of the assumption was remarkable, the highlight of the Citadel for us was walking along the towering fort walls. Unfortunately, we didn’t time our go to all that well, as well as discovered ourselves in the burning warm of the day, without any trees in site (make sure to bring great deals of sunscreen as well as wear a hat when visiting).
View from the Citadel walls – great deals of undeveloped areas in Gozo
We needed shade, as well as fast.
Luckily, we had checked out about a conventional Gozitan Restaurant called Ta’ Rikardu. set in a beautiful limestone building, the owner right here serves up food as well as red wine sourced directly from his farm as well as vineyard!
Make sure to sample the conventional cheese of Gozo, Ġbejniet, which Rikardu makes himself, after hand-milking his sheep as well as goats! Also, don’t miss the goat cheese stuffed ravioli as well as of course, the Maltese bread. This is the supreme lunch spot, as well as it provided us the break we needed from the hot afternoon sun.
Note: There’s likewise Goat meat at Ta’ Rikardu, however we Goats don’t condone cannibalism so we didn’t purchase it ?
Delicious ravioli at Ta’Rikardu restaurant
With full bellies, we explored much more areas outside of the Citadel itself, including the narrow alleyways with conventional balconies – one of which was stated to be the very first ever balcony developed in that style in Gozo!
We browsed with the street markets, before popping in to the St. George’s Basilica, which was developed between 1672 as well as 1678, from (you guessed it) limestone material.
When we very first stepped with the doors, I believe our jaws actually dropped. The interior was exquisite with colourful frescos, stained glass windows, as well as gold as well as marble stucco. There are 11 side chapels inside the Basilica, in addition to a high altar, as well as a wooden statue of the customer saint, St. George.
Inside the beautiful St. George Basilica
After a day of cycling around Victoria, we chose to make our method back to Xewkija. Our very first day on Gozo Island was fantastic, however it only got better. The complying with days we had a 10km hike planned, as well as 14kms of kayaking!
Stay tuned to hear much more about our adventures on Gozo. To see all of our videos from our time spent in Malta, click here!
Goat notes for Travellers:
If you have a wise phone, utilize the Google Maps app to discover bus routes as well as routines around the islands. Or, inspect on the internet to see the bus routine for Malta as well as Gozo. Bus times can be off by 15 minutes or so, however Google Maps will still be your finest buddy in Malta!
The ferry boats have bathrooms as well as a restaurant. during the summertime months, show up early, as the boats can fill up quick – they run every 45 minutes. Click right here for the ferry schedule.
Don’t bother searching for where to pay for the ferry on the method to Gozo. You only pay for the return journey!
At the ferry terminal in Mgarr, there are published taxi rates, inspect the listing before agreeing on a price! (Price listing imagined below)
Bicycle rentals from On two Wheels costs: 1 day only €12.50, 2 to 3 days €8.00 / day,
4 Days as well as up €7.00 / day.
1 Bus ticket costs €1.50 as well as is valid for 100 minutes. So, you can get all the method to your hotel in Gozo on the exact same bus ticket that you bought in Malta.
If you want to have a fancy, however cost effective dinner in Gozo, get the Malta discount rate Card as well as head to country Terrace restaurant in Mgarr, near where the ferries land. This location has a spectacular view as well as the very best food in Malta, plus you get 50% off meals with the card.
Whenever walking or cycling in Gozo as well as Malta, make sure you bring lots of water, sunscreen as well as a hat as the semi-arid warm is a genuine killer.
Be sure to go behind the Citadel for fantastic views of the Gozo countryside.
You can cycle numerous of The fantastic Walks of Gozo. To discover the routes, Click right here as well as utilize the Google Maps app to make sure you’re going the best way.
There is only one genuine hostel in Gozo, but Click right here to find the most affordable spaces on Hostel World
Like this article? Pin it!
Disclaimer:Goats On The road is an Amazon partner as well as likewise an affiliate for some other retailers. This implies we make commissions if you click links on our blog as well as purchase from those retailers.