Malta Gozo Tours

Gozo is the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, a short ferry ride from Malta's main island but noticeably quieter and greener, with a landscape of terraced fields, low hills and a coastline cut with bays and inlets. The Gozo Channel ferry from Cirkewwa takes about 25 minutes to reach Mgarr Harbour, making it possible to visit as a day trip, though the island rewards a longer stay. Other itineraries around the archipelago are listed under Malta tours.

These tours tend to move at a slower pace than those on Malta itself, built around walking, cycling and boat trips rather than dense sightseeing schedules. The island's small size, roughly 14 kilometers at its widest, means most of its landmarks sit within a short drive of each other, from the fortified capital to the salt pans along the northern coast.

The Citadel of Victoria

The Citadel sits atop a hill in Victoria, Gozo's capital, and traces its fortifications back to the medieval period, with the current bastions largely dating from Knights-era rebuilding in the 17th century. Inside the walls, a cathedral and several small museums occupy the citadel's narrow streets, and the ramparts offer views across most of the island on a clear day.

Ggantija Temples

Near the town of Xaghra, the Ggantija Temples form a pair of megalithic structures dated to around 3600 to 3200 BC, making them among the oldest free-standing stone monuments in the world. UNESCO listed the site as a World Heritage Site in 1980, and the visitor center beside the temples explains how they were built and used by Gozo's Neolithic inhabitants.

Dwejra and the Inland Sea

Dwejra, on Gozo's west coast, centers on the Inland Sea, a small lagoon connected to the open water by a narrow tunnel through the rock, where local boatmen run short trips out to sea caves. The Azure Window, a natural limestone arch that once stood nearby, collapsed into the sea in 2017, though Fungus Rock and the surrounding cliffs remain a draw for divers and snorkelers.

Salt Pans and the Northern Coast

Along the coast near Qbajjar and Marsalforn, shallow rock-cut salt pans have been worked by hand for centuries, their grid patterns visible from the cliff paths above. Marsalforn itself is Gozo's main seaside town, with a small harbor and a string of restaurants facing the water, and serves as a base for exploring the northern coastline on foot.

Ta' Pinu and Rural Gozo

The Basilica of Ta' Pinu, standing alone in open countryside near Gharb, is a Catholic pilgrimage site built around a chapel where locals reported Marian apparitions in the 19th century. Beyond the basilica, rural Gozo's network of country lanes and dry-stone walls makes the island a common destination for walking and cycling tours away from its coastal towns.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Boat trips from Gozo's harbors reach the nearby island of Comino, home to the Blue Lagoon, a stretch of shallow turquoise water enclosed by rock that draws swimmers throughout the summer. Many operators combine a Comino stop with a wider loop around Gozo's coastline, taking in sea caves and cliffs not accessible by road.

Tours and Excursions

Several operators run half-day and sunset excursions that combine Gozo's coastline with a stop at Comino. The Gozo Sunset UTV Tour & Comino Visit pairs an off-road route across the island with a visit to Comino's waters, timed to end with sunset views back over Gozo.