The island of Gozo
The island of Gozo is known as an island of tranquility where “time just stops”. The charm of Malta’s sister island is immediately apparent: it is greener, more rural and smaller, with life’s rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. The island of Gozo was voted the 3rd Top Island in Europe by tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.
Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso’s isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful and mystical backwater.
Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites.
The island also comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas, as well as one of the archipelago’s best-preserved prehistoric temples in Ġgantija.
Historically the island has always been distinct from mainland Malta: different milestones, traditions, happenings and topography have distinguished the island both on a national scale and as a travel destination. A lower population density and the slower process of urbanisation have contributed to conserving the island’s characteristic aura, which wins over the traveller who is looking to slow down.
Wherever you look the sea is never more than a stone’s throw away and it’s Gozo’s remarkable coastline that stimulates the imagination so strongly: tiny creeks, beaches of red sand, turquoise bays, stretches of limestone criss-crossed with tiny saltpans and majestic high cliffs falling in a sheer drop into the clear waters.
For those who want to take in the scenery at a faster pace Gozo also offers a wide array of adrenaline-pumping experiences including abseiling, biking, climbing, diving, hiking, kayaking, quad biking, snorkelling, swimming, water skiing and jeep/Land Rover safaris.
Food and drink are a big part of daily life in Gozo. A hilly, fertile island surrounded by the Mediterranean, it is in an excellent location for healthy and tasty produce. There is a wide variety of restaurants that offer both fine dining as well as more casual eateries offering traditional food. Gozo is host to some of the best award-winning restaurants on the islands and with picturesque views of harbours and bays, it is easy to find a restaurant in a spectacular setting. Restaurants abound in Rabat, Mġarr and in the fishing villages of Marsalforn and Xlendi.