The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Gozo Trip

If you're heading to Gozo, you're in for a treat. As Malta's sister island, this little-known spot is quickly becoming a favorite among tourists and world travelers.

This small, idyllic island guarantees true Mediterranean bliss. You'll spot peaceful fishing villages and quiet bays, taking in a scenery and a way of life that will refresh you from the inside out.

Ready to get going?

Before you jet off, you'll want to do some planning. In this guide, we'll help you plan the ultimate trip to this tiny little paradise in Malta.

What to Know Before You Go Gozo

Before heading to a little island in Malta, you're probably going to have a few questions. Let's cover the basics to help you get situated with the culture.

Gozo is the second largest island in the archipelago of Malta. It is a lesser known destination in Malta and therefore much quieter. Some claim that it feels like traveling back in time due to the quaint lifestyle enjoyed here.

The island is quite small at just 26 square miles.

The easiest way to get there is by taking a ferry from Malta. Most people leave from Cirkewwa, the northernmost tip of the main island. There is a bus route that will take you right to Cirkewwa from the airport if you want to head straight there.

There is quite a bit of history to learn about on this island, but there's also plenty of ways to simply kick back, relax, and enjoy soaking up the sun in a beautiful part of Europe.

That's right -- Malta is part of Europe. That means the currency used is the Euro, and you likely will not have too hard of a time struggling with the language barrier. The two official languages of Malta are English and Maltese. Italian is another language that is commonly spoken in Malta.

Popular Culture

One of its main claims to fame is that legend claims it was home to the mythological Calypso. Calypso was the nymph from Homer's Odyssey.

In the more modern era, this tiny island has made headlines because it was used as a film production setting for some big budget hits.

The TV show Game of Thrones had several scenes shot here and helped to make the Azure Window famous. Unfortunately, the breathtaking rock structure collapsed in early 2017.

Traditional Food to Eat

When visiting any place new, you should do your best to immerse in the local culture. What's the point of traveling if you don't open your mind, try new things, and learn about a way of life that differs from yours?

You may be wondering about the traditional cuisine of Malta and what foods you should try when visiting Gozo.

Traditional Maltese food makes use of local produce and rich flavors. You should expect to see lots of fresh foods and hearty meals.

One of the most popular street foods you will encounter is Il-?ob? tal-Malti, or Maltese bread. It is very crunchy on the outside but soft and airy on the inside. It is best served by itself or spread with the simple yet flavorful combination of tomato paste, olive oil, and salt and pepper.

Because Malta is a collection of islands, seafood is another staple of a Maltese diet. Expect to dine on fresh fish caught locally, including mahi-mahi, swordfish, grouper, and more.

Another popular meat that makes up many Maltese meals is rabbit. That's right, in Malta, rabbits are thought of as dinner -- not pets! The most common preparations for rabbit include fried or cooked into a stew called Stuffat Tal-Fenek. Rabbit is also sometimes served in spaghetti sauce.

Other traditional Maltese foods to try include items that grow in abundance on the island, including capers, olives, and gbejna which is a local sheep's cheese.

Where to Stay

Because Gozo is such a small island, many people choose to stay in a larger resort town nearby. You can stay elsewhere in the Maltese archipelago and still have a great visit to Gozo.

One option is to take a full day Gozo tour. For a small price, you can tour all the highlights of the island but still take a ferry back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Otherwise, there are plenty of boutique hotels and inexpensive accommodations that make great options. You can browse through some of the top hotels in Gozo and find something that fits your budget and appeals to your senses.

Explore the Island

No matter how long you plan to be on Gozo, you're going to want to maximize your time in order to enjoy as much of the island as you can.

A great way to cover a lot of ground without tiring yourself out is to take a hop on hop off bus tour. The bus tour will take you around to all of the major sites and highlights on the island, and you can get off the bus and board again as you please.

This makes it easy to see a lot of the island without having to figure out your own transportation or navigation. Since you can simply get on and off the tour as you please, it couldn't be simpler to explore everything you want to see.

How to See and Do It All

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Gozo. From the Citadel to the beaches to the Ggantija Temples to the amazing rock structures of Dwerja Bay, you don't want to miss anything!

Make sure you set aside plenty of time to fully explore Gozo.

 

If you need help putting together an itinerary that ensures you won't miss a thing in Gozo, you've come to the right place! Browse our site for tips and tricks for exploring this wonderful island. We offer tours all over Malta and would love to help you plan your trip.

Whether you need an airport transfer or a Jeep safari, we have options for you! Book your adventure now to ensure maximum fun.