Gozo Holiday Guide

Fly to Malta International Airport, as Gozo has no airport of its own and can only be reached by boat or via helicopter from Malta.

A regular 30-minute car ferry runs between Cirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr on Gozo year-round.

Driving is on the left and there's a decent public transport system in Gozo.

Ramla il-Hamra is the island's largest, most unspoilt haven, with rich red sand and shallow waters.

Xlendi is a popular resort for holiday goers in Gozo, even though it has just a small sandy beach - it's common to swim off the rocks beneath the watchtower at the mouth of the bay.

Marsalforn is Gozo's most popular summer resort with a pleasant-enough pebbly beach.

Comino has three secluded beach havens - Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay and Bejn il-Kmiemen, or the Blue Lagoon.

The hub of Gozo is Victoria, a name introduced in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Jubilee, but locals still refer to the capital as Rabat. The heart of the action is the main square, It-Tokk, a lively marketplace every morning and a gathering place by night.

Victoria's fortified citadel is aptly called the Crown of Gozo and is home to the cathedral, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum and the Natural History Museum - all of moderate interest.

The Inland Sea and the Azure Window are just some of Gozo's geologically stunning sites. The UNESCO-listed Ggantija Temples at Xaghra date back to 3600BC.

Head over to Malta to explore the ancient capital of Valetta, or in contrast, virtually uninhabited Comino is a lovely spot for boat trips and swimming.

Warm climate, clear waters, lack of tides or currents, and abundant marine life make this a great place for experienced or new divers and the Blue Hole is a world-famous dive spot. Some of the best dives are off the northwest coast, as well as at wrecks off the south coast such as MV Xlendi and MV Karwela.

This is a sleepy island, but there is plenty of choice in Marsalforn, wonderful seafood in Xlendi, and more familiar and international cuisine like Chinese and Indian is available in Victoria.

The local speciality of rabbits stewed in wine may not be to everyone's taste, but do try the pastizzi, little puff-pastry pockets filled with ricotta cheese or vegetables.

Order an abundant Maltese food platter with olives, capers, tomatoes, goats' cheese, Maltese bread and sun dried tomatoes, or other local specialities such as octopus stew with spaghetti. Gozo honey is delicious.

Nightlife is not as prevalent as on Malta, but Victoria and Marsalforn certainly hold their own in terms of bars.

Gozo also has a wonderful secret - La Grotta. On the road between Victoria and Xlendi Bay, this summer club has been noted as one of the most beautiful in the world, with an outdoor dance floor and a bar and a restaurant in a large natural cave.

Victoria will suit most shopping needs. For souvenirs, Gozitans are grafters and crafters so you will see a high standard of quality about their craftworks and traditional products - from fine glassware, to lacework, silver filigree jewellery and pottery, to local wine.

Boat trips, old forts and ancient temples will keep the more curious minds occupied on holiday in Gozo. Gozitans love children, so there's always a family-friendly atmosphere in cafes and restaurants.
Try the adventure of a jeep safari or visits to Gozo's caves, such as Calypso's Cave at Xaghra, said to be where she charmed Ulysses into staying in Gozo for seven years.
Time on Malta will be a must too, with its Toy Museum, Mediterraneo Marine Park and Splash and Fun Park at Bahar ic-Cahaq.