HISTORY
Gozo has been inhabited since 5000 BC, when farmers from nearby Sicily crossed the sea to the island. It has been suggested that the first colonists were specifically from the area of Agrigento; however, it is currently unknown exactly where in Sicily the farmers came from. They are thought to have first lived in caves on the outskirts of what is now known as San Lawrenz. Pottery sherds unearthed on this site are of a purer pedigree than any other pottery found elsewhere in the Maltese Islands. This suggests that Gozo might have been settled earlier than Malta.
Click here to view a complete historical timeline of the island.
ART AND CULTURE
Time seems to move at a different, slower pace in Gozo. The island’s traditions continue to be lovingly preserved by the locals, with a lot of importance being given to activities and events that highlight the island’s identity. Unusually for a small island, Gozo has a vibrant cultural life, including annual events such as arts, opera and folk festivals, exuberant religious celebrations at Easter and Christmas, and the many village festas held throughout the summer months. Gozo also hosts many arts performances, exhibitions and international events throughout the year.
Click here for a selection of the major annual arts and cultural events in Gozo.
THINGS TO DO
Gozo offers many activities that one can opt for – the possibilities are endless and mainly depend on your taste, time and budget. For starters, there are various services to navigate around the island. These include, a hop-on & hop-off bus or, should you prefer, a guided jeep safari or a quad bike tour to the main touristic sites. Excursions include biking, country walks, hiking and treasure hunts. One can even opt for kayaking, climbing or diving. Gozo is famous for diving and has many beautiful dive sites to choose from. Hire a professional instructor and discover a new world under water. We also recommend taking a trip to Comino which is approximately 5 minutes away from Gozo by boat or even charter a boat to go around the Maltese Islands.
Click here to get more information and details, plan and book your tours and excursions today.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Gozo is one of the Mediterranean’s most serene, striking and unique islands with plenty of world-famous sites to visit during your holiday. It’s little wonder that it is often referred to as an island paradise. Steeped in myth and brimming with cultural character you’ll never be bored. Time may have stood still but Gozo has something for everyone. Its rugged landscape begs exploration, it’s rocky inlets make it the perfect spot to snorkel and history lovers will be spoilt for choice. From beaches and churches, to museums and world-heritage sites, you’ll be glad you chose to explore this tiny island.
Click here for a more detailed overview of what to see in Gozo.
BEACHES AND BAYS
Gozo has some of the best beaches anywhere in Malta and they tend to be more peaceful and natural too. The sun shines some 300 days per year and sunbathing weather is more or less guaranteed between June and September and regularly stretches from May to November. The water is a crystal clear azure and warm for most of the year – perfect for swimming, snorkelling, diving or just splashing about. Gozo has two beautiful red sandy beaches – Ramla and San Blas – with space for games and sand castles, as well as a couple of smaller yellow-sandy bays at Marsalforn and Xlendi. There are also plenty of good rocky swimming areas. Being such a small island, if there is wind on one side of Gozo, you need only hop a few kilometres along the coast to find another bay that is calm and tranquil – there is almost always a beach to serve your purpose.
Click here to explore Gozo’s beaches, read forecasts and more.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES
To get to the heart of Gozo, you need to go to the villages. Unlike Malta which is primarily an urban island with patches of unspoilt countryside, Gozo is rural with patches of habitation, much of it in traditional villages. The capital ir-Rabat (Victoria) is the only town of any size and even this is small. The rest of the island is hills and valleys dotted with charming villages, each with a parish church at its centre, usually in an attractive village square of traditional limestone houses, perhaps with balconies of carved stone or painted wood. Older men hang around the square chatting and watching the world go by while women come and go from the church or the village shop – unless it is a summer afternoon, of course, when all is quiet. The sun shines brightly off the warm yellow stone and the church clock strikes without urgency. Gozo’s villages are peaceful places to travel back in time, slow the pace and recharge your batteries.
Click here to learn more about the localities in Gozo.
GETTING AROUND
Gozo is the smaller, sleepier and more tranquil sister island of Malta – a haven of peace just a stone’s throw away from this bustling and cosmopolitan centre. Getting here is easy, wherever you are starting from. Air Malta, the islands’ national air-carrier, fly directly to most of Europe and beyond, making it the perfect choice for an island getaway throughout the year and with convenient, accessible connection possibilities. Once in Malta, allow around one hour to get to the Circewwa Harbour, Malta’s most northern point, and allow a further half an hour for the pleasant regular ferry crossing to Gozo. Once here settle back, relax and let the tranquil Mediterranean atmosphere wash over you.
Click here for more information on the ferry crossing and transportation means in Gozo.
