Teeming with 7,000 years of history seeping from every corner of its ancient villages and beautiful Baroque churches; there’s rugged rural and coastal landscapes, geological wonders, heritage sites and much more. Ġgantija Temples is our Megalithic monument (with UNESCO World Heritage status) which is older than Egypt’s Pyramids. Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary is a national shrine and miracle church. Ramla Bay’s award-winning red sandy beach is a must for families, as are the coastal resorts of Xlendi and Marsalforn.
Our ancient fortified city,The Cittadella stands guard over Gozo’s capital Victoria where triumphant tales hailing from the Knights of St John seem to echo around every corner.
Not that we’re counting, but Gozo has 46 churches, 13 windmills, numerous dive sites and a Christ on the Hill statue similar to Brazil’s iconic mountain-top messiah, and we’ve not even mentioned Xewkija’s Rotunda Church which has the 3rd largest unsupported dome in the world!
So, the question should really be: How does Gozo fit ALL this into just 67 km² and when are you planning to see it? So, this week’s VisitGozo blog explains some unique ways to explore Gozo.
Let’s get the basics out of the way first; Gozo has a highly efficient public transport system.
Buses: The bus terminal in central Victoria has routes spanning the island. Bus timetables are seasonal with a more extensive service during peak summer months. It’s a simple and reliable way to get around and if you plan using the bus frequently it may be cheaper to buy an Explorer Unlimited Card giving you unlimited travel over 7 consecutive days, or a 12 journey card. Tickets are valid for buses in Gozo and Malta.
Taxis: Gozo has a number of distinctive white licensed taxis. Taxis are easily found at Mgarr ferry terminal or in the small taxi rank alongside the bus depot in Victoria.
Hop-On-Hop Off Buses: Why not experience our sunshine island by open top bus? These brightly branded Hop-on-Hop off bus tours feature 15 stops driving passengers around Gozo’s many attractions. There’s different routes across Gozo available with commentary in up to 16 languages. The tours offer a quick way to combine Gozo’s sights whilst discovering more about its culture and history.
If you prefer being in the driving seat and travelling at your own pace, Gozo’s vehicle hire companies offer a range of transport from cars, 4×4 Jeeps, scooter hire and quadbikes through to bicycles and e-bikes.
If you are looking for a fun, eco-friendly and minimum impact way to glide around Gozo why not try a Segway Tour? Gozo Segway Tours offer 7 differing routes of the island factoring in popular landmarks and lesser known coastal trails; with sessions ranging from 1 hour through to 5 hours. Marsalforn’s Saltpans, Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary and the raw rugged coast around Sanap cliffs are just some of the locations en-route available for tourists to enjoy. Whereas, Outdoor Explorers offer 6 separate Segway Tours of Gozo and 4 tours of Comino (Gozo’s smaller sister island) which even includes a Sunset Segway Tour of Comino. Segway riders must be aged 12 and over.
If you like going off-road and enjoy the thrill of rougher terrain while coursing around on all fours then why not try out a Quadbike Tour of Gozo. Some quadbike companies offer quadbike tours that cater for groups of 3 up to about 20 people and include the services of a tour leader who guides groups around countryside and coastal trails, through alleys and pathways taking in either the North or South of the island. The tours last around 4 hours. Drivers must be aged 21+ and own a full valid driving licence.
If you’d prefer to sit back and relax while someone else does the navigating, pedal pushing and steering, a Tuk-Tuk tour is an ideal way for families to stay cool and spend time together whilst easily taking in the sights. Plus, you can be certain there’ll be no arguments over map-reading. Each Tuk-Tuk takes up to 6 people. Make sure you look out for their flagship Tuk-Tuk (pictured above) decoratively painted like a traditional ‘Luzu’ fishing boat. Tuk-Tuk guides will drive you around Gozo’s coastal resorts, historic villages and churches; from Xewkija’s Rotunda Church, Sanap Cliffs and Xlendi Bay through to Ta Pinu Sanctuary and more. The company also offers a full day Tuk-Tuk sight-seeing tour of Gozo with lunch and a tour of Comino (*weather dependant).
If you ‘d like a low-impact, low maintenance way to sightsee Gozo letting you have fun, keeping you fit and allowing you to reach secluded parts of the island inaccessible by road, then why not book an E-bike tour? CycleGozo offer eco-friendly sight-seeing adventures geared towards your interests and personal fitness levels. Choose from 4 different tours taking in our South Coast cliffs and hidden bays, Ancient Caves and Temples, Chapels and Footpaths or traversing across the unspoilt beauty of Gozo’s North Coast. Tours last between 3 and 5 hours and routes can be tailored according to whether riders enjoy cycling on hilly or flat terrain or prefer an off or on-road experience. Don’t worry E-bikes are as simple as riding a bike – they just give you an extra boost getting up that hill when you’re tired! You may even get to meet co-owner and Cycle Gozo guide Petra Wiltshire who is a World Mountain Bike champion!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0I_CzXHA1T/
Before we finish, let’s not forget Gozo is an island renowned for its unspoilt, magical coastal scenery. Which means you can easily sightsee from the coast by chartering a boat or booking a sightseeing sailing trip – giving you a shoreside insight into our island’s beauty. Boat trips and tour organisers are often found alongside our ports and coastal resorts, with short trips over to our sister island of Comino being a popular choice. If you want more activity fuelled sightseeing on the waters why not try Kayaking or Stand-Up-Paddleboarding to easily access the sights along our beautiful shores. Discover more from our recent blogs on sailing and watersports.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzmioazHpsd/
BACK TO ITINERARIES