All the cities and villages of Malta, be it Valletta, St. Julian, or Gozo, all are special and captivating in their ways. In our previous blogs, you have read about Valletta and Malta and now I’m here again with another Malta City – Gozo which is loaded with many tourist attractions and hidden gems. If you are looking for small getaways or trips at Europe then you can add it in your bucket list.
Take A Quick Glimpse of Gozo
Gozo is one of the 21 islands that make up the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is only separated by a narrow channel from Malta. The serene countryside is also renowned for its fishing villages, tranquil bays and amazing coastal destinations. This city in Malta features lush, rolling hills with a patchwork of small farms that route down to tiny caverns and sandy beaches.
The island’s pristine coastline with sheltered beaches and world-renowned cathedral drew the attention of most tourists alongside fine dining and shopping options. The crystal clear water is suitable to swim, snorkel and dive. There are also several scenic paths in the countryside, ranging from pleasant walks to refreshing hikes.
Gozo provides a multitude of things to do, many around its breathtaking coastline. Check out our list of the top attractions on the island of Gozo.
Popular Attractions to See at Gozo
Visit Icon of Gozo – Ta’ Pinu Basilica
One of the most appealing aspects of Gozo for travellers is Ta’pinu Basilica. This towering structure is located between the Gharb village and Ghammar hill. Took around 10 years in completion, Ta’Pinu Basilica houses many beautiful sculptures and craftworks constructed from Maltese stone.
The neo-romantic architecture of the church includes 6 mosaics and a series of stained-glass windows, with a grand staircase that rises to a height of 61m. There is a set of 14 marble statues opposite the Basilica and Ghammar Hill, representing the Via Crucis or the Stations of the Cross.
Visit Victoria Hilltop City
The Gozo Cittadella is a medieval village, situated on a high hillside, surrounded by old walls, which prevented aliens from raiding. The biggest city of Gozo is today this attractive Victoria hilltop. It offers you many laneways, markets, shops and other important elements of Malta’s culture. While many of the largest buildings on Cittadella remain only ruins, many have been preserved.
Also Read:Â Malta- A Place Where Popeye Lived!
Explore World Heritage Ggantija Temples
One of the most important archaeological sites in the Maltese Islands, the Ggantija Temple is in fact a Neolithic megalithic temple complex built from limestone, housing two temples built side-by-side. The larger one is the older and better preserved of the two, dating back to around 3600 BC.
They are older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids at more than 5500 years old. Believed to be the site of a fertility cult, there is much fascinating Gozitan folklore surrounding the temples.
Marsalforn Bay
Marsalforn Bay is a beautiful beach which offers excellent opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. It’s a popular destination throughout the summer. The surrounding waterfront promenade, offering some unbeatable views, spans the entire length of the bay. There are great restaurants and bars on the promenade which serve delicious Gozitan cuisine and cold drinks.
Pick a place with a dining area and enjoy a meal while you see the exquisite scenery of Marsalforn Bay. Illuminating the waterfront with live music and lively parties, several of the venues remain open late into the night.
Xewkija Rotunda
Xewkija is an ancient village of Gozo island and it is highly renowned for owning the largest religious monument is Xwekija Rotunda. It is a parish church which is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. This remarkable church has a unique some making it an iconic landmark of Gozo visible from every corner of the island.
Established in the 20th century, the Xewkija Rotunda is the third largest dome in the world after Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. With sculptures and contemporary paintings, the spacious white limestone sanctuary is recently renovated.
Watch Panoramic Views at Ta’Cenc Cliffs
At 130 meters high, the stunning Ta’Cenc Cliffs are the tallest cliffs in Gozo. To the Knights of Malta, these magnificent cliffs were important. The Ta’Cenc Cliffs are located only 2 km from Sannat village, so you can also hike along the way to get spectacular views. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the coastline from the cliffs.
Here Peregrine Hunting Falcones were cultivated, although the species has now been extinct in the Maltese Islands. A slice of layer cake looks like the huge cliff edge of white limestone, with hundreds of layers falling down into the sea below. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset from Ta’cena cliffs.
Boat Rides Excursion at Gozo
The most scenic way to arrive at Gozo’s seaside resorts is by cruise. One of the most popular boating excursions is from Gozo to the Island of Comino; several ferry services shuttle tourists from Gozo’s port town of Mgarr to the Blue Lagoon on Comino.
Boat trips to and from other destinations, such as from the seaside resort of Xlendi to Dwerja Bay, are also possible.
How to Reach Gozo
To enter Gozo, a ferry from Cirkewwa on Malta Island brings tourists to the Mgarr seaport on Gozo Island. Therefore, visitors can hop around the island on busses. Buses run less often than Malta, but renting a car is easier. Gozo bus drivers know how to navigate a narrow one-lane road on the island.
Concluding here, but visiting Gozo is like enjoying spectacular scenery, gorgeous beaches, and fascinating historical sites in Malta really is a holiday to remember. Gozo definitely worth your trip and you can enjoy making the short ferry trip across the sea collecting lifetime memories.
Also Read:Â Plan a Holiday Trip to Valletta – The Heritage City of Europe
