Malta – Gozo and (memory after) Azure Window

Gozo is a small island of 67 square kilometers, part of the Maltese Islands archipelago. More unspoiled than the main island, Malta, with beautiful views, an interesting coastline and the postcard-perfect Azure Window, which unfortunately can only be admired in photos.

Gozo is the second largest Maltese island. It is significantly smaller than the main island and only 10% of the country’s total population (about 30,000) lives here. The island is located to the northwest of Malta and you should ideally plan a full day to explore it plus get there.

Crowds were once drawn to the island to see the famousAzure Window (Azure Window) in Dwejra. Unfortunately, in March 2017, the rock formation was destroyed during a strong storm. Nevertheless, in this post we will show you this place, as we were lucky enough to still have time to see it. With the following post we also want to encourage you to visit Gozo even without the Côte d’Azur, because the island has much more to offer!

This is by far the quieter part of Malta. Life here seems to flow at a slower, unhurried pace, and prices are also lower here than on the main island. So if you’re looking for an oasis where you can retreat to in silence then perhaps Gozo will be a better choice for you than Malta itself?

How to get to Gozo?

To begin with, let’s start with a rather important point about the trip to the island itself. Of course, only sailing from Malta to Gozo is involved, but there are several options available here.

You can get to the island by regular ferry or take a water cab – both options are available from Cirkewwa Port (Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal), where you can easily get there by public transportation (you can find the current bus schedule here).

As you may have guessed, the ferry is much cheaper: 4.65 euros per person and 1.15 euros per child (the price applies to walkers). If you travel by car, you pay 15.70 euros for the vehicle and driver. The ferry departs every 45 minutes, and the trip takes about 30 minutes (you can check the current schedule here). The ferry also sails at night, but when planning your trip, take into account the return buses that must still take us back to the hotel in the evening, and there are a lot of takers.

In addition, along the way, many people stop at the small island of Comino with its azure bay – you can get here too, but it is not the same ferry that sails between Malta and Gozo.

Sightseeing in Gozo

The ferry arrives in Mġarr on Gozo and it is from here that the tour of the island begins. You can get around the island in several ways: public transport buses, a rented scooter or a car, and we chose the ‘hop on and hop off’ bus travel option (don’t ask why ;) ).

If you want to travel by public transport then you need to purchase a separate ticket for Gozo, as those from Malta are not accepted.

 

Our bus trip had one big plus: we had the opportunity to listen to a Polish guide and learned quite a lot of interesting information (such as. why the windows in the apartments are so small and how Malta was a strategic location during the many sea voyages). An added attraction was to admire the driver’s ability to easily fit into the smallest streets and keep the double-decker bus from snagging on protruding stone ornaments and facades and wooden balconies.

While there are many interesting places on Gozo that could be seen from the bus, two attractions require (or rather, demanded) more attention: the capital Rabat (Victoria) and the famous, now-defunct Azure Window (we write about them a bit below). It was at these places that we went out for an extended tour (skipping the forced stop at the sun-dried tomato producer, eh!).

[Akapit napisany przed zawaleniem Lazurowego Okna!] Azure Window is a rock formation in the western part of Gozo. It is perhaps the most distinctive place in the entire archipelago. Of course, as you can see from the photos, there is a total ban on climbing the mountain, and the Maltese are increasingly worried that just a little while longer and there will be nothing left to show tourists (the last collapses took place in 2012).

While in Dwejra, we also recommend turning your gaze the other way and facing the arch to see the high and impressive cliffs and Fungus Rock.

Our next stop was in Rabat, although it should be more correctly written: Victoria (the city’s name was changed in 1897 in honor of Queen Victoria’s 60-year reign ^[source], yet it is still referred to as Rabat). Here it is worth seeing, among other things. St. Peter’s Basilica. George as well as the Gran Castello citadel (we especially recommend walking the walls, from where you can enjoy a view of almost the entire island).

Our attention was also drawn to the many lights strung along the main streets. This is very typical in Malta, also in other towns we saw numerous decorations on the streets. Surprisingly, we didn’t see too many of the fireworks that everyone talks about, but instead we heard cannon shots from Valletta almost every day.

The bus also dropped us off at the Ta’Pinu Basilica. We wanted to stop here for a longer time to see this impressive structure, but were discouraged by the vision of a long wait at the site for another bus. We let it go this time, and let this be the best proof that these rides are not always a good option after all.

Beaches on Gozo

If you are more interested in relaxation and beaches than sightseeing, then you will definitely like Ramla Bay – it is the largest sandy beach on Gozo. Here we were surprised by how many people came to Gozo just to relax in this place.

In addition, there are many smaller beaches on Gozo, including pebble beaches, some very charmingly located (Hondoq Bay, Xlendi Beach or Xwejni Bay).

Practical information

What else is worth knowing before you head to Gozo? We have already written about how to get to the island and how to get around locally, so we will not repeat this information.

We have encountered the opinion that one day is all too much to explore Gozo, but based on our experience, we know that one day is not even enough to see anything off the beaten track.

If you plan to spend more than a day here, you may find that it will be more worthwhile for you to stay on the island and spend the night, rather than return to Malta and spend the night on the main island.

Below we have selected for you some accommodations in Gozo with very good reviews:

• Mood Farmhouse B&B
  Address: Triq il-Madonna tal-Virtut, GRB 1010 Għarb
  Prices: from 406 PLN for a double room (breakfast included)
  Link:
  https://r4b.link/booking-farmhouse
  
• Murella Living
  Address: Triq Il-Forn / Bakery Street, 18, MFN 1303 Marsalforn
  Prices: from 311 PLN for a double room
  Link:
  https://r4b.link/booking-murella
  
• Ta Gorga Holiday Farmhouse
  Address: Triq Santa Katarina, XWK 2032 Xewkija
  Prices: from 340 PLN for a house for 2 people
  Link:
  https://r4b.link/booking-gorga
  
• Casa Gemelli Boutique Guesthouse
  Address: 21 Republic Street Victoria Gozo, VCT 1012 Victoria
  Prices: from 570 PLN for a double room (breakfast included)
  Link:
  https://r4b.link/booking-gemelli
  
• San Antonio Guesthouse
  Address: Tower Street, XLN 1320 Xlendi
  Prices: from 264 PLN for a double room (breakfast included)
  Link:
  https://r4b.link/booking-san-antonio
  
• Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
  Address: Triq ir-Rokon, San Lawrenz SLZ 1040, SLZ 1040 San Lawrenz
  Prices: from 665 PLN for a double room
  Link:
  https://r4b.link/booking-kempinskisanlawrenz
  

Our opine on Gozo

We spent almost a full day on Gozo. As mentioned, we spent most of our time in Victoria and at the Azure Window. A lot of the people who took the ferry with us went only to the beaches, because those here are less besieged by tourists than on the main island. We, however, focused on a nice, active tour.

And we are very unsatisfied, because we saw many places only from behind the bus windows…. And yet, charming coves, small towns, impressive rock formations, historical monuments and caves for diving await on Gozo!

Unfortunately, the way back was not so pleasant – when we arrived at the port of Malta, it was difficult to catch the return bus (due to overcrowding). A lot of people were heading back towards Valletta from here and there were too many takers and too few buses, oh the charms of traveling in high season :)

Is it worth sailing to Gozo when the Azure Window is gone? If you’re spending at least a few days in Malta, it’s worth setting aside at least one day in Gozo to see the island, the impressive cliffs, the other towns or at least experience the tranquility of the beach.

Zobacz galerię zdjęć z Gozo >>>

Be sure to read also: Malta – practical information.