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Gozo

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Hidden Mediterranean Gem

Malta’s Rabat and Gozo islands provide clear waters, historic sites and quiet villages. Rabat serves as a gateway to ancient temples and colorful harbors while keeping a relaxed pace. On the smaller island of Gozo, rolling hills and stone walls create peaceful countryside scenes. Both islands feature traditional food, friendly locals and easy walking paths through old towns and coastal trails. Visitors can swim in calm bays or explore underground caves without heavy crowds. The mix of culture, nature and history makes each stop worth a visit for travelers seeking calm exploration.

Island in Malta
Climate zone: Mediterranean

Mediterranean: Mid-latitude climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of coastal regions around the Mediterranean Basin.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 7.6
General Safety:8
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:5
Tap water:9
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is widely spoken throughout Gozo, making communication easy for English-speaking visitors. Signage and information are also commonly available in English.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Gozo Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Great for coastal scenery and relaxed outdoor activities. Swim in clear Mediterranean waters, go diving and snorkeling, explore quiet villages, hike coastal cliffs and enjoy countryside cycling.
Place score
7.9
Best at:
Islands
10
Sea
10
Beaches
7
Walkable
7
Spotless
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 9
Travel Beginners
💻 9
Digital Nomads
Malta – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type G
Type G:
Diagram of a Type G power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. 5-10% in restaurants and rounding up in taxis is common.
Public drinking: There is no general ban on drinking in public, but local restrictions may apply and drunken behaviour in public can be fined. Drinking outdoors is common during festivals.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public indoor spaces but allowed in designated areas.
Feast of St. Paul
(February)
Religious celebrations and closures.
Independence Day
(September)
Events and parades.
Christmas
(December)
Markets and religious observances.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps: Bolt, eCabs, Uber
Other: Malta is known for its rich history, stunning beaches, and friendly locals. Summers are hot.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Gozo, Malta
🌤️
Jan
☀️
Feb
☀️
Mar
☀️
Apr
☀️
May
☀️
Jun
🔥
Jul
🔥
Aug
☀️
Sep
☀️
Oct
☀️
Nov
☀️
Dec
High season: June - Sep.
Shoulder season: March - May, Oct.
Crowdedness: 5 (Moderate tourist numbers)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Many hotels, restaurants and beach facilities close November to March, main season May to October
Nadur Carnival (late February to early March) is Gozo's biggest event, with informal costumed street parties
Diving is possible year-round, but visibility and conditions are best May to October

Why travel to Gozo?

If you're seeking a blend of relaxation and adventure, Gozo is the perfect destination. From ancient temples to picturesque beaches, the island caters to history enthusiasts, nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Its laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals make it a welcoming retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Ġgantija Temples
  • 2 Dwejra Bay
  • 3 Calypso's Cave (closed)
  • 4 Mġarr ix-Xini Coastal Tower
  • 5 Ta' Kola Windmill
  • 6 Saint George's Basilica
  • 7 Marsalforn Bay
  • 8 Xlendi Bay
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Golden Beach
  • 2 Ħondoq ir-Rummien
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Ta' Ċenċ Cliff
  • 2 Lunzjata Valley
  • 3 Triq l-Għar ta' Xerri
  • 4 Ta' Ċenċ Dolmen
  • 5 Wied il Mielaħ Window
  • 6 Xwejni Salt Pans
  • 7 Sanap Cliffs
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Ta' Mena Estate
  • 2 The Duke Shopping Mall
  • 3 Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village
🎈Events
  • Gozo Carnival (February)
  • Victoria International Arts Festival (June-July)
  • Festival Mediterranea (October-November)
  • Santa Marija Feast (August)
  • L-Imnarja Festival (June)
  • Qala International Folk Festival (September)
  • Gozo Ceramics Festival (August)
  • Gaulitana Music Festival (April)
  • Gozo Alive Festival (May)
  • Christmas in Gozo (December)

Knowledge before you go

  • Pack water shoes; Gozo’s best swims are rocky coves.
  • Use ferries from Ċirkewwa or fast ferries from Valletta; schedules vary by season and weather.
  • Rent a small car or e-scooter; buses work, but routes can be slow.
  • Visit Victoria’s Citadel near closing time, then stay for blue-hour views over the island.

How to travel to Gozo

To reach Gozo, fly into Malta International Airport. From there, a shuttle or taxi can take you to Ċirkewwa Harbour, where regular ferries operate to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The ferry ride offers scenic views and takes about 25 minutes. Once on the island, local transport options are readily available.

Access summary

  • From Malta Airport (MLA): Bus or taxi to Ċirkewwa ferry, total 1–1.5 hours.
  • From Valletta: Bus to Ċirkewwa ferry terminal, about 1.5–2 hours.
  • Ċirkewwa-Mgarr ferry crossing alone: Frequent, 20–25 minutes.

Where to stay in Gozo

Gozo offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to charming guesthouses and farmhouses. Many visitors enjoy staying in traditional farmhouses, which provide an authentic Gozitan experience. For those seeking seaside views, hotels in Marsalforn and Xlendi are popular choices.

How to get around Gozo

Getting around Gozo is relatively easy. Public buses connect major villages and attractions, with Victoria serving as the central hub. Renting a car or scooter provides more flexibility, especially for reaching remote areas. Taxis and bicycle rentals are also available. Keep in mind that some rural areas may have limited public transport, so planning ahead is advisable.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-1 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 1% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for St. Paul's Bay, Malta - 17 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£60
£137
£348
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£23
£53
£113
🍝 Food per day
£28
£74
£197
🚕 Transportation per day
£9
£10
£38
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£33
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£18
🍟 Fast food combo
£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£9.50
☕ Cappuccino
£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£3.60
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£2.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£22
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.20
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£15
🤧 Cold medication
£6
💇 Basic haircut
£9

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Gozo is considered very safe for tourists, with low crime rates. Standard precautions, such as safeguarding personal belongings, are advisable.
Health & Medical
7
Healthcare facilities are available in Gozo, including a general hospital. For serious conditions, transfer to Malta may be necessary. Travel insurance is recommended.
Accessi­bility
5
Major attractions and accommodations in Gozo are generally accessible. However, some historical sites and natural areas may present challenges for those with mobility issues.
Tap water
9
Tap water in Gozo is safe to drink, but some visitors may prefer bottled water due to taste preferences. Bottled water is readily available.

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