After uncovering the best things to do in Valletta and taking a day trip to Mdina, it’s time to discover the many wonderful things to do in Gozo for a relaxing change of pace. The second largest of the Maltese islands, Gozo is one of the oldest inhabited places across the globe.

Get ready to discover historic architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible natural wonders in beautiful Gozo!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Gozo is absolutely worth the visit! Not only is it considerably different from the main island, it’s actually very easy to do a day trip to Gozo from Malta. In just 45 minutes on the Gozo Fast Ferry from the capital city, you’ll be greeted with magnificent landscapes, hidden gems galore, and a remote atmosphere that’s totally unique.

The short answer is to visit both! Despite the fact that each of the islands is part of the Maltese archipelago, Malta and Gozo are actually quite different and distinct. For the most basic comparison, Malta is larger and more built-up, whereas Gozo is more rugged and remote.

If you’re short on time and need to decide between the two, you’ll ultimately want to consider the style of vacation you’d prefer. Would you like to explore historic cities, visit the island’s capital, and dine at some of the best restaurants on the island? In that case, visit Malta.

Alternatively, if you’re a lover of unique beaches with natural rock formations, sweeping landscapes, and quirky cities with interesting architecture, Gozo may be the better fit.

Regardless of what you decide, just keep in mind that if you plan to dedicate your time to Gozo, you’ll still need to navigate to Malta first. There are no airports on the island of Gozo, so the only way to get there is by boat from Malta.

In addition to its magnificent temples such as the Ggantija Temples, a little Malta fun fact is that Gozo is also the famous filming location of The Count of Monte Cristo. While the Azure Window (where the movie was filmed) was sadly destroyed, the scenes are beautifully preserved forever on film.

Without a doubt, one of the most popular things to do in Gozo is to visit the old town of Victoria. Known by the locals as “Rabat” or “Città Victoria,” Victoria is the main town and the unofficial capital of the island.

Although Gozo is much more remote than Malta, Victoria is where you’ll find the central hub of activity on the island. This is where Gozo’s main bus station is located. It’s also the spot where you have the greatest chance of running into a crowd.

Victoria Old Town is a charming (albeit often bustling) area that’s easily explored on foot. Here, you’ll find a colorful labyrinth of streets with many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

While in the old town, be sure to also stop at St. George Square to admire the St. George Basilica. This area is buzzing with activity and offers many cafes with terraces that are perfect for people-watching.

While in Victoria, you absolutely can’t miss the climb up to the famous Citadel, easily one of the best things to do in Gozo. The “Citadella,” as it’s referred to in Maltese, is perched atop a hill offering unrivaled panoramic views over Gozo.

There’s also a Citadella Visitor Center you can check out for greater context on the Citadel’s role in history. The entrance fee costs 5EUR which includes access to the Nature Museum, the Gozo Archaeology Museum, the Old Prisons, and the Gran Castello Historic House.

The Citadella is located at It-Telgħa a tal-Belt in Victoria.

If you’re at all familiar with the Azure Window, you’ll be saddened to hear that this beautiful natural arch was destroyed by intense storms and collapsed back in March of 2017. Ultimately, experts discovered that the collapse was due to immense erosional weathering that led to severe structural damage.

While the news of the fallen arch was obviously devastating, the good news is, the site on which it once stood is still worth visiting! Today, visitors come to see the Blue Hole, which is now one of the most popular diving and snorkeling spots on the island.

Plus, for those who would still like a chance to see a modified Azure Window in the future, there’s talk about reconstruction with stainless steel to make the arch more structurally sound.

You can find directions for the Blue Hole here.

Sitting just south of the former Azure Window, Fungus Rock is the result of a collapsed arch. Also known as “Generals Rock,” it sits at the entrance of the lagoon in Dwerja Bay.

It’s one of many attractions to enjoy when you visit the Blue Hole. Today, Fungus Rock serves as both a nature reserve and a popular boat dive site.

You can find directions for Fungus Rock at Dwejra Bay here.

I was crushed to find out the fate of the Azure Window before visiting Malta, so you can imagine how happy I was to discover the lesser-known but equally amazing Wied il-Mielaħ Window. Wied il-Mielaħ is incredible in its own right, but it’s also a wonderful stand-in for the former Azure Window.

This striking natural limestone arch forms a window over the magnificent blue sea. There are also some miniature tidal pools that sit just below it.

Plus, it’s located only about three miles from the original Azure Window!

You can find directions for Wied il-Mielaħ Window here.

There are two main ways to reach the Wied il-Mielaħ Window – by car or by boat. If you’re driving, you’ll park at the top of a hill. To reach the landmark, you’ll follow a set of limestone steps down to it. Just watch your step and be mindful of the narrow walkway.

While there’s a guardrail in place, it has been destroyed in certain places due to high tide and stormy conditions.

You’ll also see there was once a full staircase leading down to the water, but part of the connecting ladder has snapped off. Today, there’s a rail blocking off this area, as it can be hazardous. Be sure to stay behind the rail on your visit.

While we’re on the topic of incredible natural formations, you can’t miss a visit to the interesting Inland Sea on Gozo’s west coast. This lagoon is also known as “Qawra.” It’s located in Dwerja Bay and connects to the Mediterranean Sea by way of a long limestone tunnel.

The Inland Sea is considered to be one of the top sea cave dive sites in all of Malta. It’s also a popular spot for fishing boats and has a small pebbly beach surrounding it.

You can find directions for the Inland Sea here.

If you’re arriving by water, you can either take a boat tour through the tunnel or you’ll need to be an experienced diver in order to manage its depth. Otherwise, you can enjoy a swim in the lagoon area and/or swim inside the tunnel at your own risk. Just be mindful of boats passing through!

Alternatively, if you’re driving to this point, there’s a large lot where you can park and then take a very brief hike atop the hill which overlooks the lagoon. This will give you an awesome bird’s eye view over it.

Of all the awesome things to do in Gozo, I think visiting the Xwejni Bay Salt Pans was my favorite.

Spanning three kilometers along Gozo’s northern coast, this stunning landmark is not just a feast for the eyes; it’s also home to one of the island’s most important natural resources – salt!

The 350-year-old shallow, rock-cut pools collect sea water and form a fascinating checkerboard pattern across the sea.

Salt is also available for purchase at the nearby salt shop, which is a great way to support local salt farmers.

You can find directions for the Xwejni Bay Salt Pans here.

It’s impossible to miss Mgarr Harbor, as this will be the first point you see when you arrive in Gozo. This harbor serves as the main cruise port for ships entering and exiting the island. It’s also where you’ll first arrive on the Gozo Fast Ferry from Valletta.

Flanked by a beautiful backdrop featuring The Church of Holy Mother Lurdskaya and peppered by colorful fishing boats, the Mgarr Harbour resembles a postcard with its unique beauty.

Here are a few spots to stop off at while exploring the Mgarr Harbour:

• The Promenade
• Lourdes Chapel
• Gleneagles Bar

You won’t have to worry about navigating to Mgarr Harbour, as this is where all boats coming from Valletta will first dock when they arrive in Gozo.

Of all the towns we visited in Gozo, L-Għarb was easily the one that stole my heart.

One of Gozo’s oldest and most traditional villages, L-Għarb is still populated by cotton-weavers, locksmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters, and fishermen to this day.

Perhaps the most beloved landmark of L-Għarb is the Basilica of the Visitation. This baroque and collegiate parish church was built in 1699 and is considered one of the most architecturally beautiful on the island.

Beyond the Basilica of the Visitation, you can easily find amusement and hidden gems simply by spontaneously wandering the streets of L-Għarb.

In addition, there are some points of interest worth noting.

Some additional highlights of L-Għarb include:

• L-Għarb Folklore Museum
• San Dimitri
• The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu

Marsalforn Bay is a beach and resort hotspot amongst Maltese locals and tourists alike. The sandy/pebbly beach has a promenade that’s perfect for strolling. Marsalforn is also a popular diving spot on the island.

If you ever wanted to see a working fishing village, you can’t miss a stop here. There are also several appointed zones for swimming as well as numerous restaurants and bars along the water.

You can find directions for Marsalforn Bay & Village here.

You’ll find ample parking along the beach as well as a car park near the main road.

If you’re after a more secluded beach experience, then Wied il Għasri Beach will be right up your alley. Not only is this one of the most picture-perfect spots on the island, but it’s also one of the lesser-known yet best things to do in Gozo.

This snaking “beach” is more of a fjord-style cove that’s perfect for a secluded swim – that is, if you can manage to stop snapping photos of it! Despite its more remote nature, it’s popular with divers, particularly the Cathedral Cave located at the opening of the inlet.

You can find directions for Wied il Għasri Beach here.

If you’d prefer to visit on foot as opposed to by car, some people decide to enjoy it on the Ta’ Ġurden Walk, which runs for about 7.5 miles. You can also explore this area by bike as well.

To get down to the beach itself, you’ll need to descend the steps carved into the face of the cliff.

Gozo is chock-full of natural wonders and the Tal-Mixta Cave is no exception. This rugged cliffside cave is nestled high in the hills of Nadur and overlooks the breathtaking Ramla Bay.

Once a hidden gem, it’s become more popular with tourists and it’s easy to see why. The cooling properties of the cave and the striking view from it earns it a place on any Gozo itinerary. Plus, it’s free to visit, so it’s hard to resist for those up for the climb (or bumpy ride)!

You can find directions for Tal-Mixta Cave here. 

Keep in mind that the cave can be quite tricky to find without reliable GPS or a local guide. You can either reach it by doing the hike up from Ramla Bay or by driving through the outskirts of Nadur with a trusty GPS.

If you’re driving, the closest you can park is about five minutes from the entrance. From here, you’ll find a staircase leading through a tunnel with another set of steps leading to the cave.

The Ggantija Temples are one of the most impressive and well-preserved sites on the island of Gozo. Built atop the hill, they offer incredible views over the southern half of the island.

The site is actually made up of two main temples: the North Temple and the South Temple. There’s technically a third temple as well, but it’s incomplete.

You can check out visiting hours and admission fees here.

You can find directions for the Ggantija Temples here.

Another popular island diving spot, Xlendi Bay is located at the foot of a steep valley on Gozo’s southwest coast. Even if diving isn’t your jam, there’s also an intimate sandy beach here, making the bay ideal for swimming and snorkeling as well.

The bay is surrounded by a seaside village – a former sleepy fishing village – that’s beloved by local Maltese and tourists. Today, this area has been developed with residential and commercial buildings, including restaurants and public restrooms.

However, despite the upgrades, Xlendi Bay still maintains its charm.

You can find directions for Xlendi Bay here.

If you’re arriving by car, you’ll find a car park at the bottom of the hill just near the resort center.

Despite its remote nature, Gozo offers a host of tours to suit a variety of travel styles and interest levels.

Jeep tours are one of the most popular options, but even if traveling in a 4X4 isn’t your speed, you can always join a more traditional tour or jump on a hop-on/hop-off bus for a DIY experience.

For a small Mediterranean island, Gozo certainly packs a lot of punch. Of all the things to do in Gozo, what do you gravitate toward the most? Let me know in the comments below!

Planning a trip to the Maltese Archipelago? Check out my other island guides:

• Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Gozo from Malta
• 12 Fabulous Valletta Hotels with Pools for a Relaxing Stay
• 15 Fun Things to Do in Valletta (Including Free Activities & Day Trip Ideas)
• Plan the Perfect Day Trip from Valletta to Mdina, Malta
• 33 Fun Facts About Malta You Probably Didn’t Know