The end of the year is upon us, and it has us reviewing the destinations that we visited and loved this year. We’re bringing you the absolute must-dos from those very spots. This time, the focus is on… Malta’s Gozo.
Do:
Malta comprises five islands, but only three of them are inhabited. Visiting Gozo means that you already have to visit the two main ones (as you’ll fly into the mainland), so if you visit Comino too, you’ll tick off the big three. Comino is home to one of the archipelago’s best-loved sites, the Blue Lagoon, which is a lagoon with startlingly blue waters, and what better way to experience this than by traversing across the top of it?
You don’t need to be a kayaking pro to take to these waters, but you do need to be a strong swimmer, so bear that in mind before booking.
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Enjoy:
Cocktails and music at Ix-Xatt at one80
If you’re looking for a romantic spot in which to enjoy a very good cocktail, Ix-Xatt is the place that you’re looking for. Perched on the edge of Mgarr Harbour, you’ll be greeted with sea views as you enjoy your tipple of choice. When it comes to those drinks, the menu is short but interesting with an entire section dedicated to the ever-popular negroni. I opted for the Sea-Groni during my trip here—a seaweed-infused version, which felt fitting given the location.
A DJ spins fun but laidback beats at weekends, which helps to give this bar a distinctly buzzy atmosphere.
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Visit:
The citadel looms over Victoria, and is visible from almost every part of Gozo’s capital. Exploring the city without visiting this historic spot would always leave you wondering. The fortified city dates all the way back to the 1500s and was used all the way up until 1832, meaning that its history is as varied as it is fascinating.
Entry is very reasonably priced at just £4.30, so it won’t dent your wallet either. Not a history fan? Visit just for the views out over the island, they’re unmatched!
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Eat At:
This seafood restaurant has a prime location on the seafront in Xlendi, right next to the steps for the caves. During the day, you’ll be able to peer into the waters and search for fish; while at night, the restaurant twinkles and your dinner will be accompanied by the sound of lapping waves. The focus here is on seafood, and we enjoyed a spaghetti vongole and tagliatelle with octopus. We came ravenous and ordered accordingly, but it’s worth noting that the staff also brought us complimentary appetizers so we were left with rather a lot of food!
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Check:
The weather ahead of your ferry crossing back to the mainland
There are two ferry services operating from mainland Malta to Gozo: one is a speedy catamaran option, which takes 45 minutes from Valletta; while the other is the sturdier Ċirkewwa ferry, which runs from the north of Malta and takes 25 minutes. On a clear, calm day, the catamaran option is great, taking you between both Malta and Gozo’s capitals with ease. However—and I cannot stress this enough—on a choppy day, take the Ċirkewwa ferry. The catamaran bounces up and down on the waves in a way that even the strongest of stomachs will struggle with, and I would advise avoiding that experience if at all possible.
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