Gozo is the second biggest island in the Maltese archipelago. Unlike Malta, which has become significantly urbanised over time, Gozo retains a strong rural character and a distinctly pastoral atmosphere. Sprinkled with great beaches, fantastic views, and charming architecture, Gozo is the perfect place to spend a day travelling in the countryside.
The island is also home to seaside resorts that are popular with both locals and tourists, the most popular being Marsalforn and Xlendi.
Gozo is famous for its places of interest, some of these include the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, Calypso’s Cave (from Homer’s Odyssey, where the island is called Ogygia) and the Ġgantija Neolithic temples which are among the oldest surviving man-made structures. For these reasons, this little island is considered one of the top diving destinations in the Mediterranean and a centre for water sports.
Visitors can currently reach the island by ferry. There are regular crossings between the port of Mġarr on Gozo and Ċirkewwa on the north-west coast of Malta. The Gozo Channel Line makes the trip every 45 minutes during the summer and almost as often in the winter. A return journey costs €4.65 and takes around 25 minutes each way.
Thanks to a new system installed in 2021, people can now also travel from the Grand Harbour in Valletta to Mgarr in Gozo in less than 45 minutes with the Gozo Fast Ferry.