With red sands, ancient temples, and year-round sunshine, Gozo is just one of the breathtaking islands that make up the Maltese archipelago.
Recently named by Time Out as one of Europe’s most underrated travel destinations for 2025, this tranquil island is often described as ‘what Malta used to be like’ – a slower, and more laid-back alternative to its lively and well-visited sister island.
Just a 25-minute ferry ride from Malta, Gozo is the second-largest of the five Maltese Islands and despite spanning just 26 square miles, is bursting with hidden gems and character.
Thanks to its 7,000-year history, there’s plenty to uncover. The island is home to some of the oldest temples in the world, predating the Egyptian pyramids.
It’s also a destination wrapped in mythological lore and is believed to be where Odysseus was held against his will by a beautiful nymph.
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The island’s natural beauty is equally captivating. From sprawling beaches and scenic hills to blue waters and rugged shorelines those who venture beyond the well-beaten path will be rewarded.
Lonely Planet writes: ‘While Malta can sometimes feel busy and crowded, sleepy and laid-back Gozo offers the perfect opportunity to breathe out and relax.’
And visitors agree. One reviewer on TripAdvisor described the ‘mesmerising bluish’ waters that surround that island as ‘breathtaking’. And another said Gozo was a place of ‘peace and tranquility.’
Before you book your flights, here’s everything you need to know.
How to get to Gozo
There are no direct flights to Gozo; the only way to get there is by ferry.
The ferry departs from Ċirkewwa, the northernmost point of Malta and runs every 30 to 45 minutes, arriving at the port of Mgarr.
The journey takes around 25-45 minutes and can be choppy, especially during high winds. Yet the service is described as ‘safe’ and operates year-round.
Malta is a little over three hour’s flying time from London, with one-way Ryanair from £29 per person in November. If you’re looking to travel during peak season, June or July, prices are a bit higher starting from £45.99.
You can fly from any London airport, including Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as Luton and Stansted.
What’s the weather like in Gozo?
The good news is, there isn’t really a bad time to visit Gozo. The island enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
If you want to bask in the heat or take a dip in its warm waters, it’s best to visit during the summer season, July to August, when temperatures can climb above 20 degrees and rain is a rare occurrence.
But don’t overlook the shoulder seasons, in the spring (April and May) and Autumn (September to November). Temperatures hover between 21°C and 27°C, and there are fewer tourists, so you can explore the island without the crowds.
If you’re chasing some last-minute sun, now might be the perfect time to visit, although cooler than the summer seasons, the mercury is currently climbing to 23°C.
Meanwhile, the winters offer milder weather between 16-17°C during the day and 9-11°C at night. December is the wettest month, and visitors should prepare for some light showers.
What to do in Gozo
For a small island, Gozo packs in a lot of history, stretching back 7000 years and encompassing Roman, Arabic, Phoenician, Sicilian, French and British influences.
The island is said to have been the home to the mythological nymph Calypso, who in Homer’s Odyssey holds Odysseus as a ‘prisoner of love’ in a cave for seven years. A popular tourist attraction located at the island’s red-sandy beach Ramala Bay, the cave is closed to the public due to ‘geological activity’.
The Azure Window is another landmark lost to the elements. Once the main draw to the island, the natural limestone arch collapsed during a storm in 2017.
The arch stood 50 metres high and was featured in several films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones. Now, its rocky remains are a popular diving spot.
Divers head to the Blue Hole, a vertical chimney about 25m deep and 10m that connects to the open sea through an underwater arch. As you dive, you can spot the remains of the Azure Window. Moby Dives is a popular diving school in Gozo, that also caters to beginners.
Beyond its history, Gozo boasts some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world, including the Ggantija Temples, which were constructed during the Neolithic period, also known as the Stone Age, in 3600 BC.
A dedicated Unesco World Heritage site, these are the earliest Megalithic Temples of Malta and pre-date the pyramids.
Meanwhile, the island’s capital, Victoria, known locally as Rabat, is home to the Citadel, a historic fortress built during the medieval ages.
Tripadvisor reviews describe it as a ‘beautiful place full of history. One review left by JandPTravels, read: ‘If you like history, you will love this place. It oozes out of every wall and room. Amazing views over Gozo, and some very interesting sites and museums.’
Another, by Traveltiger, declared it an ‘incredibly impressive fortress with spectacular views across the island’.
If you’re not one for sightseeing, there’s still plenty to enjoy. The rust-coloured Ramla Bay is known for having the softest sand on the island and is undoubtedly Gozo’s most popular beach.
The sprawling stretch of sand has been attracting visitors since the Roman period, the remains of a Roman villa are hidden amid the bamboo behind the beach.
The Salt Pans, on the north coast of Gozo outside the resort town of Marsalforn, are also worth a visit. The 350-year-old patchwork of salt pans stretches 1.8 miles across the coast.
Where to stay in Gozo
The island is home to a range of accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets – from stone farmhouses and luxury villas to sleek hotels.
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The gateway to the island Mgarr Harbour, boats plenty of hilltop stays with views of the Mediterranean Sea, namely The Grand Hotel – a four-star hotel with sea views, spacious suites and swimming pools.
The island’s central-based capital, Victoria, is home to plenty of boutique hotels and B&Bs, with prices ranging from around £70-£80 per person per night in November.
The western coast boasts the picturesque villages of Gharb and San Lawrenz, where you’ll find the five-star Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, a luxurious limestone-carved hotel, boasting five swimming pools, subtropical gardens and views of the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, the northern coast area of Zebugg, close to the salt pans and Ramala Bay has several options, including the Hotel Calypso and Cornucopia Hotel.
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