Gozo (in Maltese, Għawdex) is an island in Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (in Maltese, Repubblika ta’ Malta). After Malta, it’s the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago and one of the only three inhabited – the third is Comino (in Maltese, Kemmuna).

In comparison to the island of Malta, the island of Gozo is more rural and greener, offering a quainter experience of the country. One of its most popular tourist attractions is the Ġgantija Neolithic Temples (in Maltese, Tempji Neolitiċi tal-Ġgantija), which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980!

So, do you want to know more about 1 Day In Gozo: The Perfect Gozo Itinerary? Keep reading!

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Brief History of Gozo

According to historians, the island of Gozo has been inhabited since 5000 BC, probably by farmers coming from Sicily. However, the most important testimony of Gozo’s rich history is the Ġgantija Neolithic Temples and the Xagħra Stone Circle (in Maltese, Iċ-Ċirku tax-Xagħra).

Gozo was occupied by the Carthaginians, followed by the Greeks, and then by the Romans. In 1530, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V gifted the islands of Malta and Gozo to the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller.

Founded in the 12th century in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, this Catholic military order stayed in the country until 1798. During these 268 years, the Knights Hospitaller constructed the new capital city of Valletta and developed Maltese architecture and arts.

On June 10th, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Malta and Gozo. However, both islands became a British Protectorate on September 4th, 1800, and then the Crown Colony of Malta in 1813. The country achieved independence on September 21st, 1964, but it’s still part of the Commonwealth.

Visiting Gozo

In my opinion, the best way to visit Gozo is on a day trip from Valletta, on the island of Malta. You have two options to get there from the Maltese capital: travel by car (around 41 km) or public transport (1h31 minutes by bus and ferry – or by ferry and bus).

However, Gozo is also an excellent stop on a road trip through the Maltese Islands! In that case, I suggest exploring some destinations on the island of Malta: Saint Paul’s Bay (in Maltese, San Pawl il-Baħar) (25 km), Birkirkara (34 km), Żebbuġ (in Maltese, Ħaż-Żebbuġ) (35 km), Qormi (in Maltese, Ħal Qormi) (36 km), and Żabbar (in Maltese, Ħaż-Żabbar) (44 km).

Gozo Itinerary

Port tal-Imġarr

This Gozo itinerary begins at Mġarr Harbour (in Maltese, Port tal-Imġarr), the first sight you’ll probably see when you arrive by ferry, whether you’re coming from Ċirkewwa (around 25 minutes with Gozo Channel) or Valletta (around 45 minutes with Gozo Highspeed).

Located in south-eastern Gozo, the Mġarr Harbour is very tourist-focused, with several restaurants, bars, hotels, car rentals, boat rentals, and cruise agencies. If you didn’t plan your Gozo itinerary, this is the perfect place to organize your day trip!

Tempji Neolitiċi tal-Ġgantija

The next stop on this Gozo itinerary is the Ġgantija Neolithic Temples, one of the six “Megalithic Temples of Malta” that were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1980 and 1992. The other five temples are the Ta’ Ħaġrat, Skorba, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, and Tarxien.

Older than the Pyramids of Egypt, the Ġgantija Neolithic Temples were erected more than 5,500 years old – which makes them the world’s oldest free-standing temples and the world’s second-oldest religious constructions made by man, after Göbekli Tepe in Turkey!

In-Nadur

This Gozo itinerary continues in Nadur (in Maltese, In-Nadur), an administrative unit of Malta and one of the largest cities in Gozo. Situated on the easternmost hill of the island, it offers one of the best views of Gozo and the Mediterranean Sea!

The best places to visit in Nadur include the Tal-Mixta Cave, San Blas Beach, Ta’ Kenuna Tower, Nadur Parish Church, and Daħlet Qorrot Beach (in Maltese, Għar Tal-Mixta, Bajja San Blas, Torri Ta’ Kenuna, Knisja Parrokkjali tan-Nadur, and Bajja Daħlet Qorrot).

Bajja tax-Xlendi

The next stop on this Gozo itinerary is Xlendi Bay (in Maltese, Bajja tax-Xlendi), a photogenic seaside destination thanks to its monumental cliffs and crystal-clear blue waters. Located in the southwest of the island, this tiny resort village features many restaurants, bars, and hotels.

Xlendi Bay has something to offer to all types of tourists: a sandy and pebbly beach with shallow waters for families, underwater tunnels and deeper waters for diving and snorkeling aficionados, scenic hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts, the imposing Xlendi Tower for history lovers, etc..

Kappella Sant’ Anna

This Gozo itinerary continues in the Chapel of Saint Anne (in Maltese, Kappella Sant’ Anna), the last chapel to be built in the countryside of Gozo. Designed by a local architect named Joseph Mizzi, this religious temple was blessed on July 25th, 1963.

The Chapel of Saint Anne was built in honor of Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Both figures can be seen at the center of the main altarpiece, which was painted by another local artist called Ninu Apap in 1989. The Gozitans (in Maltese, Għawdxin) celebrate the Feast of Saint Anne on July 26th.

Dwejra

The next stop on this Gozo itinerary is the Inland Sea (in Maltese, Dwejra), a seawater lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea thanks to a long tunnel through the nearby rocky cliffs. Also known in Maltese as Qawra, it’s easily one of the most scenic destinations in Gozo!

If the weather allows it, you can hop on a Luzzu – a traditional bright-colored fishing boat typical of the Maltese islands – and go on a boat tour to the Fungus Rock, Tilt Rock Il, Crocodile Rock, Bob’s Rock, Bobette’s Rock, and the now-lost Azure Window.

Bajja tad-Dwejra

This Gozo itinerary continues in the Dwejra Bay (in Maltese, Bajja tad-Dwejra), one of the most breathtaking places I’ve visited in the world. From the phenomenal coastal formations to the dramatic splashes of seawater coming from the violent waves, Dwejra Bay is a mesmerizing live show.

As I mentioned before, the Azure Window or Dwejra Window (in Maltese, Tieqa Żerqa or Tieqa tad-Dwejra) was a natural arch that collapsed due to a storm on March 8th, 2017. Since then, the Blue Hole Dive Site has become the main attraction of the area among locals and tourists.

Rabat

This Gozo itinerary ends in Victoria (in Maltese, Rabat), the capital city of the island. When the town was given city status in 1887, the British government also changed its name in honor of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, at the request of Sir Pietro Pace, the then Bishop of Gozo.

The best places to visit in Victoria include the Villa Rundle Gardens, Saint George’s Basilica, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Citadel, and the Il-Ħaġar Museum (in Maltese, Ġonna Villa Rundle, Bażilika ta’ San Ġorġ, Katidral tal-Assunta, Ċittadella, and Mużew Il-Ħaġar).

Map of the Gozo Itinerary

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Where Do I Make My Reservations?

• Hotels and Accommodation: Booking.com
• Tours and Activities: GetYourGuide

What Photography Gear Do I Use?

• Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless
• Camera Lens: Fujinon XF 18-55 mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
• Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action
• Small Tripod: Manfrotto PIXI Mini
• Smartphone Adaptor: Manfrotto PIXI Clamp
• Memory Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC