Day Trip to Gozo, Malta

Can you really say you’ve been to Malta if you haven’t done a day trip to Gozo? I don’t think so, and it was one of the first things I added to my “to-do in Malta” list.

Gozo is the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, just a short ferry ride away from the main island of Malta.

It’s a quieter, more laid-back alternative, known for its rural charm and slower pace of life. The island is small but packed with history, from ancient temples to fortified towns.

It’s easy to get around, with buses connecting the main attractions, but renting a car or scooter gives you more flexibility.

Don’t expect the same hustle and bustle as in Malta; instead, think of Gozo as a place to unwind, explore the countryside, and enjoy a more traditional Maltese experience.

Learn how to spend 1 day in Gozo while you are in Malta.

If you’re planning your own Malta visit, start with my Malta travel guide for an overview of the whole country and check out things to know before you go to be fully prepared.

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But Why Visit Gozo?

Gozo is a great spot if you’re after a mix of natural beauty, history, and a bit of adventure.

One of the island’s standout features is its unique landscape, including dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and the famous Azure Window—well, what’s left of it after it collapsed in 2017!

Gozo is also home to Ġgantija, a megalithic temple complex that’s older than the Pyramids of Giza.

For a tiny island, it’s got some quirky claims to fame too—like being the supposed home of the nymph Calypso from Homer’s Odyssey.

Visitors often find Gozo offers a more genuine taste of Malta, with locals who are proud of their traditions and happy to share stories.

Many visitors also combine their trip to Gozo with a stop at Malta’s third island of Comino, famous for its stunning Blue Lagoon, which is perfect for a swim or snorkelling.

The Easy Way to Do a Gozo Day Trip

From Valletta and Sliema, there are several types of day tours to Gozo, ranging from guided coach tours to small group trips and private excursions.

Some include stops on the way to explore Comino and the Blue Lagoon, while others focus solely on Gozo’s main attractions like the Citadel, Ġgantija Temples, and the coastal cliffs.

There are even options for more active travellers, like quad biking, cycling or hiking tours.

If you’re staying in an area of Malta outside of Valletta or Sliema, don’t worry—there are also tours departing from other towns around Malta, making it easy to find one that suits your plans.

The Half & Half Day in Gozo

You may not want to do a tour, but you may not want to entirely go it alone when you visit Gozo either, and there is a middle ground.

You can catch a ferry from Sliema or Bugibba (St Paul’s Bay) straight to Gozo, and from there get on the hop on hop off buses to explore the island.

It’s a flexible way to see the sights without the hassle of navigating yourself, and you’ll get a good overview of Gozo’s main attractions.

Plus, with the freedom to jump off wherever catches your interest, you can decide how long to spend at each spot.

It’s a nice balance between the convenience of a tour and the independence of doing it solo.

The DIY Day Trip to Gozo from Malta

If a tour isn’t for you, then there are many other ways to take independent day trips to Gozo, and that is exactly what we did.

We were visiting Malta without a car, so that meant we had to find out how to get to Gozo and then decide how to get around on Gozo once we were there.

Here’s how we planned our day on Gozo.

Getting To Gozo

We were using a public transport card to get around Malta, so for us, it was the public bus option to the north of the main island, and ferry across from there.

• Ferry from Ċirkewwa: The most common way to reach Gozo is by ferry from Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta. From Valletta or Sliema, you can take a bus or taxi to the ferry terminal. Buses 41, 42, 222, or X1 will get you there in about 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Ferry Timings: Ferries operate frequently, typically every 30–45 minutes, and run from early morning until late at night. The ferry ride itself takes about 25 minutes.
• Tickets and Prices: You don’t need to buy a ticket in advance; you’ll pay for a round trip when returning from Gozo. The fare is relatively cheap (around €5 for adults, €1.50 for children, and more if you’re bringing a vehicle).

While you don’t have to purchase your ferry ticket in advance, we did purchase ours at the terminal in Ċirkewwa.

We did sort of show it as we boarded the ferry, but I don’t think it mattered much and others didn’t seem to be showing tickets.

The tickets were definitely checked on the way back.

We caught a ferry over to Gozo at around 9:30 am, and it was so busy that not everyone who was waiting was able to get on that ferry and some had to wait for the next one.

If it’s a busy time of year (we were travelling in March, which I would not normally consider busy), I suggest aiming for an earlier ferry to beat the crowds.

Getting Around Gozo

Once over on Gozo, you will want a way to get around the island. Here are the most popular options.

• Public Transport: Gozo has a reliable bus service that connects the ferry terminal to major sights like Victoria (the capital), Dwejra, Xlendi, and Ramla Bay. However, the buses might not be very frequent, so check the schedules in advance.
• Car Rental: Renting a car or scooter offers the most flexibility to explore Gozo at your own pace. Rental services are available at the Mgarr ferry terminal. Remember to drive on the left side of the road!
• Tours and Taxis: Consider booking a guided tour or hiring a taxi for the day. This can be a great option if you want to cover a lot of ground quickly without worrying about navigation.

I looked carefully at the public transport routes and concluded that while it’s perfectly possible to plan a day on Gozo by public transport, that would be better suited to a 2- or 3-day visit.

I worried that if we missed a bus, the whole day would be thrown into chaos.

So we cheated and jumped on the Gozo Hop On Hop Off bus that was waiting right outside the ferry terminal.

Ideally, we should have been on the 9 am ferry and then been on the 9:45 am bus, but istead we didn’t leave until 10:30.

I am only a so-so advocate for hop-on hop-off buses. I find I want to get off at every stop, but that is never possible in the time frame given.

We took the purple bus, swapping to the blue bus in Victoria and were able to get on/off at the following stops:

• Rotunda St. John Baptist Church, Xewkija – Church with the world’s third highest unsupported dome. We then walked to the next stop, Savina Creativity (basically a gift shop filled with Gozo products) to meet the bus again.
• Xlendi – cute coastal town. We had a delicious lunch of Mussels and Maltese wine overlooking the bay at Ta’ Karolina.
• Victoria Citadella – explore the citadel in the capital of Victoria
• Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Shrine – a place of pilgrimage with a room filled with offerings left by people who believe their prayers were answered through the intercession of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu. Our bus stopped here for 5 minutes so we could have a Quick Look.
• Marsalforn – we walked the picturesque bay and had a great coffee at Coffee Circus Joy
• Ġgantija Temples – UNESCO-listed Megalithic temples older than the Pyramids of Giza
• Ta’ Kola Windmill – from the 1700s, now houses a small museum. Close to the Ġgantija Temples so easy to take a quick look at the same stop.

We were on the last bus back to the ferry terminal at around 5:30, crossing back to Malta just as the sun was going down.

Top Things to Do on Gozo

I’ve mentioned the places we were able to fit into our day on the hop on hop off bus, but that’s not all there is to do on Gozo, in fact, it barely scratches the surface.

Here are a few more Gozo attractions you may like to consider adding into your itinerary.

• Victoria (Rabat) and the Citadel: Start your day in the capital, Victoria. Visit the Citadel for stunning panoramic views, explore narrow streets, and visit the Gozo Cathedral.
• Dwejra Bay and Azure Window Ruins: Though the famous Azure Window has collapsed, Dwejra Bay is still a must-see for its dramatic coastal scenery, the Inland Sea, and Fungus Rock.
• Ramla Bay: A perfect spot for a swim or a relaxing beach break, known for its unique red sand.
• Xlendi and Marsalforn: Quaint seaside villages ideal for a leisurely walk or lunch with sea views. Xlendi is particularly popular for its stunning cliff walks.

Where to Eat

Gozo has a great food scene, with some of the best Maltese foods having their own version here on Gozo.

Ftira, for example, is considered to be best on Gozo, where it is served more like a pizza than an open sandwich. Give it a go at Maxokk Bakery in Nadur.

If you are looking for a place for lunch while you are on Gozo, here are my suggestions, depending on where you are.

• Ta’ Karolina in Xlendi is famous for its seafood and sea views. We had lunch of mussels, fresh bread and local wine here and would happily recommend it.
• Il-Kartell Restaurant in Marsalforn offers a mix of Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Cafe Jubilee in Victoria is a great spot for lighter meals or a coffee break.

Packing Essentials

Here are some reminders for the things you need to pack for your day over on Gozo.

• Comfortable Shoes: Gozo is best explored on foot, especially in areas like Victoria and the Citadel.
• Sun Protection: Malta gets a lot of sun, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Even in March, I was afraid I was going to get a little sunburnt.
• Swimwear and Towel: If you plan to swim at Ramla Bay or visit the Blue Lagoon, don’t forget your swim gear.
• Water and Snacks: Carry water and some snacks, especially if you plan to do some hiking or explore more remote areas.

Timing and Itinerary

I suggest you spend some time planning your Gozo itinerary before your visit. There is more to do here than will comfortably fit into a single day, so you will need to make some choices.

How you get around will dictate some of your day, but remember streets are very narrow and traffic moves slowly, so it will take longer than you expect to get around such a small island.

• Start Early: To make the most of your day, aim for an early start. Catch the first ferry around 7–8 am.
• Prioritise Must-Sees: Plan your day around the sights you don’t want to miss. The Citadel and Dwejra Bay are often top choices.
• Be Flexible: Gozo is small, but some spots might take more time than expected. Keep your schedule flexible to soak in the island’s laid-back atmosphere.

Returning to Malta

We came back to Malta from Gozo as the sun was setting. We then caught the bus back to where we were staying in Il-Gżira, arriving around 9 pm.

Another option could be to have dinner while you are still on Gozo and catch a later ferry to really make the most of your day.

This could be perfect in summer, as the sun goes down much later then.

Don’t forget, if you didn’t purchase your ferry ticket on the way over, you will need to buy one for the return trip.

• Last Ferry: Check the last ferry schedule (usually around 11 pm, but it varies). Plan your day so you have plenty of time to return to Mgarr for the ferry back.
• Dinner in Gozo: Consider having dinner in Gozo before returning. A sunset meal at Xlendi or Marsalforn can be a beautiful end to your day.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be all set for an unforgettable day trip to Gozo, filled with culture, landscapes, and maybe even a bit of adventure!

So, Is Gozo Worth Visiting?

I give Gozo a resounding thumbs up. If you have 3 days or more in Malta, I think Gozo should definitely be on your itinerary, along with a day in Valletta and St John’s Co-Cathedral and a day visiting Mdina/Rabat and Marsaxlokk.

If you are staying in Malta for a week or more, I think 2 days in Gozo would be even better.

There is certainly enough to do on the island to fill two days, and that would give you time to really explore some of the villages and local culture.