A week in Gozo: Is it worth visiting & what to expect
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Malta and wondering whether Gozo is worth more than just a day trip? We spent a full week there with a toddler and this is everything we wish we’d known before we went, the best beaches, where to eat, how to get around, and whether the island lives up to the hype.
Gozo is stunning. I’ve never seen water glisten under the sun like that, and the photos don’t really do it justice.
It caught me off guard in other ways too. I wasn’t expecting it to feel quite so unpolished. Stone buildings, a bit of building work here and there, local shops that don’t look like shops at all, in fact we walked past what turned out to be a bakery three times before we realised someone was behind that door making fresh bread. But it is all part of the charm.
For anyone who hasn’t heard of it, Gozo is part of the Maltese archipelago, a small island just a short ferry ride from Malta. It’s quieter, slower, and in my opinion, a little more special.
We spent a full week here on a family holiday in Gozo. It was brilliant for kids. The locals were extremely friendly and just loved our little one.
We were lucky enough to have family here, which is how we ended up staying in Qala rather than the usual tourist spots. I think that made all the difference.
If you’re wondering whether Gozo is worth visiting with little ones, here’s an honest look at what the island is actually like as a family destination.
If you’re starting to plan your trip to Gozo, head over to our Gozo travel guide, which includes other guides for beaches, ferries, things to do and travel tips.
How to get to Gozo
If you’re visiting Gozo independently, once you land at Malta Airport your next step is the ferry. We got a taxi from the airport to Cirkewwa, which is the most popular crossing point and the one that takes cars. There’s also a ferry from Valletta if you’re coming from the capital, though that one is foot passengers only.
For full details on both options, timings and what the journey is like with a toddler, see our guide on how to get from Malta to Gozo.
If you’re based in Malta and just want a taste of Gozo, there are plenty of organised day trips that include return transport and time to explore, many also stop at the Blue Lagoon. Boat trips are another option if you want a more relaxed day out, usually with a snorkelling stop or two.
👉 Find day trips to Gozo on GetYourGuide and Viator
👉 Find boat trips for a couple of hours on GetYourGuide and Viator
How long to stay in Gozo?
We spent a full week in Gozo and never ran out of things to do. How long you need really depends on what you’re after.
If you’re based in Malta and only have a day, you can cover the highlights – Victoria, the Citadel, and a quick swim, but you’ll feel rushed and you’ll barely scratch the surface.
Two or three days gives you enough time to explore the beaches properly, wander a few villages, and actually start to feel the pace of the place.
A full week is what we’d recommend, especially with young kids. There’s no pressure to cram anything in, you can revisit your favourite spots, and you get to experience the island rather than just tick it off. See our Top 10 Things to Do in Gozo for ideas on how to fill your time.
Exploring Gozo’s towns and villages
Victoria, known locally as Rabat, is the capital and the busiest part of the island by some distance. After a few days of Gozo’s unhurried pace, the cobbled streets and gorgeous old brick buildings felt like areal change of scenery. You could easily just sit with a coffee and watch the world go by.
We didn’t make it to the Citadel, our little girl was only one and it was extremely hot the day we’d planned to go, so we give it a miss. If your kids are a bit older it’s worth adding to your list, a hilltop fortress with sweeping views across the island. But with a baby in tow on a hot day, there’s no shame in skipping it.
A few other towns worth knowing about: Xaghra sits close to the Ggantija Temples and has a lovely traditional feel. Marsalforn is a small seaside town with a good selection of restaurants. Xlendi is probably a favourite for an evening, you can swim, eat fresh seafood, and watch the sun go down over the water.
We stayed with family in Qala, which rarely gets a mention in travel guides. It’s a quiet residential village with none of the tourist trappings, and staying there gave us a completely different feel for the island than we’d have got in one of the more popular spots.
👉 Check this full day exploring Gozo’s temples on GetYourGuide
Best beaches in Gozo for families
Gozo isn’t all about beaches but the ones it has are worth the trip alone. Our favourite was Hondoq ir-Rummien, just down from Qala. It’s pebbled rather than sandy, but don’t let that put you off, the water was absolutely clear, full of little rocks perfect for snorkelling, and on the day we went it was packed with locals which gave it a really lovely atmosphere. There’s a café, water sports, and a cliff edge popular with divers. It had everything.
Ramla Bay is the one most people head to, and it’s easy to see why. The sand is a deep red colour, thick underfoot, and in July the water felt like a warm bath. It’s a bit deeper than Hondoq so worth keeping an eye on little ones, but there’s a wooden boardwalk at the back, somewhere to wash your feet, and a café nearby. We didn’t make it to San Blas or Xlendi, but both come highly recommended. San Blas for its seclusion and Xlendi for an evening paddle. For a full rundown of the best beaches in Gozo for families, including what each one is like with a toddler, head to our Gozo beaches guide.
While Gozo doesn’t have loads of sandy stretches, the ones it does have are safe, scenic, and perfect for kids. You can read our dedicated Gozo beaches guide.
Gozo’s food scene
The food in Gozo is hearty, fresh and seriously good. Every morning my uncle would head to the local bakery and come back with a bag of pastizzis, which are flaky pastry parcels filled with either peas or cheese, still warm. I could have eaten them every day. To be honest, I think I did!
Rabbit stew is Malta’s national dish and something you’ll see on most menus, I didn’t try it myself but it comes highly recommended if you’re feeling adventurous with the local cuisine.
As someone who loves fish, Gozo felt made for me. I didn’t have a single bad meal the whole week. We mostly ate around Qala, but next time I’d make more of an effort to get into Xlendi and Marsalforn, both of which have a great reputation for seafood restaurants right on the water.
👉 Check this Victoria food and walking tour on Viator
👉 Check this Victoria sunset walking food and drink tour on GetYourGuide
Things to do in Gozo with kids
With a one year old in tow, the beach was the highlight for her, and that was more than enough for her at the time.
We visited a craft village which was a lovely couple of hours, the kind of place you could easily lose track of time browsing local makers. We also stumbled across the salt pans which are worth a wander, great for little ones who like poking around in rock pools.
When we go back, she will be a bit older and so we will definitely be adding the water sports activities to our list, such as kayaking, snorkelling and boat trips which are available at most beaches. For families with older kids, the Citadel in Victoria, the Ggantija Temples and Ta’ Mena Estate, which does farm visits and tastings are all worth adding to your list.
Nightlife in Gozo
With a one year old, our evenings were pretty much beach, bath, bed. We weren’t exactly hitting the bars.
That said, Gozo does have a nightlife scene for those lucky enough sample it. Xlendi has seafront bars with sea views, perfect for a cocktail or two as the sun goes down. Victoria has live music and quieter wine bars if you fancy something a bit more laid back. From what family have told us, most places are happy to serve food late and relaxed about prams, so even if you are travelling with kids, an early evening out is very doable.
History and culture in Gozo
Gozo has a lot of history if you’re interested in it. We visited Ta’Pinu Basilica, a striking church sitting up on the hillside, and it was one of those places that stopped us in our tracks with its beauty. Outside, there’s a huge wall covered in mosaic tiles that is really something to see. Inside it’s vast and incredibly quiet, and on an extremely hot day it was also, if we’re being completely honest, a very welcome bit of shade. They provide a cover for your shoulders at the door if they’re bare.
We didn’t make it to the Ggantija Temples or the Citadel this time, but both are high on the list for next time. The temples are said to be older than the pyramids, and the Citadel sits above Victoria with views across the whole island.
Wherever you wander in Gozo, you’ll come across ancient windmills, hilltop chapels and old forts. History is just part of the fabric of the place.
Getting around Gozo
We hired a car for the week and it was genuinely one of the best decisions we made. Roads in Gozo are quiet, distances are short, and they drive on the left like we do in the UK which made things a bit easier. It gave us the freedom to go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted, which with a one year old is a must. We used DiscoverCars and found them reliable and good value.
👉 Check car hire in Gozo on DiscoverCars
We didn’t use buses or taxis on this trip, but we wouldn’t rule either out next time. Buses are cheap and cover the island reasonably well and the Tallinja app helps with timetables. Taxis are fine for the odd journey but can add up if you’re relying on them regularly.
Snorkelling and diving in Gozo
Gozo has a big reputation among divers and it’s easy to understand why. The water clarity is exceptional, visibility can reach up to 40 metres thanks to low algae levels and water temperatures stay warm year round.
The Blue Hole at Dwejra is probably the most well known dive site, particularly since the collapse of the Azure Window in 2017. There are PADI dive centres across the island catering for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced divers.
We didn’t dive or snorkel ourselves on this trip, but it’s very much on the list. The water at Hondoq alone had us peering down at the rocks wishing we’d brought masks.
👉 Scuba diving from experienced divers to beginners on GetYourGuide
👉 Check boat trips with snorkelling on GetYourGuide
Budget: Is Gozo affordable?
For a Mediterranean island, Gozo is really good value. We stayed in an Airbnb, my uncle’s place didn’t have air con, and in that heat we weren’t willing to compromise on that. We went for a place with a private pool that slept six, which came to around £1,200 for the week. That sounds like a lot but split between a group it was very reasonable, and having a pool with a one year old was worth every penny.
Food is affordable by European standards. We found mains around €10-15 with generous portions, and nothing felt overpriced. The best things to do on the island, like the beaches, the salt pans, wandering through Victoria all cost nothing at all.
👉 Check accommodation on Booking.com
Cash vs card in Gozo
Most places in Gozo take card without any issues, but we did come across a few smaller kiosks and village cafés that preferred cash. It’s worth keeping a few euros in your pocket just in case. One thing worth knowing is that cash machines are few and far between on the island. We ended up having to wait until we were near the port to find one, so it’s worth drawing cash out before you make the crossing from Malta.
Who Gozo is (and isn’t) for
Gozo is a brilliant fit if you’re after a slower pace. Families with young kids, couples who want to actually switch off, or anyone who loves the water but doesn’t need a big resort to enjoy themselves. It’s the kind of place where doing very little feels like exactly the right choice.
It probably isn’t the one if you’re after a party holiday, plenty of nightlife, or a fast paced city break. Gozo is quiet by design, and if that’s not what you’re looking for, Malta itself might suit you better.
Final thoughts: Is Gozo worth visiting?
So, is Gozo worth visiting? Without question.
I’ve never seen water that clear in my life. The place is surrounded by history, the food is lovely, the weather is reliable, and the locals really make you feel welcome. There’s plenty to keep kids happy and enough to keep adults interested too, and if you’re into water sports, you’re in the right place.
It’s not a flashy destination and it doesn’t try to be. That’s exactly why we loved it. We’ll be back.
👉 Ready to start planning? Head to our Gozo Travel Guide for everything you need.
FAQs
More Gozo related blog posts:
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