The stunning Maltese island of Gozo boasts dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and 300 days of sunshine a year
When jetting off to a European destination during the winter months, travellers can’t predict too much about the kind of weather they’ll encounter.
Recently, Holly Clarke from the Liverpool Echo took a gamble with the weather and set off on a trip to Malta. Not only did she luck out in terms of climate, but the Mediterranean archipelago turned out to be an absolute gem.
From wandering the streets of the silent city of Mdina to soaking up the buzz and activity of the capital city, Valletta, there truly is something for everyone. This includes vibrant nightlife in St Julian’s, the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon, and enough churches on the island for every day of the year.
Holly left Manchester Airport at 7am and was strolling around the stunning Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also readily available from John Lennon Airport and various other airports across the UK.
The Republic of Malta comprises three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the largest population of the three at around 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.
Before she knew it, Holly was embarking on a ferry journey to the island of Gozo, which is in the process of developing a new £2million airport set to significantly reduce travel times from Malta. For now, the ferry service is direct and costs around 5 Euros for a return ticket.
Within a mere 20 minutes, she found herself on the stunning, less-visited island. The 26-square-mile expanse is renowned for its rugged landscape and breathtaking scenery, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It offers everything from delectable seafood, awe-inspiring views, to crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming.
Gozo is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with its dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. Another perk of the island is that it enjoys 300 days of sunshine – a fact that clinched the deal for Holly!
Many tourists opt to spend a night or two on the island, but Holly knew she only had a day, so there was no time to waste. Her chosen mode of transport was a tuk-tuk, provided by Yippee Malta, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Holly was chauffeured around by Joe, a lifelong resident of the island. As she sat in the back of the tuk-tuk, Holly admired the beautiful hills, which reminded her of the striking landscapes back in the UK. The key difference was the clear blue sky and bright yellow sun piercing through the clouds, a sight she hadn’t seen for several months back in England.
First on the agenda was a visit to a bay called Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling experience, facilitated by Gozo Adventures. It offered the perfect opportunity to tap into a more adventurous spirit whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the valley.
Having never climbed before, it’s fair to say Holly’s legs were shaking slightly as she looked up at the peak of the valley she was supposed to be scaling. However, after watching Cornil from Gozo Adventures’ comprehensive demonstration, Holly gave it her all and felt fantastic afterwards. Having worked up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s favourite part of any trip: the food. She hopped into a vehicle and headed to a marina restaurant, Il-Kartell. The seafood eatery was the perfect spot for lunch, located on the waterfront, offering views of the shimmering Mediterranean waters.
The restaurant prides itself on being “casual dining by the sea”, so she chose the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t disappointed. It will go down as one of the most memorable pasta dishes she has ever savoured.
It’s clear from just a few short hours on the island that life there is unhurried. Back home, it’s easy to find yourself grabbing a sandwich during your commute to work, or sometimes forgetting to grab anything at all.
In Malta and Gozo, both locals and tourists typically spend an hour or two relishing lunch. Starting with bread and olive oil, moving onto a pasta dish, and finishing with a double espresso, it was refreshing to take the time to slow down and appreciate the world a little more.
However, there was no room for a mid-afternoon slump as there was so much to discover before the ferry ride back to Malta. Next on the itinerary were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.
The northern coastline is characterised by a grid of rock-cut saltpans that are 350-years-old. They are fascinating to see and are also rich in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been passed down through many generations. On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Situated high above Ramla Bay, the cave offered the most breathtaking panoramic views of the bay and the coastline.
The cave can be reached via a brief 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s certainly a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make the trip. Holly entered the cave through a narrow gap in the rocks, then descended a few steps to one of the most spectacular views she has ever seen.
It was quite busy with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently waited her turn to snap a photo overlooking the bay.
A visit to Gozo wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Perched on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city that dominates the Gozian skyline, visible from across the island.
Located in Victoria, also known as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, the Citadel stands as one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks. The Citadel was once a thriving city before being transformed into a castle during the Middle Ages. Many of the ancient houses and palaces here have been renovated into museums and shops, making it a favourite destination for tourists.
Entry is free, and you could spend hours delving into its intriguing history and exploring its main attractions. We marvelled at the Cathedral of the Assumption, built entirely from local limestone. A simple walk around the Citadel offers panoramic views of the entire island of Gozo. For just 5 Euros, you can also explore the museums and historical sites on offer. Sadly, it was time to catch the ferry back to Malta, otherwise she could have easily spent several more hours here.
Had Holly stayed overnight, watching the sunset at the Citadel or taking an early morning dip in the crystal-clear waters would have been the perfect conclusion to the trip.
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For more information, visit visitmalta.com/en.
Holly stayed at the Malta Marriot Resort & Spa, with room rates starting from £147.
Ryanair operates flights from Manchester Airport to Malta starting at £42, and from Liverpool John Lennon starting at £32.
KM Malta Airlines offers flights from Heathrow to Malta starting at £111 and from Gatwick commencing at £86.
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