Gozo Island

Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip

Gozo, Malta's smaller sister island reached by a 25-minute ferry crossing, is a world apart from the bustle of the main island — a rural, unhurried paradise of terraced hillsides, dramatic coastline, and deep-rooted traditions. The island's most famous landmark was the Azure Window, a massive natural limestone arch at Dwejra that collapsed into the sea in 2017, though the surrounding landscape remains spectacular, with the Inland Sea (a lagoon connected to the open Mediterranean through a tunnel in the cliff), Fungus Rock, and the Blue Hole — one of Europe's top diving sites. The Ġgantija Temples, dating to around 3,600 BC, are among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, predating both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by over a thousand years. The island's capital, Victoria (Rabat), is crowned by the Citadella, a fortified acropolis offering 360-degree views of the island and beyond. Gozo's coastline features hidden bays with crystal-clear waters — Ramla Bay with its distinctive red-orange sand is the island's most popular beach, while the remote Wied il-Għasri inlet, accessed by scrambling down a narrow valley, rewards with a fjord-like swimming experience. The island is also celebrated for its artisanal food, including fresh goat cheese (ġbejna), sun-dried tomatoes, and locally produced wine.

Planning the wider trip? The Malta planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes Gozo Island.