Gozo & Comino

Gozo is a little gem and somewhat different to it’s larger sister Malta. The pace of life is slow, the people are relaxed and laid back, its more rural, there are less cars on the road, there are more secluded beaches and the residents call themselves Gozitans before calling themselves Maltese.

“If you are thinking of visiting somewhere special and laid back for your next holiday in the Mediterranean, then Gozo is definately one to consider”

The capital of Gozo is Victoria but still referred to by the locals as Rabat, the capital is small and houses narrow streets and large piazza’s typical of the towns and cities built by the Knights of St John. In Rabat one would find all the ameneties that may not be found in the smaller villages of this lovely Island, including a couple of shopping malls, a cinema, numerous cafes and tea bars as well as a hawker’s market.

There is no airport on the Island of Gozo so visitors arrive by ferry boat from Malta which is operated by the Gozo Channel and takes approximately 25 minutes to get to the Mgarr harbour from the Cirkewwa ferry terminal in Malta or 45 minutes with the fast ferry service in Valletta. Ferries are frequent and on average cross from either Gozo or Malta every 45 minutes or so. Prices for Gozo ferry tickets vary depending on whether you are travelling on foot, with a bycicle, motorbike, vehicle, commercial vehicle, trailer etc.

Holidays in Gozo are fast becoming a popular choice for many who have visited Malta's second most inhabited Island on a previous visit. In terms of population, Malta is the most inhabited, with Gozo having 37,000 residents, whilst Comino having only 4 full time residents.

Gozo, with tiny Comino is a place to escape to at any time of the year, even if you are on holiday in Malta. Accommodation is mainly provided in Gozo farmhouses and holiday apartments as there is ony a small number of hotels in Gozo. The people are welcoming and friendly, the countryside both dramatic and picturesque and if you want to get away from it all, you can. It has all the essential ingredients that make Gozo an ideal holiday destination.

Gozo has a lot to offer, with some dive sites that are considered to be amongst the best dive sites in the world due to several historical wrecks in the areas. Gozo's coast has a variety of secluded bays, coves and beautifull inlets with natural caves and exotic landscapes. The surrounding mediterranean sea around Gozo has an abundance of marine life including some coral found atthe Azure Window, that enjoy some spectacular scenery from all sides of the island. Scuba Divers often claim to discover new historical artifacts and items of historical value. The crystal clear waters offer fantaistic visibility and sea temperatures rarely go lower than around 15 degrees. Gozo also offers some great country Walks most enjoyable between april and late October when the Gozitan countryside springs to life offering majestic panoramas and scenery. The island is known to be so much greener than its sister mainland island of Malta . On Gozo, whether your interest lies in water sports, sailing, swimming, snorkeling or simply lazing in the sun, theres lots to see and do from rock climbing, hiking, paragliding, deep sea fishing, wining and dining or enjoying the local folklore, festas and a wealth of historic sites. Gozo also has its own nightlife, with some excellent pubs, bars and restaurants, clubs and discos.

Gozo, is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago of islands, situated right in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. Gozo Together with the smaller island of Comino and the main island of Malta form the Republic of Malta which is now a full European union member. From beautiful hidden beaches, tranquil local hamlets and villages, prehistoric stone temples that are understood to be over 5000 years old, making them the oldest free standing stone temples in the world, pre-dating the pyramids of Egypt. The island of Gozo is was originally called The Island of Calypso, that originatated from Greek mythology as the fabled island inhabited by the nymph Calypso in Homer's Odyssey.

The charm of Gozo is apparent the moment you arrive there. Greener, more rural and smaller than Malta, life on Gozo moves at a leisurely pace.  The rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. In winter and spring, the Island is covered with flowering herbs and lush crops. Its rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration. Choose from rocky inlets to red sand beaches or sail, snorkel, dive and fish. Gozo has some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites. But there’s more. Gozo comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas. Plus one of the archipelago’s best-preserved prehistoric temples, Ggantija. Not to mention a nightlife and cultural calendar all its own, and some great dining out. At every turn one finds oleanders, geraniums and bougainvillea in full bloom in summer and lush crops in the fields in winter, while picturesque villages with imposing baroque parish churches and charming Gozitan farmhouses dot the countryside.

In 2014 Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt completed filming their romantic drama "By The Sea" in Mgarr Ix Xini bay just off Sannat and in the Village square of Gharb, so this shuld be on your to do list when visiting Gozo.

Even if you are there for a short visit, it is easy to see why Gozo has become known as undiscovered paradise.