Gozo & Comino

Gozo (in Maltese Għawdex) is Malta's little sister — and for many visitors, the more beautiful of the two islands. Only 14 km long and 7 km wide, with 37,000 inhabitants, Gozo is what Malta was 50 years ago: rural, relaxed, and authentic. Terraced fields, wild blooming maquis, sleepy villages with disproportionately large baroque churches, and a coastal landscape ranging from gentle bays to dramatic cliffs.

Gozo can be reached by ferry from Ċirkewwa (northern tip of Malta) to Mġarr on Gozo — a 25-minute crossing, every 45 minutes, 4.65€ round trip (payment only on the return). The island can be explored in a day, but to truly feel Gozo's rhythm, stay at least 2–3 nights. The evenings on Gozo, when the day-trippers are gone and the villages are bathed in golden light, are among the most beautiful moments of a Malta trip.

Transport on Gozo: The bus network (line 300s) covers the entire island but is less frequent than in Malta. A rental car (from 25€/day) or a quad (from 35€/day) offers maximum freedom. Alternatively: Hop-on-hop-off bus (20€/day) for the main stops.

Victoria (Rabat) is Gozo's capital and only urban center — a lively town with 6,000 inhabitants, crowned by the Citadella, a medieval fortress that has watched over the entire island for centuries.

The Citadella

Gozo's absolute highlight. The Citadella was built on the highest point of the island and offers a 360° panoramic view over all of Gozo, to Malta, and on clear days to Sicily. The fortress was the refuge for the Gozitans during pirate raids for centuries — the entire population took shelter here. After a devastating Ottoman raid in 1551, during which almost the entire population was enslaved, the Citadella was massively expanded.

Within the walls, you will find:

• Cathedral of the Assumption: The baroque cathedral (1697–1711) has a fascinating feature: the painted false dome. Due to a lack of funds for a real dome, Antonio Manuel painted a deceptively real dome on the flat ceiling — an optical illusion that works perfectly from below.
• Old Prisons: Cells with centuries-old graffiti by prisoners — ships, crosses, and names carved into the limestone.
• Natural History Museum & Archaeological Museum: Both small but with interesting finds from Gozo's long history.
• Bastions: The walk along the fortress walls is the real star — a different, breathtaking view from every side.

Citadella admission: The fortress itself is freely accessible. Museums and cathedral: 5€ each or combo ticket 9€.

Victoria Old Town

Below the Citadella lies Victoria's vibrant old town with Pjazza Indipendenza (It-Tokk) as its center. Here, Gozitans meet for morning coffee, shopping at the market, and evening chats. The streets around the square are full of bakeries, wine shops, and small restaurants. Best visited in the morning when the market is in full swing.

Gozo's coast is more spectacular than Malta's: more dramatic, wilder, less built-up. From steep cliffs to sea caves to tranquil bays, the small island offers an astonishing variety of landscapes — and some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean.

Dwejra & the Azure Window

The Dwejra Bay on the west coast is Gozo's most dramatic coastal section. Until 2017, the famous Azure Window (Tieqa tad-Dwejra) stood here — the iconic rock arch that became world-famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones and collapsed during a storm. The ruins lie underwater and are now a top diving spot. But Dwejra offers much more:

• Blue Hole: A natural, circular hole in the rock, connected to the open sea via an underwater arch. One of the most famous diving and snorkeling spots in the world. Spectacular from above, breathtaking underwater.
• Inland Sea (Qawra): A natural inland sea, connected to the ocean by an 80-meter-long tunnel. Fishermen navigate through the tunnel with small boats — a ride costs 4€ and is surrealistically beautiful.
• Fungus Rock (Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral): A massive limestone rock off the coast, where a rare fungus once grew, valued for its healing powers. The knights protected it with guards.

Diving on Gozo

Gozo is considered one of the top 10 diving spots in Europe. Crystal-clear waters with visibility of over 30 meters, underwater caves, rock arches, sunken wrecks, and a rich marine fauna make the island a paradise for divers of all experience levels. The main dive sites:

• Blue Hole (Dwejra): The star among Gozo's dive sites. Dive through the Blue Hole to the underwater arch of the former Azure Window. For certified divers.
• Inland Sea Tunnel: Dive through the natural tunnel and ascend on the sea side between rock walls — unique.
• Xatt l-Aħmar: Easy entry, underwater caves, and seagrass meadows. Perfect for beginners.
• MV Karwela Wreck: A passenger steamer deliberately sunk in 2006 near Xatt l-Aħmar, at a depth of 40m. For advanced divers.

Dive schools are available in Marsalforn, Xlendi, and Mġarr. A Discover Scuba (introductory dive) costs around 55€, a certified dive 35–55€.

Ramla Bay

Gozo's most beautiful beach: a wide bay with unusually red sand, surrounded by green hills. The water is shallow and clear — perfect for families. Above the beach lie the ruins of the Calypso Cave, which, according to legend, Homer described as the home of the nymph Calypso, who held Odysseus captive for seven years. Even outside the season, a beautiful place for hiking.

Comino (Kemmuna) lies between Malta and Gozo and is the smallest of the three inhabited islands — although "inhabited" is relative: Only one hotel and a handful of farmers live here permanently. The island is 3.5 km², car-free, and almost entirely unspoiled. Comino's name comes from "Cumin," which once grew wild here.

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon (Il-Bejta l-Blu) is Malta's most famous attraction — and rightly so. The shallow bay between Comino and the rocky islet of Cominotto has water of surreal turquoise color, so clear that boats seem to float. The white sandy bottom and limestone reflect the light and create these unreal hues that make every photo look like Photoshop — but it really looks like that.

The reality: In high summer (July/August), the Blue Lagoon is hopelessly overcrowded. Hundreds of boats and thousands of visitors crowd into the small bay. To enjoy the lagoon, there are two strategies:

• Arrive early: Take the first ferry from Ċirkewwa or Mġarr (around 8:30 am). At 10 am, the lagoon is still paradisiacally empty. From 11 am, it gets crowded.
• Off-season: In May, June, September, or October, the Blue Lagoon is much quieter — and the water just as beautiful.

Getting to Comino

Ferries run from Ċirkewwa (Malta) and Mġarr (Gozo) to the Blue Lagoon. The crossing takes 20–25 minutes and costs 10–13€ round trip. In summer, boats run every 30–60 minutes, less frequently in the off-season. Alternative: Private boat charter from Sliema or Bugibba (from 25€ including snorkeling stops).

Comino beyond the Lagoon

Most visitors only see the Blue Lagoon — yet Comino has much more to offer. The island is crisscrossed with hiking trails leading to secluded bays, Comino's Blue Grotto, the Santa Marija Tower (1618), and the abandoned hospital. A hike around the island (about 2–3 hours) rewards with spectacular cliffs, wild thyme scent, and sea views without a soul in sight. Important: There is no drinking water and no shade on Comino — bring enough water and sun protection!