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Gozo
For such a small island, Gozo packs in a wide variety of experiences and attractions. Travelling history fans shouldn't miss the megalithic temples at Ġgantija, and the recently restored Il-Kastell fortress towering above Gozo's compact capital of Victoria is one of Malta's finest sights. Mountain biking, kayaking and clifftop hiking are all opportunities for active visitors, while Gozo's food and wine scene focuses strongly on fresh local produce and briny-fresh seafood. While Malta can sometimes feel busy and crowded, sleepy and laid-back Gozo offers the perfect opportunity to breathe out and relax.
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Gozo.
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Il-Kastell
While the walls surrounding Il-Kastell date from the 15th century, there have been fortifications atop this flat-topped hill since the Bronze Age: it developed under the Phoenicians and later became a Roman town. After terrible raids on Gozo by the Turks, it became customary for all the island's families to stay within Il-Kastell overnight, a practice that lasted into the 17th century. Walk almost all the way around the city walls, for astounding views over Gozo and towards the sea Also known locally as the Ċittadella, an excellent new visitor centre experience opened in 2016 to complement Il-Kastell's compact array of interesting museums. Inside the walls are also arts and crafts shops specialising in silver jewellery and traditional Gozitan lace. Entry to Il-Kastell includes the Ċittadella Visitors' Centre and entry to four museums falling under the Heritage Malta banner: the Archaeology Museum, the Old Prison, the Gozo Nature Museum and the Gran Castello Historic House.
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Cathedral of the Assumption
Built between 1697 and 1711 to replace a church destroyed by a 1693 earthquake (which was in southern Italy but caused damage as far Gozo), the cathedral was designed by Lorenzo Gafa, also responsible for St Paul's Cathedral at Mdina. The elegant facade is adorned with the escutcheons of Grand Master Ramon de Perellos and Bishop Palmieri. Due to a lack of funds the dome was never finished, but a trompe l'œil painting makes it look as if it were.
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Heart of Gozo
This innovative small museum was founded by the Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria to exhibit treasures belonging to the Basilica of St George as well as other artefacts, including coins and lamps from the Herod era in Israel and scrap silver amounting to the weight of a shekel. A column runs through all three floors showing the island's history from prehistoric Ġgantija through to British rule. There's an audio room, where you can listen to traditional local music.
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Archaeology Museum
Victoria's Archaeology Museum houses some incredible finds. There are some 'fat lady' carvings from Ġgantija Temples and Xagħra, around 3000 to 4000 years old. There are also Roman anchors, a 3rd-to-5th-century skeleton that was found buried in an amphora, Bronze Age jugs dating from 2400 to 1500 BC, and some fascinating Phoenician amulets in the form of the Eye of Osiris – an ancient link to the symbols seen on Maltese fishing boats of today.
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Ċittadella Visitors' Centre
Inaugurated in mid-2016 as part of the excellent restoration of Victoria's Il-Kastell, this award-winning visitors' centre includes a poignant and informative audiovisual presentation of the history of the site, and other interactive displays covering the history of Gozo and Malta. The spectacular architectural makeover cunningly makes use of capacious former water reservoirs built by the British in the 1870s.
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Pjazza Indipendenza
Victoria's main square hosts a daily market (6.30am to 2pm) and is known throughout the island as It-Tokk (the meeting place). The semicircular baroque building at the western end of the square is the Banca Giuratale, built in 1733 to house the city council. After being restored in 2016, it now hosts occasional art and cultural exhibitions.
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Cathedral Museum
This jumble of objects within the Cathedral Museum includes a zucchetto (skull cap) worn by Pope Francis, church gold and silver, some religious art (including a disturbing 19th-century painting depicting the martyrdom of St Agatha) and a 19th-century bishop's carriage.
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Gozo Nature Museum
This gracious old building houses a series of low-key exhibits explaining the geology of the island and its water supply. There are some interesting fossils downstairs, including huge megalodon shark teeth. Parts of the building were used as an air-raid shelter during WWII.
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Basilica of St George
The well-attended original parish church of Rabat dates from 1678, and the lavish interior contains a fine altarpiece of St George and the Dragon by Mattia Preti. Note that wearing shorts inside the church is not allowed.