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Best Things to do in Gozo and Malta Main island

Current time in Malta:

Malta was on our bucket list since forever. Located in the southernmost part of Europe, this island country seemed so much different to the others in the EU. Many nations were fighting for Malta throughout the ages, including the neighboring Sicily, France, Greece, and finally United Kingdom. The latter ruled Malta long after World War II. Finally, in 1964 Malta becomes independent. The country not only has a fascinating history but also beautiful landscapes that attract tourists from all over the world. There are so many things to do in Gozo and Malta main island that some travelers keep coming back there every summer.

In this post you will get to know the basic info about Malta, discover the best places to visit in Gozo, see recommended Malta excursions, find out where to eat in Malta, get to know the best places to stay in Malta, and more.

Top Things to do on Gozo

Find best Gozo car hire here.

Visiting Gozo should definitely be a part of your Malta itinerary. It’s less touristy and cheaper than the main island. Keep on reading to discover the best things to do Gozo, and how to get there from Malta.

The Citadel

Visiting Cittadella is one of top things to do in Gozo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been inhabited since 1500 BC! It is quite huge, there are churches, museums, shops inside the walls.

There is no admission fee to the Citadel, you will need to pay though to see exhibitions and get inside the museums.
 
We’ve been to Malta with toddler, Mia was just 1 year old during out stay there. It was quite difficult for us to get around the Citadel, as there are many steps inside. Too bad we didn’t take our baby carrier, sightseeing would be much easier with it (here you can check our favorite baby carrier that we always travel with).
citadel Gozo family couple toddler view
The citadel is one of the best places to visit in Gozo.

Ta’Pinu Basilica

Ta’Pinu is definitely the most beautiful of all the Gozo churches that we have seen. It’s located on the seaside, in the peaceful area of an island. There is nothing interesting around it, so all the travelers are going there only to visit Ta’Pinu Basilica.

We loved the sculptures that are surrounding this Gozo church. They are representing the Stations of the Cross.

ta'pinu basilica statue station of the cross
Of all the Gozo churches that we have seen, Ta’Pinu is the most impressive one.

Xlendi Cliffs and Beach

Xlendi was the most beautiful of all the best beaches in Gozo that we have seen. Too bad it was cold outside. We were dying to jump into the crystal clear Mediterranean sea.

There is a seaside walking path in Xlendi, so strolling there is one of the things to do in Malta in winter.

If you are visiting Malta in the summer, those are the other amazing Gozo beaches:

  • Hondloq beach Gozo
  • San Blas beach Gozo
  • Ramla beach Gozo
  • Marsalforn beach Gozo
  • Dahlet Qorrot beach Gozo
  • Gozo Blue Lagoon (it’s NOT located on the Gozo island, you need to take a ferry to the neighboring Comino to get to the Blue Lagoon beach Malta)

Of course there are more Gozo Malta beaches but those are the ones we liked the most.

Xlendi Cliffs and Beach aerial view
Xlendi is one of the Gozo best beaches.

Villa Rundle Garden

If you wonder what to do in Gozo with children, head to Villa Rundle. You can take a stroll through the garden, or simply relax in the shade of palm trees. Kids can visit the neighboring open-air playground.

It’s really huge! Mia could spend hours there, having fun, and playing with other children.

Villa Rundle Garden
Visiting Villa Rundle Garden and the neighboring playground is one of the things to do in Malta with kids.

Blue Hole (former Azure Window) & Gozo inland sea

World famous tourist attraction, considered as one of the most beautiful places in Malta has collapsed in 2017. Azure Window is still worth visiting though. The neighboring Gozo inland sea is one of the best snorkeling Malta spots. It’s rather a summer activity, as it may be simply too cold to jump into the water during the wintertime.

If you are diving as well, Gozo inland sea should be on top of your bucket list while in Malta.

Book your Snorkeling Malta Tour online here.

Azure Window no longer exists but it’s still worth visiting. The neighboring Gozo inland sea is one of the top places for Gozo snorkeling.

Wied il-Mielah

Azure Window may no longer exist but there is a pretty awesome alternative to that. Wied-il Mielah, located in the North of the island is a beautiful limestone arch.

For us, it is one of the best places to visit in Gozo. Wied-il Mielah window is not crowded and touristy. The views from the top of the cliffs are absolutely gorgeous. If you are spending your honeymoon in Malta, that’s definitely a place you should visit. Wied-il Mielah window is really romantic.

Wied-il Mielah limestone arch window view
Wied-il Mielah limestone arch is one of the best places to visit in Gozo.

Malta Sightseeing (Main Island Attractions)

Marsaskala

Staying at this small village was definitely a highlight of our trip to Malta! Marsaskala not only has a beautiful harbor but you can also find there a pretty famous diving and snorkeling Malta spot, called Zonqor Point.

Visiting Maraskala is one of the romantic things to do in Malta.

Marsascala harbor sea
Looking for a nice diving or snorkeling Malta spot? Head to Marsaskala.

Sant’Antnin Family Park

This place is a hidden gem of Malta, especially for those who are traveling with children. Sant’Antnin Family Park is a family-friendly place with an open-air playground and a small zoo.

If you are looking for Malta things to do with kids, it’s your place to go. The admission is free so it’s one of the free things to do in Malta.

Sant'Antnin Family Park zoo animals sheep
If you are traveling to Malta with children you need to visit Sant’Antnin Family Park.

Valletta

Valletta is arguably the best city in Malta. We absolutely love capital located on the seaside. There is nothing more beautiful than the old town at the shore.

The best way to explore the city is simply by wandering around (here you can book a guided Valletta Malta walking tour).

Check out this post for best places to visit in the capital city of Malta.

streets of valletta
Wandering around Valletta is one of the free things to do in Malta.

Popeye Village

Visiting Popeye Village is one of the best things to do in Malta with kids. This purpose-built, colorful film set village located on the seaside looks like a part of a fairy tale. During the visit, children can meet the movie characters, watch the shows, have fun in the playhouses, or visit one of the museums.

See the Sweethaven Village map here.

If you don’t feel like visiting this fun park, you can always go to Popeye Village Viewpoint, to take the photo like the one below.

Skip the lines and book your Popeye Village ticket online here.

popeye village
Visiting Popeye Village is one of the best things to do in Malta with kids.

Malta National Aquarium

Even though Aquarium is not that big it’s definitely worth visiting. It is one of our favorite things to do in Malta with kids.

Located in Saint Paul’s Bay, it’s where you can see the underwater life of Mediterranean Sea species.

Skip the lines and book your tickets to Malta National Aquarium online here.

Malta National Aquarium tunnel
Malta National Aquarium is one of the top things to do in Malta with kids.

Best Malta tours

Pub crawl Malta

There is no better way to experience Malta at night than joining a pub crawl tour. You will have a chance to make new friends, party, and have fun along the way. The first half an hour of free drinks will put you in a good mood.

Book your pub crawl Malta tour here.

Malta cruise

Hopping on a boat is a must while in Malta! There are many options out there. If you prefer sightseeing rather than partying, take 90 minutes Malta cruise from Silema to travel along the Marsamxett and Grand Harbour.

If you are on holiday to have fun, join a night party cruise. You will have a chance to make new friends, drink, and even swim in a moonlight.

You can also take a full day cruise to explore all the 3 Maltese islands: Gozo, Comino, and the main island. It’s one of the best Malta day trips ideas.

Book your Comino & Gozo tours here.

Gozo ferry terminal harbor
Taking Malta cruise is one of the top things to do while in the country.

Malta sightseeing bus tour

Taking hop on hop off Malta bus tour is one of the fastest and easiest way to see all the important places on the island. You can choose whether to stay on board for the entire time or leave if you want to explore the specific sight. Malta is quite small that’s why there are only one day tickets available. Hop on hop off bus Malta sightseeing tour is fully accessible.

Skip the line and book hop on hop off Malta bus tour online here.

Here you can book hop on hop off Gozo tour bus.

 

Malta food tour

Try traditional Maltese food while in Malta. You will guided by a local and be taken to the most amazing places to eat in the city.

Book your Valetta Malta food tour here.

Want to experience something amazing? There is a full-day Malta food tour available. You will travel to the rural areas to try the regional products, talk with farmers and get to know the local culture.

Book your Full-day Malta Food tour here.

More Malta guided tours:

 

Malta Travel Tips

If you care for your budget, consider buying Malta Travel card to get 50% off top attractions. See more here.

Below is a useful table with travel tips for Malta.

Malta currencyEuro
Money exchange MaltaAt the airport or anywhere on the islands. Use Multicurrency Card to reduce the fees.
Travel insurance MaltaBuy online with Wold Nomads
Malta taxi appTaxify (click to get the first ride for free). There is no Malta uber.
Malta taxi number+356 2138 3838
+356 2738 3838
+356 7717 6940
How many days in Malta?3-7 days
Best time to go to MaltaMay-October
Malta busses timetableClick here
Malta airport transferBook online here
Malta Gozo ferry timesAvailable here

3G (or LTE) signal is quite often weak on the islands. There are many wifi hotspots Malta available. Remember that it is never safe to use the public internet. It’s very easy to steal all your data, and clear your bank accounts. The best way to protect yourself is by using VPN Malta. The one we like the most can be purchased here.

Recommended books about Malta:

 

Where to Stay in Malta?

It would be too boring to stay in just one place while in Malta! We’ve been traveling around, changing our accommodation every few days, to get the most of the country. If you wonder where to stay Malta, below are some places worth recommending.

It’s hard to choose the best area to stay in Malta. It all depends on how would you like to spend your vacation. Bugibba Malta is the tourist capital of the country. You will find there many awesome things to do but it may get pretty crowded, especially during a high season. The other popular place to stay at the island is Mellieha beach Malta, with the famous Golden Bay and Paradise Beach Malta.

If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place, head to Gozo, it’s cheaper and less touristy than the main island.

Malta beach
Bugibba Malta is the most popular place to stay on the island.

Best places to stay in Malta (Main Island)

Hotels near Malta airport

We’ve been staying at De Rohan B&B, right after we arrived to Malta. We had an evening flight, so all we wanted is to find a good and cheap hotel close to the airport. After quick research of Malta best places to stay, we chose De Rohan.

It fit all of our requirements. This bed and breakfast is cozy, comfortable, and it is located less than 15 minutes driving from the airport. We arrived late, so the key was waiting for us in a box. The breakfast was fresh and tasty. We easily parked our car for free close to De Rohan.

Check out latest prices for De Rohan B&B—> here.
De Rohan B&B entrance stone walls
De Rohan B&B is one of the best hotels near Malta airport.

Malta apartments

Sunrise Creek is also not far from the airport. It’s located in Marsaskala, a beautiful and peaceful village. The view from our windows at Sunrise Creek was absolutely breathtaking!

If you are looking for best Malta apartments, this should be your place to go. The flat was fully equipped, there were many free parking spots available nearby. Sunrise Creek is a family-friendly place, the hosts organized a baby cot for Mia. We loved the check-in and check-out process, it was fully automated and easy.

Check out latest prices for Sunrise Creek—> here.
sunrise creek
Looking for Malta family hotel or apartment? Consider Sunrise Creek.

Malta All Inclusive Resorts

Sometimes all you want to do while traveling abroad is to relax. There is no better way to do so than staying at all inclusive resort. You don’t need to worry about finding a good place to eat, or drink. You have all you need at your fingertips.

There are are many Malta All Inclusive resorts but the one worth recommending is db Seabank Resort + Spa. It’s located on the main island of Malta but close enough to the Gozo ferry. The food is good, the rooms comfortable, and the Mediterranean Sea is really close. Mellieha bay beach Malta is considered as one of the most beautiful in the country.

Check out latest prices for db Seabank Resort + Spa—> here.
malta resort
Looking for Malta All Inclusive Resorts? Consider staying db Seabank Resort + Spa.

Looking for some luxury? Check out best five star hotels is Malta—> click here.

Want to find the best family hotels in Malta? —> click here.

Traveling with your partner? Search for the best Malta romantic hotel—> click here.

Gozo accommodation

Downtown hotel Gozo

Hands down, there is no better place to stay for a small family in Gozo than The Duke Boutique hotel. Everything about it is perfect- the facilities, the food, and the location. It is situated inside the shopping mall in Victoria Gozo, within the walking distance to one of the best tourist attractions of Malta, The Citadel.

There is a huge playground close to The Duke, and a free parking. We absolutely loved the breakfasts at the hotel. It’s a family-friendly hotel, so of course they had a high chairs for Mia. The baby cot was waiting for us in the room as well.

Check out latest prices for The Duke Boutique hotel—> here.
family bed king size toddler
Looking for a downtown hotel Gozo? The Duke is arguably the best choice.

Gozo farmhouses for rent

There are many Gozo farmhouse rentals available out there. We’ve been staying at Tal Mirakli villa. It was really huge! 7 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, can accommodate up to 15 people. There is a private outdoor pool next to the villa. We can’t imagine a better place to stay if you are traveling in a big group of friends, or with family.

Tal Mirakli is spacious and cozy. It’s located in the peaceful area of an island, so the best is to get there by car.

Check out latest prices for Tal Mirakli Gozo property—> here.

Getting Around Malta

Don’t know how to get to Malta? Check out best direct flights to Malta.

Traveling by car

It’s arguably the most convenient way to get around Malta but only if you are an experienced driver. Left-hand traffic, narrow, one-way streets and problems with GPS signal can be pretty challenging. If you want to rent car Malta, you can easily do it at the airport.

us gold car
It’s very easy to rent a car Malta airport.

We’ve been traveling with Goldcar and it was honestly the best car rental experience we have EVER had. They added one simply step to the process that made the entire rental outstanding. Right after we signed our agreement at the airport, we received the keys. We went to the parking to pick our car up. We were surprised that someone was waiting for us there. Goldcar employee double checked the car, took the photos of each small detail and then emailed us all the data.

In case something happen with a vehicle, both we and they know exactly how did the car look at the very beginning. How awesome is that?

TIP: Google Maps are not always working in Malta. The Internet signal can easily be lost too. Before you rent car Malta, it’s good to download offline maps or at least get Malta sim card to make sure you will reach your destination without any problems.

Find the cheap car rental Malta here.

Traveling by public transport

Because of the specific topography there are no trains or trams in Malta. There are also no domestic flights available between the Maltese islands. If you want to travel by public transport while in Malta, your only option are buses.

malta buses gozo
It’s easy to use public transport in Malta. Malta buses timetable is available online.

For a timetable bus Malta and all the other useful info, check out the table below:

Malta bus TIMETABLESClick here
Malta bus MAPClick here
Malta bus TICKETSYou can buy tickets directly from the bus drivers.
Malta bus FARES2€ June-October
1.50€ November-May
3€ night fare
NIGHT bus MaltaClick here
Malta bus PASSESTallinja card, read more here
GOZO busYes, there are buses available in Gozo as well. Search for routes 301 and up here

Traveling by Malta taxi

If you don’t want to drive a car by yourself, you can always choose to travel by Malta taxi. You may simply catch a cab on the street but it’s so much better to book a car online. There is no Uber in the country, so the best Malta taxi app is Taxify (Bolt).
Click here to get your first ride for free.

Useful info:

  • Here you can find everything you need to know about airport taxi Malta
  • Taxi Gozo is available as well
car malta
Traveling by taxi is a very convenient way of getting around Malta. There are also Gozo cabs available.

Malta to Gozo ferry

Malta Gozo ferry schedule—> click here

There is no bridge connecting two biggest Maltese islands. If you want to travel from Malta to Gozo and vice versa, the only way is to take a ferry. You can either do it with your car or as a passenger. The travel time is less than half an hour, the ferry is operating 24h a day.

Malta to Gozo ferry is so far the best ferry that we have been to. It’s fully accessible, with an elevator, bar, and toilets with a baby changing station. Everything is spotlessly clean.

Below are some of the photos from Malta Gozo ferry:

What’s interesting, you won’t need to pay anything when you are traveling TO Gozo. You will have to pay on your way back.

As for March 2019, Malta Gozo ferry prices as a below:

  • 15,70 € for a car and a driver, return ticket
  • 4,65 € passenger fare, return ticket
  • 1,15 € children (3-12 years) fare, return ticket
  • Children younger than 3 are traveling for free.

Our family of 3 paid 20,35€ when traveling to Gozo and back. We didn’t have to pay for Mia, as she was only 1 year old during our stay in Malta.

Here you can find the current Malta Gozo ferry prices.

For Malta Gozo ferry timetable click here.

Maltese Food

We haven’t had much luck with the food when we were in Malta. Maybe because we have been traveling off season and most of the good restaurants were closed. Anyhow, we’ve asked our travel blogging friends for their recommendations. Here are their favorite food and places to eat in Gozo and Malta.

Where to eat in Malta?

Malta best restaurant  to try Traditional Maltese food

One of the best places to eat traditional Maltese food when visiting Malta is at Ta’ Kris Restaurant located in Sliema. They have an extensive a la carte menu and wine list serving Maltese favourites such as octopus in garlic, rabbit dishes and a number of daily specials. Portions are huge and the restaurant gets extremely popular so reservations are advised.

Ta Kris - Octupus in Garlic
Photo+ text by Michael Rozenblit

Malta best restaurant to eat Vegan food

The Grassy Hopper started out as a vegetarian restaurant but has since switched to a completely plant-based menu and is the best option for healthy vegan food in Malta. Dishes on offer include Turkish, Italian, Indonesian and Japanese specialties, and an item called “the most crazy vegan burger you have ever seen and tried”. Gluten-free diets are also accommodated.
 
The place is open Wednesday to Saturday, and only for dinner. It’s usually packed, but if you can’t get a seat they also offer takeaway. It’s located in the small city of Gżira, which is within walking distance of Valletta.
 
vegan food malta the grassy hopper
Photo + text by Wendy Werneth

Fine dining Malta

If you are looking for a fine dining in Malta, try the Oceana Restaurant from The Hilton Hotel. Located in the lively St Julian area, 20 minutes from Valetta, The Hilton is a great place to take your loved one for a romantic dinner. Oceana Restaurant has a modern Mediterranean décor, with tables both inside and outside, on the terrace, overlooking the pools and the olive garden.

The menu at Oceana changes with the season, the head chef using the local Maltese ingredients as inspiration for his dishes. The signature dish of the restaurant is the “Sous Vide Local Rabbit Loin”.

oceana restaurant
Photo + text by Joanna Nemes

Don’t feel like eating out? Check out this website for food delivery Malta.

What to eat in Malta?

Pastizzi

Wonder what to eat in Malta? If it comes to local food you need to try in Malta, you won’t get around Pastizzi. These delicious pastries are one of the most popular local snacks in Malta and you’ll find them on every corner. The crispy dough can be filled with a variety of food, some of the most popular options include peas and ricotta cheese. You can get Pastizzi in most cafés, bars or bakeries in Malta, and there are even proper Pastizzi vendors everywhere around the island, making it a very convenient street food option. Pastizzi are not only delicious, but also super cheap and you can buy a bunch of them for less than 1€. This is your perfect street snack when exploring Malta and you should certainly give it a try!

Pastizzi malta
Photo + text by Patrick Muntzinger

Ftira

Don’t miss the chance to try ftira when you’re in Gozo. It looks similar to pizza, but it’s a distinct local specialty for which Gozo is famous. The dough is crispier than an Italian pizza, and the toppings are different too. Potatoes are often a main feature, whereas cheese is totally optional, making ftira a vegan-friendly alternative to pizza.
 
The small village of Nadur is the place to go to try this local dish. Two bakeries there, Maxokk Bakery and Mekren’s Bakery, vie for the title of the best ftira bakery on the island.
 
Ftira gozo malta
Photo + text by Wendy Werneth

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Disclosure: We want to thank Sunrise Creek, The Duke Boutique hotel, and Tal Mirakli for complimentary stays, and Goldcar for a complimentary car. All opinions presented in this post are honest and our own.

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We are Karolina, Patryk, and Mia, the lazy traveling family. After spending 5 years as digital nomads, and living in many countries in the world, we decided to make Poland our base.

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