Gozo Island Day Trip: Stunning Views & Enchanting History
Visiting Malta and considering a Gozo Island day trip?
If you’re planning a trip to Malta and have a rental car, a Gozo Island day trip should definitely be on your list. While Malta itself is an incredible destination, Gozo offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere with stunning scenery, rich history, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
Best of all, it’s just a short ferry ride away, making it an easy and rewarding addition to your itinerary.
During our visit to Malta, we spent a day exploring Gozo. It was the perfect balance between soft adventure, sightseeing, and relaxation. In just one day, we walked along the breathtaking Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, had lunch in Victoria, explored the historic Citadella, and even unwound at the beach before returning to Malta.
Keep reading to see exactly how we spent our day and how you can plan your own perfect Gozo adventure!
Why Gozo is a Must-Do for Malta Visitors
Gozo is Malta’s smaller, greener, and more laid-back sister island, offering a perfect escape from the busier Malta island. Covering just 67 square kilometers (26 square miles) and home to around 39,000 residents, it has a slower pace of life that feels worlds away from Valletta’s crowded streets. Despite its small size, Gozo is packed with stunning coastal cliffs, ancient fortresses, and charming villages.
Separated from Malta by the 7-kilometer (about 4-mile) Gozo Channel, the island is easily accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride from Ċirkewwa, located at Malta’s northern tip.
Visiting Gozo is the perfect way to complement a trip to Malta. While Malta is rich in history, impressive architecture, and a lively urban scene, Gozo offers a quieter, more nature-focused experience. Think rugged coastlines, scenic hiking trails, and a relaxed island vibe.
For all these reasons, we think a Gozo Island day trip is a must for anyone visiting Malta. When we visited, we wished we had more time to explore, but we were glad to find that a day trip from Malta was so easy and rewarding.
Key Tips for a Gozo Island Day Trip
⛴️ Plan your ferry times: Ferries run frequently, but it’s always good to check the schedule ahead of time to make the most of your day. And if you miss a ferry, just relax and wait for the next one. You’re on island time!
🚗 Rent a car: While Gozo has public transport, having a car makes it easier to explore the island at your own pace. This is especially true since the island is so small – nothing is much more than a 30-minute drive. With a car, you can make the most of your time, and stop anywhere along the way to take in all the island has to offer.
🏖️ Allow some flexibility: Even though we had a rough plan for our Gozo Island day trip, being able to go with the flow helped us discover more hidden gems along the way. This made our visit to the island even more special.
Getting to Gozo: A Scenic Ferry Ride
We started our Gozo Island day trip after a leisurely breakfast at our apartment rental in Senglea. The drive from Senglea to the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal took us about an hour; once we got out of Malta Island’s more urban areas, the drive was incredibly scenic, with country and sea views along the route .
Upon arrival to the ferry terminal, we purchased a ticket and drove onto the garage deck of the ferry. We grabbed our valuables and headed upstairs to take in the 30-minute ferry ride from above.
The ride itself was beautiful, offering views of the vibrantly blue Mediterranean Sea, and the rugged coastline of Gozo as we approached.
You can check ferry schedules and fare rates on the Gozo Channel website, to try to time your arrival/departure to best suit your needs.
Once the ferry docked, we hopped in the car and excited onto Gozo Island, ready for a day of exploration.
Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs: A Stunning Start to the Day
We kicked off our adventure with a visit to the Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, which are one of Gozo’s most famous natural attractions. We drove to the cliffs and did a quick, relatively easy one-hour hike that led us along the coast, offering panoramic views of the sea and cliffs. Along the way, we even saw ancient cart ruts, an incredible piece of history embedded into the landscape.
At only 15 minutes from the Gozo Ferry Terminal, the Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs coastal walk is an ideal way to start the day. It’s accessible and rewarding, making it perfect for those who want a quick but scenic outdoor adventure to begin their day on Gozo.
Read more about our Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs coastal walk here.
Lunch in Victoria: A Taste of Local Cuisine
After our coastal walk, we headed to Victoria, Gozo’s capital, to grab some lunch. Compared to the remote Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, Victoria is a bustling town, which provided some variance to our Gozo Island day trip.
We parked near the city center and took some time to wander through the town, exploring a few local shops along the way.
Eventually, we settled in for an outdoor meal at Victoria Central, a charming cafe located on Independence Square. This quaint square is lined with eateries offering inviting outdoor seating, making it the perfect spot to soak in the local atmosphere.
We each ordered a coffee and shared a Maltese Ftira sandwich. This sandwich can be found in different variations on Malta and Gozo.
It generally features a crusty bread (ftira) filled with tuna, tomato paste, olive oil, and often has onions, white beans, olives, and/or capers as well. It’s a staple of this area of the Mediterranean, and we’re huge fans.
After a satisfying lunch, we made our way to the Citadella, Victoria’s historic hilltop fortress.
The Citadella: History and Breathtaking Views
The Citadella, an ancient fortified city, was a highlight of our Gozo day trip. We spent about an hour wandering its historic grounds, admiring the medieval architecture, and taking in the breathtaking views from the top.
The Citadella has been the heart of Gozo for thousands of years. Evidence suggests it was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period. It was fortified during the Bronze Age, and later, the Phoenicians expanded its defenses.
During Roman times, it evolved into a grand acropolis overlooking the island. Gozo was a self-governing municipality, separate from Malta. The Citadella served as the island’s administrative, military, and religious hub.
We loved the peaceful atmosphere and the sense of history that surrounded us as we explored. Inside the Citadella, we came across several interesting sites, including the Gozo Museum of Archaeology and the impressive Cathedral of the Assumption.
On a clear day, you can see almost all of Gozo Island, along with the surrounding Mediterranean waters.
Since most of our Gozo Island day trip was focused on outdoor adventures, this history break gave us a nice change of pace – and a chance to experience one of Gozo’s most iconic landmarks.
Ending the Day at Hondoq Bay
After our lunch and Citadella visit in Victoria, we made our way to the final stop of our Gozo Island day trip: Hondoq Bay. At just a 15-minute drive from both Victoria and the Gozo Ferry Terminal, it was the perfect place to unwind before heading back to Malta.
Since we visited in mid-October, we were lucky to have fantastic weather, which meant we could take advantage of Malta’s many swimming spots.
We made sure to squeeze in some sea time on our Gozo Island day trip, and Hondoq Bay didn’t disappoint. That said, always check the local forecast before swimming in Malta to ensure conditions are safe.
Hondoq Bay is a peaceful, less crowded beach with calm, clear water and a rocky coastline, making it great for swimming and snorkeling.
It sits across from Comino Island, home to the famous Blue Lagoon, a popular day trip destination. While Blue Lagoon is stunning, it’s often packed with tourists, which is why we prefer spots like Hondoq Bay for a more relaxed experience.
We enjoyed a refreshing swim and a quiet moment to soak in the scenery – until Steve got an unexpected surprise. While snorkeling near the rocks, he was stung by a jellyfish! It was a good reminder to stay aware of marine life and consider wearing water shoes when swimming in Malta.
Returning to Malta
After our swim, we packed up and drove about 15 minutes to the ferry terminal to head back to Malta.
After a short half-hour ride, we enjoyed an evening drive around Malta’s beautiful bays before returning to our rental apartment in Senglea.
Wrapping Up: Reflecting on Our Gozo Island Day Trip
Our Gozo Island day trip was the perfect mix of adventure, history, and relaxation. From the dramatic coastal views at Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs to the rich history of the Citadella and the peaceful waters of Hondoq Bay, Gozo offered a refreshing change of pace from Malta’s busier streets.
While we only had one day to explore, we found that with a little planning, it’s easy to experience Gozo’s highlights without feeling rushed. Whether you’re drawn to its scenic landscapes, ancient history, or hidden swimming spots, Gozo is an island that rewards curiosity and a spirit of adventure – two things we love here at Zest for Latitudes.
If you have extra time, consider staying overnight to explore even more of what Gozo has to offer. But even in just one day, this island will leave a lasting impression – just as it did for us.