Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs: A Beautiful Coastal Walk in Gozo
Thinking of visiting Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs on Gozo Island?
A trip to Malta isn’t complete without a visit to Gozo. During our time in Malta, we took the ferry for a packed day trip on Gozo Island – hiking, lunch in Victoria, exploring the Citadella, and even squeezing in some beach time. One of the biggest highlights? Visiting the Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, one of Gozo’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Like the Dingli Cliffs on Malta island, Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs drop dramatically into the sea. But unlike Dingli, Ta’ Ċenċ offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience, with far fewer tourists. Plus, the walk to the cliffs offers more than just stunning coastal views – you’ll also pass ancient cart ruts, mysterious parallel grooves in the limestone that date back thousands of years. Reaching the cliffs is easy, too – you can park in the nearby town of Sannat and walk just 15 minutes to the coast, making it an accessible yet fascinating adventure.
Getting to Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs
Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs are located about a 15-minute drive from the Gozo Ferry Terminal, making them a perfect first or last stop if you’re visiting Gozo for the day.
To reach the cliffs from the ferry terminal, drive to the town of Sannat. We started our walk toward Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs from approximately this spot: 36.023139, 14.250750.
You can enter these coordinates into Google Maps, but keep in mind that this is where the paved road ends and a dirt path begins, which you’ll follow on foot to reach the cliffs. Street parking is available in Sannat – be sure to park before reaching this point.
If you’re visiting Gozo without a car, you can take a taxi to this spot. Buses are also an option, with connections through Victoria, but we highly recommend renting a car when visiting Malta!
Important Notes:
🚻 There are no restrooms or facilities near this walk. If you’re visiting Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs at the start of your day trip (which we recommend!), use the ferry restrooms before disembarking.
🌿 If nature calls while on the trail, respect the environment and pack out all waste.
What to Wear
The walk to Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs is short and easy, but dressing appropriately will make your experience much more enjoyable. Since the trail is fully exposed with no shade (typical of Gozo’s rugged landscape), you’ll want to be prepared for the sun and terrain.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing based on the season. If you’re visiting in warmer months, lightweight, breathable fabrics and sun-protective clothing (like a hat and sunglasses) are a must. Even in cooler months, the sun can be strong, so sunscreen is essential.
Secure walking shoes are highly recommended. The terrain is mostly flat but uneven in places, and near the cliffs, footing can be loose. Sneakers or sturdy sandals with good grip work well – avoid flimsy footwear.
We visited in October and found that a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers were perfect for the conditions. If you’re visiting in summer, consider long sleeves or UV-protective clothing (and hat) to shield yourself from the intense sun.
What to Pack
Since this is a short, easy walk (about 2 km round trip), you won’t need to pack much. However, a few essentials will make your visit more comfortable.
- Sun protection: Sun protection is key, as there’s no shade along the trail. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to shield yourself from the strong Mediterranean sun. We applied sunscreen before starting the walk, and we were thankful we did – the sun felt strong even in October!
- Water: You should also carry a bottle of water, especially if visiting in warmer months. We brought one water bottle to share, but you’d want to make sure each person in your group has water if it’s a hot day.
- Snacks & blanket: If you’d like to linger and take in the views, consider packing a small blanket and some snacks for a scenic break.
- Binoculars: We didn’t bring these, but they would’ve come in handy to check out the wildlife along the coast. That said, if using binoculars, be extremely cautious – only use them while standing a very safe distance from the cliff’s edge.
Difficulty & Duration
The walk from the village of Sannat to the Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs is approximately 1 km each way, making it a 2 km round trip.
It’s an easy, mostly flat walk with no significant elevation gain and no technical challenges. In fact, the most danger with this walk is the cliffs themselves – use extreme caution near the cliff edges, especially in windy conditions (which are common in the cooler months). No photo op is worth the risk!
The first section follows a wide dirt road, which then transitions to narrower dirt paths leading to the coast. It took us about 15 minutes to reach the cliffs at a relaxed pace. Even with time for photos and soaking in the views, you can comfortably complete the walk in 45 to 60 minutes.
Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs: Our Experience
Getting to Ta’ Ċenċ
We started our adventure early, leaving our rental apartment in Senglea and driving north across Malta Island toward the ferry terminal. The drive took about an hour, and soon we were aboard the ferry, headed toward Gozo.
We parked the car in the ferry’s parking area and headed upstairs to enjoy the views as the ferry sailed across the sparkling, beautifully blue Mediterranean. The half-hour ride gave us a chance to take in the surrounding beauty, with Malta slowly fading from view as Gozo came into focus.
Walking to Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs
Once we arrived in Gozo, we drove to the village of Sannat, the closest point to the start of the walk toward Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs. From here, we started our 1 km walk, which would take us to the dramatic cliffs.
The walk began along a dirt road, offering beautiful views of the rolling landscape of Gozo, with the island’s characteristic flora and fauna all around us. The prickly pear cactus plants, a common sight in Malta and Gozo, stood out against the backdrop of rugged terrain.
Ta’ Ċenċ‘s Cart Ruts
Along the way, we encountered something special: cart ruts. These ancient tracks added an extra layer of history to the walk. Cart ruts can be found on Malta island as well.
There’s ongoing debate of just how old these cart ruts are, but some estimates date as far back to the Neolithic period (around 3600-2500 BC). Regardless, these are some old tracks!
The sight of these mysterious grooves carved into the stone made the experience even more memorable. We paused to take photos and marvel at this fascinating feature of Gozo’s landscape.
Malta and Gozo’s cart ruts add to the area’s immense history, most of which centers around megalithic temples; some of these are UNESCO heritage sites.
Stunning Views at Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs
After about 15 minutes of walking, we reached the edge of the cliffs. The Mediterranean stretched before us, with the dramatic drop to the sea creating a breathtaking vista. These cliffs tower about 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) high.
We stayed a safe distance from the edge – Liz, in particular, is always cautious near cliffs – but the views were so expansive that it felt like the water went on forever. Just the blue Mediterranean for days!
We even had some fun with a mini photoshoot, including our favorite little travel companion, Hedgie, who got in on the action, perched proudly in front of the cliffs.
Not to be out-done, Steve is always ready for the camera. 🤦🏻♀️
What was extra special about this walk was how serene it all was.
During our time out by the sea, we only saw a couple other people enjoying the views. Maybe it’s because we visited on a Monday morning in October, but we’d like to believe this means you’ll encounter far fewer crowds than, say, Dingli Cliffs on Malta island.
Heading Back
After soaking in the views and taking our time to admire the Mediterranean stretching out before us, we began our walk back.
The return journey was just as peaceful, allowing us to appreciate the quiet nature of Gozo as we retraced our steps along the dirt path.
It was a perfect, short walk to start our day on the island, and we ended it feeling connected to both the natural and historical beauty of this unique destination.
Wrapping Up: Visiting Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs in Gozo
If you’re visiting Gozo – even just for the day, like we did – a visit to Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs is an unforgettable experience. In just about an hour, you can enjoy a leisurely walk to dramatic coastal views and also get a glimpse into Gozo’s ancient past with its intriguing cart ruts.
The short walk to the cliffs is easy and accessible, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Gozo’s rugged landscape and peaceful atmosphere.
Whether you’re captivated by the prehistoric tracks, the stunning Mediterranean views, or the serenity of the area, this short hike is a perfect way to immerse yourself in Gozo’s natural and historical charm.