Walks around the Island
Along the coast of Goza stretches the so-called Gozo Coastal Walk, a hiking trail along which you can walk around the island. The whole route measures 50 kilometers and is divided into 4 smaller sections. A detailed description of the individual sections, including maps, can be found on the official tourist website visitgozo.com.
The red route leads from the port of Mgarr to the town of Xlendi, the route is moderately demanding, measuring 12 kilometers. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy the highest cliffs on Gozo, including Sanap Cliffs.
The blue route continues from Xlendi to San Lawrenz. The route measures 11 kilometers and is again considered moderately demanding. You will reach Dwerja Bay, where the now-ruined Azure Window was located.
The green route from San Lawrenz to Marsalforn is considered the easiest section, measuring about 11 kilometers. Do not expect any large elevation here, so this route is also suitable for families with smaller children. You will walk along the quiet north coast, admire the bay of Wied Il-Għasri and at the end of the route you will also reach the popular salt pans.
The yellow route is considered the most challenging section. He leads from Marsalforn back to Mgarr. It measures 16 kilometers and on the way you will come across several ascending sections. The route will take you to lesser-known beaches and hidden corners.
Azure Window
The Azure Window was definitely one of the most attractive and sought-after stops on Gozo. This impressive place has become a popular movie location, maybe you can remember the Azure Window in the first series of the popular Game of Thrones series, because this is where the Dothrac wedding took place. Unfortunately, on March 8, 2017, the Azure Window collapsed due to a strong storm and intense waves, which caused this more than 500-year-old limestone rock gate to fall irreversibly into the sea. The azure window was about 28 meters high and consisted of two limestone pieces, one of which represented a pillar, the other the arch itself.
The “alternative” to the ruined Azure Window is the smaller rock formation Wied il-Mielah.
Sanap Cliffs
The south of the island is dominated by the beautiful and majestic Sanap Cliffs, which are still a bit of a secret that many tourists do not know about. Huge photogenic white cliffs are an impressive spectacle at any time of the year, especially magical at sunset. The walk along the cliffs is very comfortable, part of the way is even provided by a new hiking trail.
Dahlet Qorrot Beach
If you are not looking for very sandy beaches, you will probably like the bay Daħlet Qorrot located in the eastern part of the island. You won’t even find a full beach here during the high season. The environment is very quiet, even though it can be reached by car without the need for any walk. Gozo Coastal Walk passes through the beach, which leads to a short walk along the cliffs.
Dahlet Qorrot Beach is rather such a small concrete promenade without a large background, which is ideal for those who like to swim in the sea in a quiet environment.
San Blas Beach
San Blas Beach is a smaller and lesser-known sister to the nearby popular Ramla Beach. Like Ramla Beach, it boasts orange-red sand. The surrounding area is very picturesque, there are cliffs and picturesque greenery near the beach. The beach is quiet and even in the high season you will not meet crowds of tourists.
The beach path is moderately demanding and you will probably sweat, the beach is not suitable for immobile people. If you have a rented car, drive to the end of the passable road, where there are a few parking spaces. The last section of the road must be reached on foot. If you are traveling by bus, take the 303 line (route and timetable) to Weraq, from where it is about 1.5 km to the beach.
Dwejra Bay
Just a few tens of meters from the area around the former Azure Window lies the beautiful photogenic Dwejra Bay with steep cliffs and breathtaking views of the sunsets. The entrance to the bay is covered by the Fungus Rock, which completes the beautiful and interesting appearance of Dwejra Bay.
You can only get to the sea from the boat (for example, Xlendi Cruises offers cruises around Goza), however, Dwejra Bay is mainly aimed at the views, which you will enjoy from the mainland.
The view over the bay is about 0.5 km walk from the village of Dwejry, where the famous Inland Lake or the already mentioned ruined Azure Window is located. First, take a few hundred meters down the road and when you see the old Dwejra Tower, turn off the road. After another 100 meters you will reach a lookout point.
Wied II-Ghasri
The narrow sea bay Wied Il-Ghasri is a hidden pearl of the northern part of the island. This long photogenic bay is surrounded by stone cliffs, along which you can walk up the stairs that lead you to a small pebble beach. If the sea is calm, the bay boasting crystal clear water is also suitable for swimming and snorkeling. In addition, where the bay flows into the sea, divers will enjoy the abundance, who can admire the numerous underwater caves. However, it is necessary to go here with an organized group.
There is also a small sidewalk along the cliffs, so in addition to swimming, you will also enjoy breathtaking views from the hill.
It is advantageous to combine the visit of Salt Pans with Wied Il-Ghasri, it is a pleasant walk that will take you from Marsalforn about an hour in one direction.
Tal-Mixta Cave
Tal-Mixta Cave is an impressive cave rising about 100 meters above sea level. The cave offers views of the popular orange-red Ramla Bay. This is a great spot for lovers of views and enthusiastic photographers, because this cave is one of the most photogenic places on Gozo.
There are two ways to get to the cave. The first, less comfortable, but all the more lively, is the walk from Ramla Bay itself. A narrow footpath leads here, the journey from the eastern end of the beach to the top will take a maximum of 25 minutes even for untrained individuals. The road is comfortable and suitable for families with children (without a pram), the last few meters are more dusty and you need to be extra careful. If you go hiking in the spring, you will enjoy a path surrounded by blooming yellow plants and ubiquitous cacti.
The second, slightly more convenient option is to drive over the cave, you can park right next to it. If you are traveling by hop-on hop-off bus, you will need to drive to Ramla Bay and walk from there.
Mgarr ix-Xini
A small narrow bay with an even smaller beach Mgarr ix-Xini is a romantic place for lovers of beautiful nature and authentic local places with a minimum of tourists. It is located between the towns of Xewkija and Ghajnsiel and can be reached mainly by car, there is no bus stop nearby.
Mgarr ix-Xini will delight especially lovers of swimming, when there will be enough space in the bay for longer sections and at the same time always calm sea. At the same time, there are perfect conditions for snorkeling.
The beach itself is very small, rocky, but you will find a small stall with snacks and toilets.
Xlendi
Xlendi is considered the most picturesque village in Gozo. It is dominated by a relatively narrow bay, which, however, boasts perfectly clear water, which tempts to swim in the summer months. The entrance to the sea is very gradual, formed by small pebbles, so the beach is suitable for smaller children.
However, the most impressive is the area around the bay. From the left you can walk along the coast, all the way to the Xlendi Tower, from where you can enjoy views of the open sea. The Gozo Coastal Walk runs through the village, so the trails are maintained. On the right side of the bay you can climb the adjacent cliff, from where you can enjoy Xlendi literally in the palm of your hand. You will also come across the magical Caroline Cave here. You can take a boat ride in the bay, rent kayaks or rent a jet ski and explore the nearby sea. If you are looking for the perfect place to watch the sunset, where you can also refresh yourself in quality Mediterranean restaurants, Xlendi is an excellent choice.
Marsalforn
Marsalforn is a popular fishing village located on the northeast coast of Goza. A promenade leads through the town, which seduces lewd walks. The bay is surrounded by smaller cliffs, which are easily accessible in several places. The surprisingly clean sea of Marsalforn Bay can therefore be used for pleasant refreshment or snorkeling. The town is well equipped with restaurants, shops, but also diving centers.
Don’t forget to connect your visit to Marsalforn by walking through the valley, about a kilometer along the sea to the west. If you feel like a hike, head to the nearby Tas-Salvatur Hill, topped by a statue of Christ. The reward will be a three hundred and sixty-degree view of the surrounding area.
Salt pans
For a long time, salt was obtained in Gozo in the traditional way, ie using salt pans. On the north coast of the island, west of the town of Marsalforn, there is a belt about 3 kilometers long, where you can walk in the immediate vicinity of the salt pans, which are more than 300 years old. The seawater gradually evaporates as the salt itself remains in it. It was stored in the adjacent caves, which were carved into the coastal rock.
You can combine a trip to the salt plains with a visit to the beautiful bay of Wied il-Ghasri.