Gozo is Malta's rugged little sibling, an island with an expanse of desert-like scenery in its hinterland and a dramatic craggy coastline with crystal-clear waters. It also lures travellers with its warm climate, nestled midway between North Africa and Europe in the Mediterranean Sea. Head here for scuba diving in lagoons, strolling around hidden coves and exploring UNESCO-listed heritage sites that predate the Egyptian pyramids.
Hostels in Gozo include charming old-world inns with vintage-style furniture, cute apartments with views over the sparkling Xlendi Bay and Moorish-inspired sandstone buildings. For a rustic feel with modern facilities, check out a timber-beamed farmhouse with an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor heated pool and a Jacuzzi. Look for Gozo hostels with terraces where you can sit and chat with other travellers in the Maltese sunshine.
One of Gozo's most popular towns is the former fishing village of Marsalforn, which has a promenade lined with restaurants as well as car and bike hire shops and diving schools. The town of Xagħra is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed megalithic temples of Ġgantija, and is a 30-minute walk from the red-tinted sands of Ramla Bay. Head to the clear waters of Xlendi Bay in the south west of the island for swimming and diving. At Gozo's western tip, you'll find the village of Għarb, which is packed with cobblestone streets and traditional architecture.
Gozo has a couple of unusual diving spots, including the Inland Sea lagoon, created by water from the Mediterranean seeping in through an underground opening, and the big Blue Hole rock pool. You can also dive or snorkel off the coast from rocky bays like Mġarr ix-Xini. Learn about Malta's Catholic culture at the handsome Ta' Pinu church in Għarb, which has a tower you can climb for views over the landscape towards the glittering sea.
You can take a ferry to Gozo's Mġarr port from Ċirkewwa, the most northerly part of Malta. The journey takes about 25 minutes. From Malta International Airport, you can walk for 10 minutes to Avjazzjoni and hop on a direct bus to Ċirkewwa, which takes around an hour and a half. Once you're on Gozo, there are 10 public bus routes to help you get around. You can also rent a car at the airport and take it across on the ferry to Ċirkewwa if you'd prefer to have your own wheels.
