Gozo Island

Just a small island located off the coast of Malta, it is one of the 21 that make up the Maltese archipelago. Historical evidence suggests that it has been inhabited longer than Malta, having been first colonised by the Sicilians over 5000 years ago. It is famous for its many beautiful hiking trails, stunning red sand beaches and spectacular scuba diving sites. The island is relatively small, with an area of 67 kilometres and a population of 31,000 people.

The island was first colonised in 5000 B.C. when a group of people from Sicily sailed to the island, which would mean that Gozo was inhabited before Malta. It became a Phoenician and Carthaginian outpost around 700 BC, which believed it was strategically important thanks to its natural harbours. The Romans conquered it at the beginning of the Second Punic War in 218 BC, marking the introduction of Christianity to Malta and Gozo. It joined the Byzantine Empire once the Roman Empire collapsed, before falling to the Arabs and then the Normans. All of Malta was gifted to the Knights of St John in 1530, which began a tragic and dramatic series of battles between them and the Ottomans, which brought much suffering to the island. This culminated in the defeat of the Ottomans in 1566; however, unlike Malta, much of the island remained unfortified, leaving it tragically exposed to pirates. This persisted for around 200 years, until piracy died down and the island began to grow from the 18th century onwards.

Considered a natural wonderland, it is ideal for families who want to get out and explore the great outdoors. There is a vast array of fun hiking and biking trails that crisscross the island, where you and your kids can get outside and enjoy the magnificent natural scenery that it has to offer. Alongside this are the many beautiful beaches, such as the red sands of Ramla Bay, where both children and adults can appreciate the wonderful waters of the Mediterranean. Gozo is also a renowned scuba diving location, ideal for families with older children who wish to enjoy a new experience on their holiday.

Considered a natural wonderland, it is ideal for families who want to get out and explore the great outdoors. There is a vast array of fun hiking and biking trails that crisscross the island, where you and your kids can get outside and enjoy the magnificent natural scenery that it has to offer. Alongside this are the many beautiful beaches, such as the red sands of Ramla Bay, where both children and adults can appreciate the wonderful waters of the Mediterranean. Gozo is also a popular scuba diving destination for families with older children who wish to enjoy a new experience.

Additionally, it has the perfect combination of quiet restaurants and cool bars, making it the kind of place where people enjoy life without partying all night long. There is a small cluster of clubs located in the capital, known as Victoria, with the most famous being La Grota. On this spot, both local and international DJs regularly play and are renowned for their buzzing 70s and 80s nights. There are also plenty of restaurants that provide spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea.

The best shopping in Gozo is found in Ir-Rabat (Victoria), where you can find a daily market at Independence Square that sells everything from fresh produce, such as sea bass, to tourist necessities like sunglasses. Republican Street is also an excellent place for shoppers, playing host to several local Maltese brands, along with more international names from the UK, France, and Germany. The Duke Plaza is a recently built shopping centre, where shoppers will be able to find pretty much anything they want under just one roof.