Gozo Island Holidays
"A peaceful island just north of Malta, perfect for tranquility and getting away from life's stresses... "
A magnificent island located off the coast of
Malta, it is famous for
its natural beauty and the magical underwater treasures that surround the
island. It has been inhabited longer than Malta, and the Stone Age temple of
Ġgantija is ideal for those who want to see how our forefathers lived. Gozo is
more rural and less built up compared to Malta and is very popular with visitors
who want a peaceful holiday with natural beauty and tranquillity at the
forefront. Whilst there are some stunning hotels on this island, staying in a
traditional farmhouse is also popular. Despite its size, Gozo boasts an
incredibly rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years and is even
fabled to be the Calypso isle in Homer’s Odyssey, where Odysseus was held
captive by the nymph Calypso. This island is easily reached via ferry from
Malta.
Gozo is also renowned for its natural beauty with many hiking trails for
visitors to enjoy. Coupled with this is a spectacular coastline, replete with
some of the finest beaches in all of Malta for a
beach holiday,
including the unique red sands of Ramla Bay. The island is also known for the
quality of its diving, with a host of underwater treasures hidden within its
turquoise waters. All of this and more makes Gozo an excellent holiday
destination for those who want to get out and explore the wonder of the natural
world.
Charlotte
Malta Holiday Specialist
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Gozo Island Travel Guide
At A Glance:
Highlights:
Location
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 colonized 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 fairly small with an area of 67 kilometres and a population of 31,000 people.
History and Culture
The island was first colonized 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, who believed it was strategically important thanks to its natural harbours. It was conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the second Punic War in 218 BC, which is when Christianity came 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.
Family Activities
Considered a natural wonderland, it is perfect for families who want to get out and explore nature. 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 kids and adults alike can appreciate the wonderful waters of the Mediterranean. Gozo is also a known scuba diving location, for those with older children who wish to enjoy a new experience on their family holiday.
Tours and Attractions
Considered a natural wonderland, it is perfect for families who want to get out and explore nature. 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 kids and adults alike can appreciate the wonderful waters of the Mediterranean. Gozo is also a known scuba diving location, for those with older children who wish to enjoy a new experience.
Entertainment
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 spattering of clubs that are located in the capital, known as Victoria, with the most famous being La Grota, a spot where both local and international DJs regularly play and is famous for its buzzing 70’s and 80’s nights. There are also plenty of restaurants that provide spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea.
Shopping
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 food produce like sea-bass to tourist necessities like sunglasses. Republican Street is also a great place for people who want to shop, playing host to a number of 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.
Gozo Island, Malta Holiday Blogs
Special Offers in Gozo Island, Malta
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