Beyond the shores of Malta’s main island you can find two more equally fascinating sceneries to explore in the shape of Gozo and Comino. A brief visit to both of these small islands, literally a stone throw from Malta, is the perfect way to get all the wonderful facets of this idyllic Mediterranean archipelago and an extra dose of surf and sun.
Regular ferries to both islands leave from the northern tip of Malta for the 25 min trip so up to you to decide which one you wish to visit first, though I would tend to suggest you start your day with tiny Comino.
Size really doesn’t matter here as the 3.5 square kilometers island packs a punch in terms of beauty. Car-free and almost uninhabited (only one family of farmers lives on the island), Comino is a picture-perfect vision in aquamarine.
You can in an hour or two to walk around the island, your hair whipped by the strong coastal winds and your nostrils filled with the smell of cumin which gave the island its name…
…though you’ll probably do like every visitor here and head straight to the island’s main attraction – the magical Blue Lagoon.
Crystal clear turquoise waters in a sheltered inlet look like the most beautiful of natural pools and are ideal for snorkeling and swimming. No wonder this is one of the best beaches in Malta.
In the high season it’ll quickly fill up with hundreds of day-trippers and make-shift snack bars so an early visit is recommended to enjoy the amazing views in peace and quiet.
If you have time, think of packing a picnic and spending the day soaking up the rays and simply relaxing on the beach – you’ll feel world away from everything and instantly re-energized.
Depending on the day and the season, you can usually hop on a ferry from Comino going straight to Gozo a mere 15 min away, or in low season you might have to go back to the main island to catch the Gozo ferry, not such a big deal. Either way, the short ride along the rugged coast is very pleasant, offering unique views of Comino and the approaching, larger sister of Gozo.
The first view you’ll get is that of the serene Mġarr Harbour where the ferry will drop you off. From here you can either rent a car to tour the island on your own, hop on one of the double-decker tour buses like we did, or use the public transport system if you stay here for more than a day.
Gozo is about a third the size of Malta and as soon as you arrive you’ll notice the slower pace and relaxed atmosphere the island is known for. Slowly make your way to the capital Victoria (also known to locals as ‘Rabat’), a natural start to any visits since all roads seem to lead to or from the city to go to the various sites around the island.
Despite being the largest city on the island, Victoria has the feel of a big village and you’ll want to leisurely explore its streets, stopping at various shops selling local traditional Maltese arts and crafts from lace to blown glass.
A visit to the Citadel, a small fortified city which rises dramatically over Victoria, should not be missed. Visible from all over the island, the most impressive of all its features is the cathedral which greets you as you enter the walls.
The surrounding buildings now house various museums and the old prisons.
For a local bite with arresting views, it’s good to know that one of the capital’s most famous restaurant is located right besides the cathedral down an alley to the left. Look for the signs to Ta’ Rikardu and climb up the stairs inside to the roof terrace for a Gozo experience like no other.
The rustic food as well as the wine are all coming from the owner’s farm nearby and the prices are so gentle you’ll want to spend a while here enjoying the historic setting as much as the Gozitan specialties.
The traditional platter of local cheese, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, capers, olives, onion, and Maltese bread is fantastic for sharing and is a classic lunch for Gozitans, especially when washed down with a glass of delicious local wine or beer.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the enchanting country roads winding their way between green flat-topped hills and valleys.
The fertile landscape is a beautiful sight and you’ll see farmhouses so old they led Gozo to be often described as the ‘Island where time stood still’ – an impression you’ll fully agree with after a few hours here.
Hilltops afford scenic views of Malta and little Comino on the left as well as a glimpse of Gozo’s stunning coast. We unfortunately didn’t have time to do the full tour though after seeing pictures of the Azure Window and Ramla Bay we’re dying to come back for them!
All the villages are sleepy affairs, tempting visitors with their quaint alleys and centuries old houses with old stone balconies.
Valleys are ripe with vineyards and pastoral scenes which provided the scrumptious lunch we recently feasted on.
As the sun sets on this rural delight, we’re already making plans to rent a country house and indulge in total R&R aka Rustic Relaxation for which Gozo seems to be the perfect candidate…
