Gozo Day Trip: The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary
Are you planning a Gozo day trip? We did exactly this on our last trip to Malta and it was the perfect day trip from the island.
If you visit Malta, I will always tell you to make sure you also go on a trip to Gozo. The little island is effectively Malta’s little sister. But, considering it’s much smaller, there’s still so much to see.
Gozo has some incredible history and temples, beautiful beaches and natural scenery, salt pans, wonderful buildings, and a cute old town. It’s literally the perfect island escape from an island escape and has a much more chill vibe than Malta’s bustling capital.
If you’re planning a trip to Gozo, here’s exactly how to plan a day trip, everything you need to know, and the perfect 1-day itinerary.
My favourite travel resources for Gozo
✅ Here are the best places to stay in Malta.
✅ Don’t miss: the Gozo hop-on-hop-off bus!
✅ Don’t forget your travel insurance!
9:00 – Travel from Malta to Gozo
Start your day by making your way to Gozo. The easiest way to get there is by taking the ferry although you can opt for a private boat if you prefer. The main ferry goes from the Ċirkewwa terminal, but there is also a fast ferry directly from Valletta.
The Ċirkewwa Passenger Terminal is located at the northwestern tip of Malta, near Popeye’s Village. It’s fairly easy to get there using public transport which is just €2 per ticket.
During our visit to Malta, we stayed in Rabat, so we had to take a bus to St Paul’s Bay and then another to the terminal. Overall, the journey took about an hour and 20 minutes.
If you’re staying in Valletta, there’s a direct bus route that also passes through St Paul’s Bay. This takes slightly less time at around 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, the fast ferry from Valletta directly to Gozo takes about 45 minutes.
For those coming straight from the airport, the X1 bus will take you straight to Ċirkewwa in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This also costs just €2.
Once you arrive at the passenger terminal, you can simply board the ferry. It can be a bit confusing because you don’t buy a ticket when leaving Malta. Instead, you pay at Mġarr Harbour on your return trip.
The ferry to Gozo takes about 25-30 minutes and the return fare is €4.65 per adult.
👉 Check out my more detailed guide on how to get from Malta to Gozo here.
10:00 – Jump on the Hop-on-hop-off Bus
Once you have arrived, you’ll need to work out how to get around Gozo. In my opinion, the easiest way, especially for a Gozo day trip, is to book the hop-on-hop-off bus. There is public transport in Gozo, however, it’s quite complicated as all the buses start and end in the capital, Victoria.
That means if you want to go to two places that are almost next to each other, you would need to first catch a bus to the capital, then catch another bus back to the second destination.
If you only have a day in Gozo, this can get very time-consuming very quickly, so I recommend the hop-on-hop-off bus instead.
This travels around the entire island stopping at all of the popular destinations. There are several routes, but they all go in a loop, so you don’t have to keep going back to the centre, the buses come pretty regularly, and they stop directly at the harbour.
If you’re planning on doing this, you can buy your tickets in advance, below.
✅ Getting around Gozo is much easier with the hop-on-hop-off bus!
10:30 – Head to Victoria and Explore the Citadel
So, now that you’ve worked out your transport, it’s time to hop on the bus and head to your first stop. First, we’re heading to Victoria, the vibrant capital of Gozo.
If you love history and enjoy the beautiful sights of Valletta and Rabat in Malta, then you’ll love Victoria. It’s almost like those two places combined with the tiny narrow lanes of Rabat, and the towering citadel and views that Valletta has.
Ironically, Victoria in Gozo is also known as Rabat. There is a lot to do here, and it’s one of the best places to explore local life in Gozo.
I recommend heading straight to the citadel. This ancient fortified city has protected the inhabitants of the island for centuries.
As well as panoramic views over the rolling hills and beautiful countryside of Gozo, you can also visit bustling markets, small shops, charming cafes, and narrow, winding streets. Be sure to visit the cathedral as well
12:30 – Explore Dwejra Bay
Once you’ve had a wander around the citadel, hop back on the bus and head to Dwejra Bay. There are some truly wonderful things to do in this part of the island.
It’s a very impressive landscape with a rich, geological history. You can go for a walk along the cliffs, and find the salt pans.
You can also see the site of the former Azure Window before it collapsed in 2017.
The area is also home to the Inland Sea, a little saltwater lagoon connected to the Mediterranean by a narrow tunnel through the cliffs. I highly recommend getting a boat ride here. It’s really cheap, a lot of fun, and a great way to see Gozo from the water.
Also check out the intriguing Fungus Rock, a massive islet with a unique history tied to the Knights of St. John. Dwejra Bay is also a haven for divers and snorkelers, because of its crystal-clear waters and fascinating underwater scenery.
All in all, I reckon you’ll need at least a couple of hours here to explore, go for a swim, hop on one of the boats, and admire the surroundings. There’s also a little beachside cafe here where you can grab a bite to eat.
14:30 – Visit the Ta’ Pinu Shrine
Once you’ve explored Dwejra, head to the next stop on this Gozo day trip itinerary, Ta’ Pinu Shrine. I think this is one of the most magnificent buildings I saw during my entire time in Malta and Gozo.
It’s one of the most religious sites on the archipelago and the Roman Catholic Basilica is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. It’s a popular pilgrimage site and many people believe that miraculous healings occurred here.
The inside of the building is beautiful with mosaics and intricate carvings. It’s also a really peaceful location surrounded by the countryside. It’s really no wonder that people have travelled here, and continue to do so, from all over the world.
✅ Getting around Gozo is much easier with the hop-on-hop-off bus!
15:30 – Explore the Ggantija Temples
Once you’ve explored the Ta’ Pinu Shrine, you’ll need to hop back on the bus and head to Victoria. Here, you’ll need to change onto the Blue Line of the hop-on-hop-off-bus to visit the Ggantija Temples.
These are some of the oldest temples in the world and many believe them to be even older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. They date back over 5,000 years and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Megalithic Temples of Malta.
The name “Ġgantija” comes from the Maltese word for “giant,” and comes from the local legend that these massive stone structures were built by a race of giants. Many wondered how humans were able to lift such heavy rocks so long ago and I have to say, I thought the same thing!
Each of the colossal limestone rocks is carefully arranged. You’ll find apses, altars, and even ritual spaces that were used for ceremonial purposes. The rocks are huge as well and it’s bonkers to think that they were moved thousands of years ago. Some weigh over 50 tons!
If you’re on a day trip to Gozo, I highly recommend a trip here. They are one of the most interesting sites we visited during our entire week in Malta.
16:30 – Visit Ramla Bay and Tal-Mixta Cave
Once you’ve explored the temples, head back to the bus stop and head to the final stop before we head back to the ferry terminal. This is a gorgeous place to end your day trip to Gozo and one of the most beautiful spots on the island.
Located on the northern coast of Gozo, this area is mostly known for its stunning red-gold sand. It’s one of the most unique beaches in the Maltese islands and is surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery which just makes it even better.
The waters are clear and shallow, perfect for swimming and sunbathing and you can go for a walk in the surrounding area too, which is where you’ll find Tal-Mixta Cave.
Located above the bay, this is slightly more of a hidden gem in Malta. The cave is tucked into the cliffs and is a beautiful photography spot and viewpoint.
It’s quite a walk from Ramla Bay and will take around 35 minutes, however, the views are worth it and the bus only goes to Ramla. If you don’t want to walk, you could always get a taxi to the cave and back to the beach.
Either way, it’s a beautiful spot in Gozo and well worth seeing before you head back to Malta. It’s especially true if you catch it at sunset, which fingers crossed, you do!
18:00 – Hop on the Bus Back to the Ferry Terminal
Finally, it’s time to hop back on the bus to the ferry terminal. From Ramla Bay, you’ll just pass two stops on the Blue Line before you reach the terminal, so you won’t be on the bus for too long.
After that, it’s just a short ferry ride back over to Malta after a wonderful day in Gozo.
✅ Getting around Gozo is much easier with the hop-on-hop-off bus!
Is a Gozo Day Trip Worth it?
I completely think so! Yes, a day trip to Gozo is 100% worth it. This beautiful island is so much more than a “smaller Malta”. It’s vibrant yet relaxed and has a great combination of unique coastal scenery, incredible beaches, wonderful historical sites, and beautiful countryside.
There is a lot to see and you could spend longer than one day in Gozo if you wanted to. However, you can also see a lot of the island on a day trip from Malta and many people choose this option.
So, if you’re planning on visiting Gozo, I hope this post has given you plenty of inspiration on how to spend your day.
👉 Haven’t chosen where to stay yet? Here are all of my favourite hotels in Malta!
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