Island of Gozo

Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, second in size to the island of Malta. In Maltese, the island is called Għawdex (pronounced áw-desh). Gozo is part of the country of Malta.

Gozo is 67 km² in size, which is approximately the same size as Hong Kong Island. It lies approximately 6 km northwest from the nearest point of Malta, is of oval form, 14 km in length and 7.25 km in extreme breadth. Gozo is famed for its character and places of interest. Some of these are the Calypso cave, the Ġgantija Neolithic temples which is the oldest man made structure. It is more picturesque than the larger sister island of Malta, and the land is more fertile.

Gozo's finest attribute is the stunning Ramla Bay, whose lurid orange-red sand and crystal clear turquoise waters make it one of the finest beaches in Europe. Nearby San Blas is another world-class beach.

GOZO, or GHAWDEX [Awdesch] as it is locally known, lies about 20 minutes away by ferry. Measuring about one third the size of Malta it has a character quite distinct from Malta; it is primarily a fishing and farming community and the countryside is greener and more spectacular . Thanks to controls over building developments, Gozo still looks intact and mostly unspoilt. Flat-topped hills and intensely cultivated fields characterize the landscape whilst the coast has rugged cliffs, steep valleys and beautiful inlets.

Its main historical attractions are the megalithic temples of Ggantija which, according to the latest analysis, date back to around 4000 years BC. There are also other interesting testimonies from the prehistoric ties of Malta, notably the "Menhir" of Qala, "Santa Verna", a smaller temple close to Xaghra, and the Temples Tal-Qighan and Ta Marziena.

Gozo - with tiny Comino - is a place to escape to at any time of the year. Even if you are on holiday in Malta.

The people are welcoming and friendly, the countryside both dramatic and picturesque and if you want to get away from it all, you can. It has all the essential ingredients that make it an ideal holiday destination. Even if you are there for a short visit, it is easy to see why Gozo has become known as undiscovered paradise

The charm of Gozo is apparent the moment you arrive there. Greener, more rural and smaller than Malta, life on Gozo moves at a leisurely pace. The rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. In winter and spring, the Island is covered with flowering herbs and lush crops. In summer, it’s awash with oleander, bougainvillea and geranium.

Gozo is steeped in myth. Thought to be the legendary Calypso’s isle of Homer’s Odyssey, it’s a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Its rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration. Choose from rocky inlets to red sand beaches or sail, snorkel, dive and fish. Gozo has some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites. But there’s more. Gozo comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas. Plus one of the archipelago’s best-preserved prehistoric temples, Ggantija. Not to mention a nightlife and cultural calendar all its own, and some great dining out. At every turn one finds oleanders, geraniums and bougainvillea in full bloom in summer and lush crops in the fields in winter, while picturesque villages with imposing baroque parish churches and charming farmhouses, dot the countryside.