Nancy and Peter welcome you to Ta Marie’s BnB, your Gozo home away from home! Merħba! A boutique BnB settled in 200+ year old traditional House of Character on one of the highest towns in Gozo with magnificent views over the seaside and valleys. We offer our guests a comfortable, luxurious, and tranquil stay with a warm personal approach. 

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Gozo is an idyllic haven, the sort of place many of us dream of escaping to after a bad day at work. Its sleepy towns, unspoilt countryside and spectacular coastline make this sun-blessed island a perfect slice of heaven for travelers who hate touristy areas. Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Malta, Gozo is by far more tranquil, more picturesque than its larger sister island. There is so much to see, we can only give you a glitch of what is possible.

The Citadella and Victoria

Victoria (also called Rabat in Maltese), the capital city located in the center of the island. The Citadella is for sure the main attraction in Victoria. This fortified city was recently fully renovated and offers a great 360 view over the surrounding countryside, villages, the sea and up to Malta. There is no entrance fee to the Citadella, and you’ll be able to enjoy its streets freely. You can also visit the baroque Cathedral of the Assumption for a small fee.

Additionally, there are several museums inside the Citadella:

• The Cathedral Museum has a nice collection of religious items used by the Church like crucifixes and chalices.
• The Museum of Archeology will take you on a historical journey from the ancient civilizations living on Gozo until the time of the Order of Malta.
• The Folklore Museum, to learn more about the local lifestyle and traditions.
• The Nature Museum, about local nature and wildlife
• The Old Prison, where you can visit old prison cells.

After visiting the Citadella, stop by Independence Square to wander through the daily market, and go to St. George’s Basilica. As the outside is entirely covered by marble, it was nicknamed the Marble Basilica. The inside is also worth a look, with some wonderful paintings on the ceiling.

Once you’re done, take a walk in the city center’s narrow streets. You’ll find there plenty of gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants. For even more shopping options, Republic street, the city’s main street, the 2 shopping malls of the island! You will probably need a break after all this shopping. The best place for this is for sure the Villa Rundle public park. Just sit and relax, while enjoying one of the few shaded areas in Gozo.

The Quiet Bay at Dahlet Qorrot

Another great place for a quick dip is the small inlet known as Dahlet Qorrot. Situated close to San Blas Bay, this charming pebbly beach also serves as a fishing harbor. One side of the bay is lined with colorful boathouses, and if you’re lucky, you might come across a few fishermen mending their nets or re-painting their boats.

If you walk up the steep, never-ending road by the side of the bay you’ll eventually get to the Isopu Tower at the top of the craggy hill. The watchtower offers staggering views of both Dahlet Qorrot and San Blas Bay.

The Punic-Roman Remains in Wardija

Walking along the coast from Dwejra and past the fungus rock, you’ll come to a stunning viewpoint, as well as an artificial cave dating back to the 3rd century BC. The cave is believed to have been originally used as a nymphaeum during the Punic era, and the crosses carved into the wall suggest that the cave was later converted into a Christian place of worship.

The Narrow Creek in Wied il-Ghasri

Close to our home, this creek wedged between rugged high cliffs makes the perfect bathing place for those seeking some peace and quiet- although you might find a few people swimming there in summer. A set of uneven stairs cut into the rock will lead you to the tiny shingle beach at the end of the inlet. The fjord-looking bay is also a great spot for diving and snorkeling. The valley of Ghasri is also home to several traditional salt pans, many of which are still in use. Whilst you’re there, take a walk along the coastal cliffs, keeping your eyes on the ground. The star-like patterns that you see embedded in the rocks are fossilized sea urchins, and there are literally hundreds of them dotting the area.

The Rock Window of Wied il-Mielah

Just “around the corner” from Wied il-Ghasri, you find another gem in the valley. It might not be as popular as the iconic Azure Window, but this majestic square-shaped coastal arch is equally spectacular. A staircase carved into the cliff leads to the mouth of the valley, where you can peek through the natural window. In rough weather, you can watch the sea crashing against the rocks and spilling over the gorge in ferocious tides.

The Old Battery in Qala

This 18th century military outpost is situated on the vast garigue land at Ras il-Qala, overlooking the channel between the islands. The surrounding landscape has remained almost unchanged since the battery was built. Qala is the easternmost village in Gozo and one of the earliest inhabited areas on the island. If you’re looking for a more adventure on the island, go for a hike along Qala’s rough and rocky coastline and keep walking along the coast until your reach Ramla Bay. You’ll need to do some bouldering along the way, so a good level of fitness is required for this walk. Always carry sufficient drinking water!

The Hidden Boathouses in Dwejra

On the North-Western part of Gozo is Dwejra, home of the Azure Window, unfortunately collapsed in 2017, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing left to see there!

Go for a small hike along the coast towards the fungus rock. There you’ll find a series of boathouses carved into the rock, some of them looking rather derelict. The year 1945 is etched into the stone next to one of the boathouses, and the jetty looks like it hasn’t been used for a long while. In fact, there’s a sense of mystery about the place, which you’ll instantly pick up.

Other natural wonders to see in the area:

• The Fungus Rock is located at the entrance of Dwejra bay. The legend says Knights Hospitaller discovered a special kind of fungus on this rock. Believed to have incredible medicinal properties, only nobles could benefit from the fungus. It was said to cure infections, dysentery, ulcers and more. Such a precious plant had to be protected, so access to the rock was restricted and even watched by a guard! Later on, modern medicine showed that the plant wasn’t in fact that incredible…
• The Inland Sea is a seawater lagoon linked to the sea by a 80 meters long tunnel going under high cliffs. It’s the perfect spot to go swimming with children, as the water is calm and warmer than in other places.
• The Blue Hole is a famous diving site in Gozo. You dive in the hole and then reach the sea through a 7 meters underwater arch.

The Prehistoric Ruins at Ta’ Cenc

Gozo has been inhabited since 5000 BC. Ta’ Cenc is home to some of the most overlooked archaeological remains in Gozo, including various cart-ruts and two dolmens dating back to the Bronze Age. Known as Id-Dura tax-Xaghra l-Kbira and Id-Dura tal-Mara, the dolmens are believed to have been used for burial purposes around 2500-700 B.C. They are a bit difficult to spot among the smattering of shrubs and rocks that make up the vast garrigue land at Ta’ Cenc.

The Secluded Beach at San Blas Bay

If you fancy a dip in the Med after a few hours of trekking, head to this tiny, secret beach in the north-eastern part of the island. San Blas Bay is difficult to get to, and therefore it is sparsely visited by tourists. Most people head to neighboring Ramla Bay, a larger sandy beach which can be accessed by car. Surrounded by picturesque valleys, San Blas Bay boasts super clear waters and rust-colored sand. You’ll need to walk down a steep hill to get to the beach, but it’s worth every bead of sweat.

The Rugged Cliffs of Sannat

Rising to a height of 120m, Ta’ Cenc Cliffs on the southern coast of the island are a stunning place for a walk. The cliffs are also an important breeding site for protected bird species, like the Cory’s shearwater, Yelkouan shearwater and the European storm petrel. Archaeological remains have been discovered within walking distance from the cliffs, which include the two dolmens mentioned above and the ruins of a megalithic temple, known as Borg l-Imramma.

The Salt Pans of Marsalforn

Marsalforn salt pans is my favorite spot in Gozo, I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. To reach the salt pans, you’ll have to pass by Marsalforn. During summertime, this is a top beach town destination for both locals and tourists, not my personal favorite. If you keep going west you’ll reach the 350 years old salt pans. It’s a wonderful promenade area spreading over 3km. The salt pans are still exploited today by several families, specifically between May and September, when salt is harvested. During high season, you can purchase some from vendors on the side of the road.

Ramla Bay Beach

Ramla Bay is the largest and most beautiful sandy beach in Gozo thanks to its red sand. Some people even consider it’s the best beach in Malta! No need to say it’s quite crowded during summer. It’s very easy to get there, you can park next to the beach on the free parking. In addition, water’s depth is very gradual and it’s guarded, making it the perfect beach if you have children. The beach also has various amenities: a restaurant, a coffee shop, ice-cream vendors and public bathrooms. You can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

Ggantija Temples

Ggantija megalithic temple complex is located in Xaghra, East of Victoria. This Unesco World Heritage site is older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge! “Ggantija” means “giant” in Maltese. Gozitan people were convinced that only giants could have been able to carry and put together such massive rocks. Some of them weigh more than 5 tons and are 5 meters long. Even today, no one really knows for sure how did the rocks get there, so you should be inclined to believe the giants theory, it’s the coolest one! The site is made of 2 temples: the South and the North one. Both form a vast 40 meters long and 6 meters high complex. It’s the biggest megalithic complex you’ll find in Malta. There is also a small museum with additional information about the site and artefacts found there.

Every day we are discovering new things and hidden gems on the island of Gozo and we have been here now for more than a year. Our discovery goes over food, culture, architecture, sports, people and so much more of great things the island has to offer and we would gladly share it with all of you. For sure, Gozo should be a place you have visited and share your experiences and findings with your friends and family. For sure Gozo is not the “traditional” vacation place, rather the hidden gem of The Mediterranean. Let your compass guide you this beautiful island and be the Columbus to share it in your circles. We look forward welcoming you. Merħba!