Day Trip to Gozo: How to Get from Malta to Gozo

Malta is a small country made up of 3 main islands in the Mediterranean. Known for being one of the sunniest destinations in Europe, it’s a popular getaway for a few days or even a couple of weeks. Most people choose to stay on the main island (Malta) for their stay but I have to admit, I fell in love with Gozo; the slightly smaller island to the north. Known for its rugged coastline and beaches, it’s a beautiful place to escape to, even if just for a day. So, in this blog post, I’m sharing why you should consider a day trip to Gozo with instructions on how to get from Malta to Gozo and my top tips on what to see and do and how to make the most of your time.

Ready? Let’s go(zo)! 

How to Get from Malta to Gozo

If you plan on doing a day trip to Gozo on your own, then you have two options: rent a car or use public transportation. Both follow the same route however driving is, unsurprisingly, a much faster option that gives you more freedom than relying on the bus. That being said, the bus is cheap and easy so that’s what I’m going to focus on (drivers, you’ll follow the same route).

Getting to the Gozo Ferry

The first step is to get to Cirkewwa which is where you catch the ferry from Malta to Gozo. There is a direct bus from Sliema that will get you there in about an hour. It’s bus number 222 and starts at the Sliema Ferries 2 station.

Please note there are LOTS of stops along the way (55 to be exact) which means this bus can fill up very quickly and, depending on how busy it is, drive past stops along the way. For this reason, I recommend is you are staying in Sliema or even St. Julains, to head to the first stop (Ferries 2) to start your journey to make sure you do actually get on board. Please note depending on how full the bus is, you may or may not get a seat.

The bus from Malta to Gozo runs daily from early morning until night. You can find route times and schedule here.  I also recommend downloading the Moovit app which is great for figuring out local transportation and worked really well in Malta.

PS: You can find my Malta Guide here.

The Gozo Ferry

Once you arrive in Cirkewwa you’ll get off at the last stop which is the ferry station. Inside you can buy your tickets (cash or credit card) from one of the vendors. As of July 2024, the cost for a single adult passenger is 7.50 euro. There are toilets and snack machines inside if you need it. If you are planning on driving in Gozo, you can bring your car over by the ferry. If not, you can leave it in the parking lot and continue the rest of the way on public transit.

The ferry from Malta to Gozo takes about 30 minutes each way and passes by Comino island. If it’s a nice day, head to the top deck for some pretty views.

Arriving in Gozo

Once you have arrived in Gozo you can disembark the ferry and exit the terminal. If you are driving, you can take your car and head off. If you are relying on transit to get around you have two options.

The first option is to join one of the hop-on-hop-off tours for Gozo. It’s an easy and efficient way to see the highlights of Gozo in 1 day. That being said, it’s the most expensive option and can be very busy. However, it does take away a lot of the planning and travel time. If you’d like to book hop-on-hop-off bus tickets to Gozo, you can purchase them in advance here.

The second option is to use the local Gozo buses. These are cheap but can be very time-consuming. Especially if you get on the slow bus like I did. You’ll also need to keep in mind that for each new place you want to go, you’ll have to backtrack to the capital (Victoria) to change buses every time.

How to Spend 1 Day in Gozo

Gozo is a small island but you still can’t expect to see and do it all in one day, especially if you are using public transit to get around. Personally, I think you should take an hour or two to explore the capital, Victoria, then make sure to see at least one or two spots along the coast so you can experience Gozo’s beautiful scenery. If more time allows, add in a couple of other things but keep in mind that you may not get to see everything on this list in one day if you are relying on public transit, so pick and choose what sounds of the most interest to you and start from there.

Here’s what to do in Gozo in 1 Day:

Victoria (Rabat)

Victoria (also known as Rabat) is the capital of Gozo and also where you will find the main bus station to connect you to other parts of the island. It’s pretty small so you can easily just spend a couple of hours here depending on what you want to see or do.

The Cittadella is the main attraction. It is free to go to and offers a look into the history of the island. There are a couple of museums and a church (some have fees to enter) that you can visit. Also, go up the bastion walls for some impressive views over Victoria and the island itself.

After (or before) the Cittadella, I recommend just taking some talk to walk about the streets. There are a few churches you can visit, lots of little boutique shops with local foods, jewellery, and other artisan wares.

Also, if you want to grab some food or drinks to take with you, it’s probably best to do it in Victoria before you head out to the other places I suggest.

Dwejra Bay: Azure Window (remains), Fungus Rock, Inland Sea

To see some of Gozo’s beautiful scenery head to Dwejra Bay. This is where the famous Azure Window used to be and while it (sadly) collapsed a few years ago, the area is still beautiful.

Make sure to wear decent shoes (flipflops aren’t ideal) as you will definitely want to walk along the coast here. Also within the Dwejra Bay area, you can find Fungus Rock, which makes for great photos, and the Inland Sea.

Ta’Pinu

Between Victoria and Dwejra Bay is Ta’Pinu Basilica. It’s absolutely gorgeous and, since it’s set a little bit away from the closest town, offers pretty views. The Basilica as you see it today was built in the early 1900s and follows the neo-romantic style. It’s one of the best things to see in Gozo and one of the most important sites on the island.

If you are taking the local bus, you pass it and can get off here on the way to (or from) Dwejra Bay.

Ramla Beach

If you are looking to experience one of Gozo’s best beaches, then head to Ramla Beach. Located on the north-east of the island, Ramla Beach can be reached by bus (and obviously car). There are a couple of spots to get food but the beach area in unspoiled by any hotels or larger buildings. You can swim and snorkel here, though the ocean floor is rocky so be careful.  

Ggantija

If you are a history lover, then you may want to make a stop at Ggantija. It’s a megalithic temple complex that is older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. According to local legends, Ggantija was constructed by giants. You can get to Ggantija easiest by car, however, local buses do stop nearby as well.  

Malta Tours to Gozo

Not convinced you want to tackle a Gozo day trip on your own? Don’t worry, there are a few options for Malta tours to Gozo as well that do all of the work for you. If the weather is nice, you can even go by boat!

Take a look at these Malta tours to Gozo:

Gozo Full Day Sightseeing Tour 

From Malta: Full Day Quad Bike Tour of Gozo

Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon, & Sea Caves Full-Day Sightseeing 

Final Thoughts on a Day Trip to Gozo

Going to Gozo just for 1 day makes for a long and busy day with a lot of travel time, however, I absolutely think it’s worth it. My day trip to Gozo is one of my favourite memories of my time in Malta and, to be honest, I wish I had spent longer there. Especially since it’s an amazing scuba diving destination; I’ll definitely have to go back one day for that!

My top tip would be to get up early and go (take one of the earliest buses) so you can make sure to get a full day. Especially if you are going during the winter season when daylight hours are shorter like I did!

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase. 

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!