Malta and Gozo
Staggeringly beautiful and one of my favourite destinations. The tiny Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo are so much more than a beach destination, with Roman ruins, medieval castles, walled cities and atmospheric forts dotted all around, and rugged landscapes giving lots of scope for outdoors activities, including boat trips, diving, hiking, mountain-biking and horse- riding.
This is also a destination with a fabulous food scene. Despite its size, Malta has no fewer than six Michelin-starred restaurants that make the most of the delicious local seafood and other outstanding local produce in dishes accompanied by the fruits of the island’s own vineyards.
Maltese wine can’t be found outside the island, so coming here is an excellent opportunity to taste something unique – the result of the islands rich soil, light sea breezes and 300 days of sunshine a year. I highly recommend hiring a car to visit the local vineyards and taste their award-winning wines.
The European paradise is ideal for a quick break too, you will naturally lapse into a slower pace of life as you watch colourful boats bob on cerulean waters and wander through picturesque limestone cityscapes in Valletta, Mdina and historical three cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. Although Malta only established independence in 1964, its grand buildings belie a rich heritage with influences from Phoenicians through to the French, during Napoleon’s reign and the British.
Since the land is sparsely vegetated, the best views lie seaward. Clamour up a cliff in Ta’Cenc to drink the scenery or climb the stairs of a 17th Century watchtower, built by the knights of Malta. Feel the sea breeze tousle your hair from Mellieha Beach, and deep dive to explore the dramatic subaquatic Bottleneck and Cathedral Cave. Re-emerge to relish the fruits of the sea – gilthead seabream and bluefin tuna.
Enjoy a day trip to the neighbouring island of Gozo
From Cirkewwa on the island of Malta, there’s a boat that operates every 45 minutes. It’s year round but you’ll find that the hours are slightly reduced during the winter. A ticket costs around 5 euros, the process is straight forward, it takes thirty minutes to get from Malta to Gozo. Once you get across the water you’ll arrive in Mgarr, a harbour town on the east coast of Gozo island.
As well as being fertile and lush, Gozo is far more sparsely populated than the main island of Malta, meaning it’s both a hiker’s and photographer’s dream. What really makes the island a holiday paradise, however, is its wonderful beaches and coastal scenery, made even better by the hot weather on the island, which averages between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius between June and September.
A twin centre stay option is always a great opportunity to see more of what these wonderful islands have to offer and for beach lovers you’ll get more time to explore some of Gozoz’s wonderful coves and beaches, here are my pick of the best!
Mgarr is – Xini : Named as one of CNN’s ‘10 best places to see before they change forever’, the amazing Mgarr ix-Xini is a small bay set in a steep-sided rocky valley. It is an incredibly secluded cove, offering tranquillity, relaxation and some wonderful views out to sea. Bring a pair of goggles or a snorkel, and you’ll find a huge array of marine life beneath the waves. The clear water makes this an even more enjoyable experience.
Marsalforn Bay is great if you’re after a more sociable beach experience. It’s one of Gozo’s most popular seaside locations, and is alive with happy beachgoers in the summer. I can certainly see why, as there are few better places to laze about on a summer’s day than on Marsalforn’s soft sand and pebbles. Boats often gather off the shore at this picturesque bay, and there are tour operators in the area running trips either along Gozo’s coast, or to the island of Comino, home to the amazing Blue Lagoon. The popularity of this beach has also meant that there are a number of restaurants and bars within a close proximity for when you fancy a break from the sun.
Another wonderful secluded beach in Gozo is San Blas Bay. It’s a fairly quiet spot, accessible by a steep coastal path. The beach has soft, reddish sand and is surrounded by natural greenery, as well as a picturesque, rocky coastline. A feature of most of Gozo’s beaches, San Blas Bay has crystal clear, gorgeous water, and is the perfect place for a dip under the warm sun. Virtually untouched and very peaceful, San Blas Bay has it all.
Dwejra is located to the far West of Gozo, and is surrounded by astonishing scenery, the highlight of which is the famous Azure Window nearby, an incredible rock formation which has become one of the iconic images of Gozo. The inland sea is also a worthwhile visit from Dwejra Bay, which is a small lagoon, connected to the Mediterranean via a cave tunnel. The waters here are calm and safe, making them perfect for small children. Dwejra Bay itself is also excellent for swimming, although the sea here is rougher, meaning swimming’s is not recommended for children or those inexperienced in the water. Rock pooling, hiking and boat tours are also popular ways to enjoy Dwejra Bay.
Xlendi Bay is the epitome of everything that’s lovely about Gozo’s coastline. The beach is a haven for all ages, with calm, safe waters and soft sand. It’s also surrounded, as so many Gozitan beaches are, with dramatic cliffs and wonderful views. You’ll find Xlendi Bay to the Southwest side of Gozo, and will be well catered for in terms of restaurants and bars, as the area has transformed in recent areas from a quiet fishing village to a popular spot for holidaymakers.
It’s hard to describe this small, pebbly beach near Marsalforn, Wied il-Ghasri is anything other than astonishing. Visit on a calm day and you’ll find that swimming is exceptional from the small inlet, whilst the views out to sea are even better. The beach is squeezed in a deep valley between two impressive cliffs, and swimming between these cliffs is an incredible experience, where you may also meet divers exploring the area’s many underwater caves. If dramatic views, peace and quiet and calm waters are your thing, you can’t help but love Wied il-Ghasri.
With direct flights from under three and a half hours from most UK airports to Malta and short ferry crossing to its beautiful islands, Malta should definitely be up there as one of your top destinations to visit on our ever-increasing wish lists!
