Visitors can expect brilliant blue waters, diving sites, ancient Megalithic Temples, 300 days of sunshine, and year-round festivals while exploring Gozo. The island is part of the Maltese Archipelago in the Mediterranean, accessed only by ferry, and is more rural and less crowded than mainland Malta. Slow tourism, a growing trend, is about taking one’s time to immerse oneself in local culture. Gozo is now attracting travelers looking for authenticity, local farm-to-table experiences, history, and culture this autumn.
Sustainability
Slow tourism is one facet of a larger sustainable tourism trend, reducing the negative effects of mass tourism on the environment. Sustainability is a way of life on Gozo. The locals know the island is unique and that its culture and environment must be protected. The island has begun initiatives like implementing solar panel water heating, using photovoltaic panels, and constructing a wastewater treatment plant.
Many valleys in Gozo are cleaned annually to enhance the catchment areas and prevent runoff from flowing directly into the open sea. The high standards of cleanliness on Gozo’s beaches have earned three of them the prestigious Blue Flag designation. This award is one of the most widely recognized awards for sustainable beach management, and earning it requires meeting specific criteria.
Visitors can reduce their carbon footprint by using alternative modes of transport in Gozo, including walking, cycling, segway tours, and kayaking. There is also a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus with a day pass.
Diving and Beaches
Gozo is considered Calypso’s Isle from Homer’s The Odyssey, making it a must-visit for Greek Mythology fans. Enjoy some of Gozo’s azure waters and environmentally sustainable beaches, where guests can try scuba diving or snorkeling. Malta is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world and THE top in Europe.
Gozo has three gorgeous Blue Flag beaches. One is Ramla Bay Beach, known for its red sand and excellent for relaxing. Marsalforn Bay is another incredible spot. It’s one of the most developed and highly frequented bays to visit, with several restaurants around it. Hondoq ir-Rummien, a rocky beach on Gozo, is also an excellent location for diving.
Numerous breathtaking underwater structures, specifically the Wied Il-Mielah sea arch, are found in the waters of Gozo. Visitors can enjoy a boat trip to Comino and visit the world-famous Blue Lagoon, famous for its natural scenery above and below the water.
A secluded cove worth visiting is Wied il-Ghasri, accessed through a steep flight of stairs due to unlevelled ground. Popular among divers and snorkelers, the Bay has a fascinating network of underwater caves and abundant marine life. Particularly intriguing is a cave with a shaft stretching up to the top of the cliffs.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Gozo is an island steeped in history and culture. Visitors can explore more off-the-beaten-path cultural and historical sites during a longer stay. A must-visit is the Ġgantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in Gozo before the Egyptian Pyramids. It is a great opportunity to experience the remains of ancient history without the crowds of similar World Heritage sites.
Another place to take it slow is the Citadel in Ir-Rabat, or the Cittadella. It is home to museums and is also a heritage site. Gozo’s historical churches are especially interesting for religious pilgrims and groups. Most famous is the stunning man-made structure, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta Pinu.
Village Festas
Visitors can join in Gozitan celebrations, known as festas. Colorful and lively events and festas always feature an abundance of fireworks. The main attractions in every village are the amazing pyro visuals passionately handcrafted by locals each year. At the peak of these celebrations, a procession is held in honor of the village’s patron saints. Streets are decorated with banners and statues while the town churches are elegantly decorated on the exterior and interior. Marching bands play tunes along the village square, or pjazza, accompanied by devout parishioners and street vendors serving traditional cuisine.
Gastronomy – Farm-to-Table
Gozitan farmers grow all their crops organically. Gozo’s food specialties and recipes involve fresh produce. Visitors can support sustainability with the wide variety of organic meals available in Gozo.
Gozo’s tasty ģbejniet (round cheeselets) are made from goat’s milk by the same farmers whose ancestors made them decades before. Most importantly, they are delicious, served fresh or dried, and flavored with pepper and salt.
Visitors can see the 350-year-old salt pans at the Marsalforn salt pans, which cover approximately 3km along the coast. They are integral to a long-standing Gozitan tradition of sea salt production. This method dates back to the Phoenician era, with significant developments during Roman times and continued by local families over generations.
The farmers are just as organic with their wines and olive oil. They have vineyards for fresh winemaking and groves for olives. Visitors can go to these vineyards and groves to taste authentic Maltese wines and olives. Ta Mena Estate is a vineyard that gives tours and is a part of agritourism. Ta Blankas Olive Grove is a garden located on the outskirts of Xewkija and is an incredible place to take a nice stroll and view the beginnings of the creation of Gozitan fresh olive oil.
For a genuine farm-to-table experience, Maldonado Bistro in Gozo offers weekly cooking classes where guests can learn about and participate in preparing traditional Maltese dishes guided by professional chefs. Each class includes a brief guided walk to the Victoria city center to local vegetable shops, butchers, fishmongers, or cheesemongers. After the dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients, guests can enjoy their meal along with local wine and coffee.
Relaxation – Taking it Slow
Gozo offers more than sights; it offers opportunities to unwind during a long stay. The warm Mediterranean climate throughout the year makes off-season visits in the fall and spring less crowded, more “slow,” and more enjoyable. The island has retreat houses, such as the Manresa Retreat House, to find inner peace. There are yoga retreats to relax and exercise. There are also spa facilities to get a massage or slow down for the day.
Gozo invites people to experience the island as a local but without pressure to relax, explore, and discover their culture. Visitors can do all of this while taking steps to keep the environment safe.
