Known as Malta’s little sister, Gozo is a rural island with plenty of natural scenery. A Mediterranean island, its gastronomic influences include Sicilian, Oriental and British dishes.
Beyond its culinary appeal, Gozo is also a great place to stay, especially during the high season. With its tourist towns and villages, its history, its culture and its crystal-clear beaches, the Maltese island has plenty to offer. But how do you know where to stay in Gozo?
In this article, we give you our advice on the different districts, accommodation and prices for an unforgettable stay.
Main information
Before going into the description of the areas to focus on when selecting accommodation in Gozo, here are the essentials you need to know to get a better idea of it from a tourist point of view.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Gozo:
- $ this accommodation offers a view over the Gozo countryside
- $$ this value-for-money hotel is ideally located opposite Xlendi bay
- $$$ this luxury establishment, one of the best places to stay in the capital of Gozo
Map of different areas to stay in Gozo
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommended hotels or apartments where to stay in Gozo. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas of Gozo that we will cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for small budgets, blue for mid-range and red for luxury hotels.
The essentials for accommodation in Gozo
Places to stay in Gozo
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Gozo.
Staying in the capital: Victoria
Located in the center of Gozo, Rabat, a derivative of the Arabic word for fortress, is also called Città Victoria to differentiate it from Rabat, which already exists in Malta. The latter name was chosen as a tribute to Queen Victoria before Gozo became independent from the British Empire.
The town is the island's capital. It has a medieval city at its center. If you stay here, you'll have easy access to the baroque Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral. Atop its ramparts, you'll have an unobstructed view of Gozo and Malta, just 6 kilometers away.
Staying here means you're close to Independence Square, which is bustling with activity all day long. It has many cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as souvenir stores. A market is held here every morning. Other nearby places to visit if you choose to stay in Victoria include:
- folklore Museum ,
- the History Museum
- the Archaeological Museum ,
- st. George's Basilica.
A ten-minute walk from the center, you'll find the bus station, which will enable you to get from one city to another. As far as accommodation is concerned, the capital has very few hotels. On the other hand, there are many other types of accommodation to stay, such as apartments. Prices are affordable, with offers for small, medium and large budgets.
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Overlooking the Gozo countryside, this bed and breakfast offers bright, modern accommodation in Victoria.
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Just a stone's throw from the center of town, this Maltese building offers large rooms that blend the old with the new.
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This fabulous accommodation is located in a renovated old farmhouse, typical of Gozo. You'll find the entire accommodation with magnificent vaulted ceilings and exposed stonework, typical of the Mediterranean.
Stay in Xlendi and enjoy its gastronomy
Xlendi is a small village on the west coast south of Gozo. It is a tourist and seaside resort. Indeed, its scuba diving bases attract many people every year to practice this activity.
Its fine sandy beaches, incredible seascapes and panoramic views of the island's wilderness make it an idyllic destination for accommodation.
But Xlendi isn't just about diving. Staying here also gives you the chance to sample the local cuisine, with its many restaurants and bars. At night, theatmosphere is lively, with discos like La Grotta overflowing with tourists in summer.
In terms of tourism, if you choose to stay overnight, you'll have easier access to the Caroline cave, the Sanap cliffs and the Xlendi tower, the oldest observation tower on the coast at the foot of Gozo.
Staying in Xlendi will allow you to enjoy its sumptuous emerald-colored bay and its magnificent sunsets from the comfort of your accommodation.
Accommodation in this area is hard to come by, as there are very few hotels. So try to book in advance to ensure availability. Otherwise, the accommodation on offer is reasonable, with a low to medium price range.
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This bed and breakfast offers comfortable rooms, some with a small terrace. You can also take advantage of the two swimming pools.
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Located opposite the bay of Xlendi, this hotel offers beautiful rooms, some with sea views. A bus stop is also nearby.
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This beautiful seaside hotel offers spacious, traditional rooms with exposed stonework. It's also in a quiet location.
Stay in Marsalforn, north of Gozo
Marsalforn is located on Gozo's north coast. It's an old port that has become one of Gozo's most popular tourist spots, with a beach that attracts many tourists every summer.
It's a very touristy area in summer, but one that regains its tranquility in winter. If you choose to stay here during the high season, there are plenty of activities for tourists and locals alike, including scuba diving courses and a funfair.
Staying here means you can enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters, or visit one of the many restaurants, cafés or bars.
If you want to stay in Marsalforn, there's one site you won't want to miss during your stay: the salt marshes. Carved directly into the rock, they offer a spectacular view of the sea. Staying in this area also means you can reach the red sandy beach of Ramla in just ten minutes by car.
Marsalforn is a 15-minute bus ride from Victoria. If you decide to stay overnight, buses can take you to the capital to visit the surrounding area. As far as accommodation is concerned, theoffer is diverse and varied, with a wide price range. So it's easy to find a place to stay.
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This charming bed and breakfast has beautiful rooms, some with balcony or terrace. Each room is decorated differently, but always with a Maltese cultural theme.
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Close to shops and the sea, this establishment offersspacious, fully-equipped accommodation in a quiet street.
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This seaside accommodation features a terrace with sea views. It is modern and well-equipped. It's also just 5 minutes from a bus stop.
Stay in other areas of Gozo
You can also stay in other Gozo villages, such as Le Gharb, San Lauwrenz or Qala.
Le Gharb is a charming little village on the island's west coast. If you choose to stay there, you'll be close to the famous Ta'Pinu Basilica and the Folklore Museum.
Otherwise, Le Gharb is not very touristy. There are few restaurants, but a few hiking trails that will appeal to some travelers. This area is ideal for a quiet place to stay on an average budget.
San Lawrenz is also a quiet village on Gozo. If you decide to stay here, you'll be close to the well-known Azure Window, which unfortunately collapsed in 2017 due to a storm. But it's still a site not to be missed. Then there's Fungus Rock and Djewra Bay.
This area offers accommodation to suit all budgets, but unfortunately has few restaurants.
Qala is on the east coast. It's a less-touristy area, more suited to travelers who want to stay and enjoy the beaches. Due to its small size, it offers few accommodations at relatively low prices.
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Close to Dwejra Bay, this San Lawrenz establishment offerstraditional Mediterranean accommodation and an outdoor swimming pool.
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Located in a historic building in Le Gharb, this former farmhouse offers spacious, traditional rooms in a beautiful setting.
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This modern Qala establishment offers spacious, tastefully decorated accommodation. Staying in this beautiful place will make your stay relaxing and enjoyable.
Summary
Part of the Maltese archipelago, Gozo remains a must-see destination on a trip to Malta. Quieter than Malta, Gozo has both historic towns and more peaceful seaside resorts.
This destination is ideal for families looking for independence in an apartment, for those wishing to get in touch with the locals in a bed & breakfast or for those wishing to stay in villas without breaking the budget. In fact, Gozo offers a fairly wide range of prices, so it’s easy to find accommodation for not too much money. Nevertheless, don’t wait too long to book!