Best Places to See in Gozo (2025)

The Citadel — or Cittadella — is Gozo’s ancient fortress, standing proudly over Victoria. Once a refuge against pirate raids, it’s now a beautifully preserved hub of museums, churches, and cobblestone streets. Climb the bastions for panoramic views over the island’s patchwork fields and glittering sea.

By day, the Citadel hums with visitors exploring its narrow alleys; by night, it glows softly under golden light. It’s the beating heart of Gozo’s heritage and one of Malta’s most atmospheric historic sites.

Dominating Victoria’s skyline, the Cathedral of the Assumption is an architectural masterpiece dating from the late 1600s. Designed by Lorenzo Gafà, it impresses with its elegant baroque façade and an ingenious ceiling fresco that creates the illusion of a dome.

Inside, golden light spills over marble altars and ornate carvings, while outside, sweeping views stretch across Gozo’s countryside. It’s both a place of worship and a symbol of resilience that has anchored the island for centuries.

Next to the Gozo Cathedral lies the Cathedral Museum, a quiet sanctuary of sacred art and history. Inside, silver chalices, embroidered vestments, antique manuscripts, and religious paintings reveal centuries of devotion and craftsmanship. Each exhibit speaks of the island’s enduring faith and artistic heritage.

The museum’s calm ambience contrasts beautifully with the bustle outside the Citadel walls. Visitors often linger here, soaking up the sense of reverence that defines Gozo’s spiritual heart.

Housed in a 17th-century townhouse near the Citadel’s entrance, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology charts the island’s evolution from prehistory to Roman times. Exhibits include Neolithic pottery, carved figurines, and artefacts from the legendary Ġgantija Temples.

It’s small but captivating — every room adds another layer to Gozo’s story, connecting the island’s ancient settlers with the people who live here today. This is where you truly grasp how deeply history runs through the island’s veins.

Hidden within Victoria’s Citadel, the Old Prison is one of the island’s most fascinating historical gems. Dating back to the 16th century, it once held rebellious knights and local offenders under the rule of the Knights of St John. Its narrow corridors and stark limestone cells tell stories of confinement, discipline, and survival.

What makes it unique are the carvings — intricate graffiti etched by former prisoners depicting ships, crosses, and symbols of faith. They transform bare stone walls into personal time capsules, bringing Gozo’s medieval past to life.

Standing proudly on an open plain near Għarb, the Ta’ Pinu Basilica is Gozo’s spiritual heart. Built in the early 20th century on the site of a small chapel where miraculous healings were reported, it has since become one of Malta’s most important pilgrimage destinations. Its neo-Romanesque architecture and soaring bell tower make it a beacon visible for miles.

Inside, light pours through stained glass onto intricate mosaics and marble altars, creating an atmosphere of deep peace. Surrounding countryside paths lined with mosaic panels of the Way of the Cross offer quiet contemplation. Even for non-religious visitors, Ta’ Pinu’s serenity and scenic setting are profoundly moving.

Nestled in the village of Xagħra, the Ta’ Kola Windmill is a living monument to Gozo’s agricultural past. Built during the 18th century under the Knights of St John, it once served as a vital grain mill for local farmers. Today, its lovingly restored sails and machinery transport visitors back to a simpler era of hard work and craftsmanship.

The interior doubles as a museum of rural life, showcasing traditional tools, furniture, and even the miller’s modest living quarters. As you wander through, you can almost hear the creak of wooden gears and feel the pulse of a bygone Gozo that thrived on self-sufficiency and community.

Stretching gracefully across the valley near Victoria, the Gozo Aqueduct is one of the island’s most picturesque relics of the 19th century. Constructed under British rule around the 1840s, it once transported fresh water from Għar Ilma to the capital. Though no longer functional, the series of stone arches remains an enduring symbol of Victorian engineering and practical ingenuity.

The aqueduct’s rural backdrop makes it a favourite stop for photographers and history lovers alike. Bathed in the soft golden light of sunset, it feels almost timeless — a quiet reminder of how Gozo adapted modern innovations while retaining its rustic charm.

The Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra are among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth — older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. Built around 3600 BC, these massive megaliths were dedicated to a fertility cult, their monumental scale giving rise to the legend that giants constructed them. Walking through the temple’s stone corridors is a humbling experience that connects you directly to prehistoric humanity.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ġgantija is astonishing in its preservation and scale. The adjacent visitor centre adds valuable context, displaying artefacts and multimedia exhibits that bring the Neolithic world to life. It’s not just a historical site — it’s a sacred place where myth and archaeology intertwine.

Along the northern coast near Marsalforn, the Xwejni Salt Pans form a shimmering mosaic of shallow rock-cut pools stretching for nearly three kilometres. For hundreds of years, local families have harvested sea salt here each summer using age-old methods — filling, drying, and collecting the pure crystals by hand.

The sight of these geometric basins glistening in the sun is captivating, especially at sunrise or sunset. Beyond their visual beauty, they represent a living tradition — a sustainable craft that has linked Gozo’s people to the sea for generations.

Tucked away between steep limestone cliffs, Wied il-Għasri is one of Gozo’s best-kept secrets. This narrow, winding inlet leads to a small pebble beach and crystalline turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The descent through the valley adds a sense of discovery and seclusion.

Far from the crowds, the gorge exudes a serene magic, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens on the rocks. It’s a place where nature still feels untouched — a sanctuary for photographers, swimmers, and anyone seeking solitude and raw beauty.

Overlooking the dramatic landscape of Dwejra Bay, the Dwejra Watchtower has stood sentinel since 1652. Built by the Knights of St John, it served as a lookout against corsair attacks and as a signal point for nearby fortifications. Today, the restored tower offers sweeping views of the coastline and the open sea beyond.

Visitors can climb to the rooftop for a 360-degree panorama encompassing the Blue Hole, the Inland Sea, and the remains of the famous Azure Window. Managed by local volunteers, the tower doubles as an information centre about Gozo’s coastal defences and natural environment.

Carved by centuries of wind and waves, the Wied il-Mielaħ Arch is a spectacular limestone formation on Gozo’s northwest coast. After the collapse of the Azure Window, it became the island’s new natural icon — a soaring rock bridge that perfectly frames the deep blue horizon.

Accessible via a scenic coastal walk, the arch feels wonderfully remote. From the viewpoint above, the interplay of sea spray and sunlight creates mesmerising reflections. It’s a photographer’s dream and a reminder of nature’s power to reshape beauty from loss.

One of the Mediterranean’s most famous dive sites, the Blue Hole near Dwejra Bay is a natural underwater sinkhole formed by centuries of erosion. Divers descend through a vertical shaft into a world of marine life, coral gardens, and shadowy arches connecting to the open sea.

Even from above, the Blue Hole enchants with its vivid colours and surrounding cliffs. The contrast of calm turquoise water against rugged rock makes it an essential stop for both adventurers and photographers exploring Gozo’s coastline.

High above Ramla Bay, the Tal-Mixta Cave offers one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Gozo. Its wide, arched entrance perfectly frames the beach’s golden-red sand and the turquoise expanse beyond, creating a scene that feels almost cinematic. Reaching it involves a short drive and a brief hike — well worth every step.

Inside, the cave provides cool shade and natural acoustics that amplify the sound of waves below. Many visitors come here at sunrise or sunset, when the light transforms the view into a glowing panorama. It’s the perfect finale to any Gozo adventure — a natural masterpiece where sea, land, and sky unite.