Malta's quieter sister island moves at its own unhurried pace — where temples older than Stonehenge stand beside baroque church domes, red-sand beaches meet crystal-clear coves, and the scent of wood-fired bread drifts through limestone villages.
Gozo is a tender port — ships anchor offshore and run boats to the Mgarr Harbour quay, shared with the local car-ferry terminal.
💡 Pro move: Large cruise ships (MSC, Royal Caribbean, NCL) typically dock in Valletta on the main island and offer shore excursions with a ferry crossing to Gozo — check your ship's schedule.
Gozo has no dedicated cruise pier; all ships use the Mgarr Harbour quay as a tender landing.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small/expedition/luxury ships (Windstar, Ponant, Seabourn, Silversea) | Anchor off Mgarr; tender to quay📍 | Tendered |
| Large ships visiting Gozo via Valletta | Shore excursion ferry crossing from Malta📍 | Tendered |
From prehistoric temples to dramatic sea caves, Gozo packs a remarkable variety of experiences into a small, easily explored island.
The UNESCO-listed Ggantija megalithic temples (3600 BC) are among the oldest free-standing stone structures on Earth — older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The on-site museum puts their scale and age in context.
Find Ggantija temple tours →The medieval walled hilltop city at the heart of Gozo is free to enter. Walk the massive limestone ramparts for 360-degree views of the entire island, then explore the Cathedral, Old Prison, and archaeology museum inside.
Find Victoria Citadel tours →Though the Azure Window arch collapsed in 2017, Dwejra remains spectacular. The Inland Sea — a seawater lagoon connected to the open ocean through a cave tunnel — is a highlight. Local fishermen run short boat rides through the cave (~€5). The Blue Hole beside it is one of the Mediterranean's top dive sites.
Find Dwejra boat and dive tours →Gozo's premier beach is famous for its rich, reddish-gold sand — rare in the Mediterranean. Wide and easy to reach, with sunbed rentals, a café, and the ruins of a Roman villa at the far end. The Tal-Mixta cave above the bay offers the island's most photographed viewpoint.
Find Ramla Bay beach tours →Gozo's food culture is distinctly its own: wood-fired ftira flatbreads topped with local sheep's milk cheese (gbejniet), slow-cooked rabbit stew, and hand-harvested sea salt from the Xwejni salt pans. A tour combining the bakery village of Nadur and the Marsalforn salt pans is a memorable cultural snapshot.
Find Gozo food and cooking tours →Gozo's waters are exceptionally clear with numerous sea caves, arches, and swim-throughs. Hondoq ir-Rummien cove — just a few kilometres from the pier — offers turquoise water and views of Comino island. Half-day kayaking circuits combine coastal scenery with snorkelling stops.
Find Gozo snorkelling and kayak tours →Gozo rewards walkers willing to tackle its hills, with coastal paths, clifftop viewpoints, and village lanes connecting major sites.
A steady uphill walk from the ferry port through the village of Ghajnsielem and up to the walled hilltop capital. The route rewards with panoramic countryside views and ends at the Citadel ramparts.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A flat coastal promenade stroll from the resort town of Marsalforn westward along 350-year-old rock-cut salt pans still harvested by local families. Highly photogenic, especially in morning light.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Gozo Island, Malta (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59°F / 15°C | 55°F / 13°C | 9 | 7:12 AM | 5:11 PM |
| Feb | 59°F / 15°C | 55°F / 13°C | 7 | 6:50 AM | 5:44 PM |
| Mar | 60°F / 16°C | 56°F / 13°C | 8 | 6:13 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Apr | 62°F / 17°C | 59°F / 15°C | 3 | 6:29 AM | 7:36 PM |
| May | 67°F / 19°C | 63°F / 17°C | 3 | 5:57 AM | 8:01 PM |
| Jun | 75°F / 24°C | 70°F / 21°C | 0 | 5:45 AM | 8:21 PM |
| Jul | 80°F / 27°C | 76°F / 24°C | 0 | 5:57 AM | 8:19 PM |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 1 | 6:21 AM | 7:52 PM |
| Sep | 79°F / 26°C | 75°F / 24°C | 4 | 6:45 AM | 7:09 PM |
| Oct | 74°F / 23°C | 70°F / 21°C | 8 | 7:09 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Nov | 69°F / 21°C | 65°F / 18°C | 11 | 6:39 AM | 4:54 PM |
| Dec | 63°F / 17°C | 59°F / 15°C | 8 | 7:06 AM | 4:49 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
City Sightseeing Gozo operates a hop-on hop-off bus with a stop directly outside the cruise terminal, visible from the ship. Valid all day.
Official taxis wait at Mġarr Harbour. The 6 km ride to Victoria (Rabat), the island capital, takes about 10–15 minutes.
Bolt is the dominant app-based ride-hail on Gozo with competitive fares (€4 base + €1/km). Uber available as backup but less reliable locally.
Route 301 runs from Mġarr Ferry Terminal directly to Victoria. Budget-friendly but infrequent — check schedules at visitgozo.com before your visit.
Several local agencies operate on Gozo. A car gives full flexibility on this small island (67 km²) — most major sights are under 20 minutes from the port.
Upcoming cruises that call at Gozo Island, Malta. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.