Visiting Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese group is doable in a day from Malta. I took the fast ferry and a mere 45 minutes later I was on Gozo Island. The best day trip – Gozo & Ggantija temples for the win!
Gozo Express (fast ferry)
The Gozo Express leaves Valletta Grand Harbour and takes 45 minutes to reach the island of Gozo. The trip over was incredibly rough, I was not expecting that, and I doubt my fellow passengers were either. There were a lot of green people who disembarked from that boat in Gozo.
The cost is 7.50 Euros each way, very affordable, big clean hydrofoil boat with comfortable seating and plenty of barf bags.
Gozo Island
The Island of Gozo is quite large and has a number of attractions. The biggest city is Victoria, the capital, and definitely worth a visit. When I left the ferry terminal, I took a bus to the Indepenza stop. I walked from there to the megalithic site of Ggantija which took half an hour.
After my visit, I walked from the site to Victoria, taking about 35 minutes to do so. Both walks were utterly charming, passing little stone churches, vineyards and so many wild flower spring blossoms.
I must say though, in places, there were no sidewalks or shoulders, so I was literally walking on the roadway for a good portion of the stretch.
Ggantija
Oh wow, this is a must if you love anything and everything ancient. It is the oldest megalithic site on Malta, dating from 3600BC, older than the Egyptian pyramids. Even though I had seen Tarxien last week, I knew I would not want to miss Ggantija.
This archaeological site is uncovered and open to the elements. Set in a wildflower filled space it is clean a so beautiful. Once you have left the entrance and small museum that houses artifacts found on site, you walk an above ground pathway through a field.
You no sooner come forth from this space and before you, is an incredible white stone structure that takes your breath away.
On the other side of this large wall which is the back of the temple, you can take an elevated pathway into the site at two places. Inside you see altars, paved areas, and a large stone slab that has been carved for years before the site was protected. On this stone is graffiti dating from the 1840’s!
Like Tarxien, there are holes borred into the stone at the doorways, presumably for rope hinges for wooden or fabric interior doors. There are a few carved stones, so beautiful and a room that still has remnants of red ochre paint.
Visiting Ggantija made the days trip absolutely worth while.
Victoria
A beautiful large city, atop a mound in the middle of Gozo Island. There is a large medieval citadel with many smaller churches in the surrounding area. The streets are so charming, and bustling with life.
After exploring the city, I took the bus back to the ferry terminal. I was one hour early for my ride so I walked up to a church, Madonna of Lourdes, atop a steep hill. It was incredibly beautiful and there was not a sole in sight.
Gozo Harbour
From there I walked back down to the harbour and along the shore line until I found an amazing tiny beach. I took of my shoes and waded into the crystal clear turquoise water. The coolness felt delectable on my tired feet at that point. I was 20,000 steps into my day.
The ferry ride back to Valletta was so much calmer, almost like it was a completely different day. Once disembarking, I took the Barrakka lift up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and waited for the 4pm Battery Salute which was so much louder than I anticipated. It scared the socks off me. 🤣
What a day. You will get a work out but wow, was it ever worth it.
