Explore Places Of Interest
The Citadel
Only a couple of families live within the Citadel walls today. In the square you will find the magnificent baroque Cathedral of Gozo dedicated to Santa Marija, or more precisely the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; as well as the Law Courts and the Bishop’s Palace.
Very close by are several fascinating small museums and a state of the art Visitors’ Centre: The Cathedral Museum, the Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum, the Gozo Nature Museum, the Old Prison, the Old Gunpowder Magazine, the Grain Silos, the Battery and the World War II Shelter.
Along the winding streets you will find the historic Chapel of St. Joseph and a number of holy niches (shrines) and bass reliefs. Look out too for well-preserved Norman-style windows and arches. On the façade of historic houses and church buildings can be seen Coat-of-Arms, and it is worth noting that whilst some of the damage is due to the toll of time, some is the deliberate work of Napoleon’s troops who briefly occupied the island at the end of the eighteenth century. Accessible for persons with a disability.
Find On GoogleThe Saltpans
On the north coast of Gozo, just past Qbajjar Bay west of Marsalforn, the coast is characterised by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans protruding into the sea. These 350-year-old salt pans, which stretch about 3km along the coast, are more than just scenic. They are part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of Sea-Salt production that has been passed down within certain families for many generations. During the summer months, locals can still be seen scraping up the crystals of salt. Once collected, the salt is stored and processed in the caves that have been carved into the coastal rock.
Accessible for persons with a disability.
Find On GoogleDwejra Tower
Dwejra Tower (Maltese: Torri tad-Dwejra), sometimes known as Qawra Tower (Maltese: Torri tal-Qawra),is a small watchtower in Dwejra Bay, limits of San Lawrenz on the island of Gozo in Malta. It was completed in 1652, and is one of the Lascaris towers. Today, it is in good condition and is open to the public.
It is one of four surviving coastal watchtowers in Gozo, with the others being Xlendi Tower, Mġarr ix-Xini Tower and Isopu Tower.
Accessible for persons with a disability.
Find On GoogleTa'Pinu Sanctuary
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located some 700 metres (2,300 ft) from the village of Għarb on the island of Gozo, the sister island of Malta. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu. The basilica is located in open countryside which allows visitors to enjoy beautiful views of the area and is of great national importance to Gozitans everywhere.
Find On GoogleCalypso's Cave
Calypso’s Cave overlooks the glorious red sands of Gozo’s finest beach, Ramla l-Ħamra and is alleged to be the cave referred to by Homer in The Odyssey. The story goes that Gozo is Homer’s Island of Ogygia and the cave is the one where the beautiful nymph Calypso keeps Odysseus as a “prisoner of love” for seven years.
Links with Homer are intriguing and the views of the picteresque Ramla Bay are breathtaking. On the shore below Calypso’s Cave are the ruins of a fortification built by the Knights of Malta in the mid-18th century to serve as defence against invading forces.
The cave and part of the promontory are inaccessible to the public due to geological movement.
Find On GoogleWied il-Mielah -Lookout
The valley of Wied il-Mielaħ is rich in flora and a lovely place to walk especially in the autumn and spring. The way down the valley is like a botanical display of vegetation typical of the Mediterranean. Yellow rather than green is the primary colour here especially from late autumn until spring, when many fields bloom with the small yellow flower of the Cape Sorrel.
Find On GoogleWied il-Ghasri -Lookout
The gorge is a hidden gem with stunning scenery and walks in every direction. You can walk here from the coast of Qbajjar Beach past the salt pans and along the beach, stopping for a picnic en route. It's a beautiful walk that takes a couple of hours, although you want to keep stopping. There are steps that take you down into the gorge for swimming .