Arrival in Gozo

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Gozo and Comino

9th April 2026

As well as the main island, Malta has two smaller islands, Gozo and tiny Comino (3.5 km²). On our holiday we didn’t make it to the latter but we spent a week walking in Gozo. It’s also quite small, 67 km2, with a good bus service, so we managed to cover most of the places on the map above.

We flew directly from Glasgow to Valletta with Jet2 whose service we found very good for a basic airline. I was fascinated with the view as we flew over the Alps, but John was asleep and missed it all!

Everything, including transfers, had been booked by our travel company, Headwater, so when we arrived we were picked up immediately and driven to the ferry port for our trip to Gozo. On the other side we were again picked up by taxi and taken to our hotel in Victoria, the largest settlement on the island.

A few shots from the ferry:

Our hotel, The Duke, was very comfortable and had excellent staff. From our balcony we looked down on Villa Rundle Gardens and from the breakfast room we had a view of the Citadella and the building works across the road which seemed less than health and safety friendly!

Before we left home I had researched restaurants in Victoria and booked the first three nights. On our first evening we ate in Roza Bistro which we liked so much we returned a few days later for John’s birthday dinner. We enjoyed sampling Maltese wine too – I had no idea there was such a thing, or how good it would be.

After dinner we had our first wander round the old town and Citadella. Below are some of the narrow streets and the Church of St Augustine.

Then we walked up to the Citadella which includes the Cathedral of the Assumption. From the Citadella walls there are good views over the town, including of the prominent St George’s Basilica. We visited both these churches later in the week.

Then it was home to bed, ready to start our walking the next day. More to follow!

Gozo, Malta

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  2. Gozo is lovely and nice to see it again especially the atmospheric night shots. I never saw it at night as my visits there were always on a day trip from Malta. As well as the ferry you used there is also a catamaran to Valletta now which is a massive time saver! I saw a lot of the coast of Gozo but not so much of the inland so hoping you will be going to some of the places I missed!

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  3. Wonderful photos, stunning place 😀

    Thanks for your kind words Anabel. They are more than just pets, part of the family as you said. Never felt pain like this before 😦

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  5. Looks a fascinating Island. Always something special about exploring islands that size. Not too large to be intimidating in scale but big enough to have plenty of extra interest within easy reach each day. Bob. BSS.

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  6. What health and safety 😉 Night walking is so more relaxing especially after a satisfying dinner. I’m pleased that you both enjoyed John’s birthday celebration dinner, sounds perfect.

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  10. Gozo looks amazing from your arrival in sunshine and blue skies to your evening wander through those charming narrow streets. It looks as though you had the place to yourselves! Look forward to finding out more about this hidden gem!

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  13. Was this one of your organised though independent, walking holidays? I have visited Gozo twice – once in 1979 when my second husband (though he wasn’t at the time) hired a mini in Valetta and we explored the island. Bought traditional cable knit sweaters from Gozo. Second visit was more recent with David, we went over for a day trip on a coach tour. Thoroughly enjoyed the island and Malta. But I don’t recollect the wine 🤔

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  15. I didn’t make it to Gozo from Valetta (a day trip was organised but I dropped out to do my own thing and see more of Valetta itself) so I’m going to follow this trip account with great interest. I love the look of Victoria at night 😀

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  19. Love the fact John missed the Alps…look out on th jourñey home! Those narrow streets n Gozo look brilliant for exploring, and John looks happy witțh his wine in the bistro!

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  22. It sounds like you had good service from the travel company. I love all the night shots, those narrow streets and alleys look great places to wander and explore.

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    • We did have good service – we’ve been using Headwater off and on since the 1980s and have never had any problems. Well, only once when a pickup in France failed to turn up but it was resolved easily. The old town was lovely to wander round by day or by night. Easy to get lost in! For me anyway, John has a sense of direction.

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