Gozo walking 6: Qala to Mgarr
15th April 2026
This, our last full day in Gozo, was John’s birthday. After being serenaded with Happy Birthday (and a cup cake) by the staff at breakfast we set off to catch the bus to Qala. Starting at Qala Parish Church we looped north before heading back via Nadur to the south coast at Mgarr.
The loop from Qala to Nadur was full of wildflowers and sea views.
In Nadur we stopped to have lunch (in the café with the canopy at the left of the first image below) and a look around. Unfortunately, Nadur Parish Church wasn’t open so we could only view the outside.
After lunch we left the main square and headed downhill, turning right onto the most wonderful promenade, Triq il-Madonna Ta’ Fatima, which ended at Ta’ Kenuna Tower (last image). This interested John greatly – it was built during British rule in 1848 as a semaphore tower and is now used for telecommunications.
Of course, the flaw in these beautiful views is that we had to get to the coast below! I shall draw a veil over the next part of the walk which was down a very rough path and might have involved some swearing. However, after my tumble a couple of days earlier I was very careful indeed and we arrived safely in Ghajnsielem. This had two big churches, an interesting bench (which has appeared before) and, allegedly, a Bethlehem theme park. All we found was a pony.
From Ghajnsielem it was an easy walk to the ferry port at Mgarr from where we got a bus back to Victoria. The Gleneagles Bar amused us – nothing like the Scottish one which is rather grander!
For our last dinner in Gozo, and for John’s birthday, we returned to Roza which we had enjoyed so much on our first evening. For once we indulged in a dessert and very delicious it was – fig fritters with ice cream and a liqueur, part of which you poured over the fritters and part of which you drank. Delicious!
The following day we returned to the ferry terminal and headed back to Malta’s main island, but our holiday wasn’t over yet. We had four nights in Valletta to look forward to.
Linking to Jo’s Monday Walk.
Sounds like a perfect birthday and a great place in which to to celebrate it. Not so sure about the fig fritters, they sound very sweet and I usually prefer tart desserts, lots of lemony stuff, but I’ll give them a try if I ever make it there! And maybe after that I’ll take a walk to admire the wild flowers.
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I don’t even like figs! But it was a traditional Gozo dessert so it had to be done – and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed them. They weren’t terribly sweet.
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This looks like an intriguing destination. Further research required on my part. 🙂 Thanks, Mel
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We were very impressed with Malta.
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What a nice way to spend a birthday and with a delicious meal to finish the day – perfect.
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Yes, it was a lovely day which even my swollen and sore ankle couldn’t spoil.
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Great photos. So much to see 😀
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Thanks! Yes, there was.
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Another great day exploring this island. Lovely photos and looks like you celebrated well the birthday.
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It was a lovely day, thank you.
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Apart from your tumble it looks like you had a very nice explore of Gozo. The wildflowers are beautiful and that meal to finish off your stay looks divine.
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We did – I would definitely go back, but maybe not for a few years! We explored it fairly thoroughly.
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A more interesting complex island than I thought it would be , just looking at it on a map over the decades. I suspect all those churches might come into their own in full summer conditions as welcome shade and a dark cool escape from the heat for the locals. And Happy Birthday to John. bob. BSS.
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I didn’t really know much about Gozo before we went, but it turned out to be a great choice. Yes, the churches were way cooler than outside even in April!
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Nothing like a change of scenery to celebrate a birthday. He had his best gift with him, you 🙂 I’m positive the swearing helps with the determination to keep going, especially when walking downhill.
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Who am I to disagree about his best gift? And I’m glad you understand bout the swearing. It’s cathartic.
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Absolutely necessary sometimes.
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Indeed!
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A splendid walk and that dessert sounds lovely. I had to smile at the Gleneagles Bar.
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Not quite up to snuff, is it?
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Looks like a splendid way to celebrate a birthday with sunshine, history, wild flowers, views and a most delicious looking pudding!! Thank you for opening my eyes to Gozo!
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It was a very special day! Gozo opened my eyes too – such a lovely island.
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Another beautiful walk – I especially love the wildflowers colouring the landscape! It sounds like lovely birthday for John 🙂 We often return on our last evening in a place to the restaurant that has impressed us most earlier in the stay, and judging by those fritters that looks an excellent choice for a celebration!
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That was the best day for wildflowers, though all the walks were colourful. We liked all the restaurants we ate in, but that one had the best atmosphere and lovely staff.
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Good looking dessert, Anabel! The island certainly has a lot going for it, doesn’t it? Many thanks for the share xx
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A local speciality, apparently. How could we refuse? It’s a lovely island, I’m glad we went.
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I have often heard Gozo mentioned, but I had no picture of it at all in my head, so your post was very interesting and informative. I liked the wild flowers a lot.
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I didn’t really know what to expect either – it was a last minute choice which I’m very glad we made.
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Happy belated birthday to John…A very nice hike to celebrate his birthday. You certainly had great weather while in Gozo. (Suzanne)
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Thanks Suzanne. It was beautifully sunny the whole time in Gozo.
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On a scale of one to ten, what rating would you give to Gozo?
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Ooh, about 8 or 9 maybe? It was beautiful and we had a great place to stay and good places to eat. But because it is so small it maybe doesn’t merit a return visit for a few years. Been there, done that!
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The theme park looks a little sad. Love the cat! 🙂
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I think our guide notes were a little misleading and Bethlehem only appears at Christmas! Maybe a bit like Brigadoon. The cat is cute and clearly after the fish in the woman’s basket.
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Lovely views at any time, but wildflower season is something special. I can’t be the only one wondering what a Bethlehem theme park would involve if you’d found it. It’s an interesting idea!
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I’m sure it came into its own at Christmas, but our guide notes confidently stated it was there! The wildflowers were lovely.
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Lovely. I wish you had published a map of your walks, I’m not familiar with this one. John had a good birthday it seems, fig fritters sound delish 😋
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I’m not usually keen on figs, but these fritters were lovely. Maps are not my strong point!
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Do you get a map of the walks from the company? Directions? Information about what to see, transport, restaurants etc?
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It’s all on an app these days. I left navigating to John because he had it speaking directions into his hearing aids! Yes, they give you some background info but it’s very much an independent walking holiday. They (Headwater) also do guided walks and hotel to hotel walks which are more structured but I much prefer to do our own thing.
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Those wildflowers really make a splash of bright colour. I like the bench with the figures, the girl using a mobile phone is very appropriate to these modern times and the little cat looks so sweet. And your donkey is actually a pony but I’ve got a good imagination 😉😊
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Thanks, of course it is, doh! I had donkey in my head because of the Bible story. I’ve updated the text.
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