Cycling in Malta and Gozo: what's realistic and what to avoid

Malta’s main island: honest assessment for cyclists

Let’s start with the realistic picture. Cycling on Malta’s main island — particularly around Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, and the main tourist corridors — is not recommended for most visitors. The reasons are structural rather than easily solvable:

Traffic density. Malta has one of the highest car-per-capita ratios in the EU. The road network has not caught up with this reality. Main roads are frequently at or above capacity, especially in the Sliema-Valletta corridor and around Bugibba in peak season.

Road culture. Maltese driving has a well-documented reputation for impatience with cyclists. Overtaking distances on narrow roads are minimal. Shared lanes between cars and cyclists are rare.

Road surface. Maltese limestone roads are frequently in poor repair — potholes, rough patches, and the general abrasion of stone-surfaced streets that become slippery when wet.

Hills. Malta is not flat. The main island has significant elevation changes, particularly around Valletta, the Three Cities ridge, and the central area. These are not extreme by cycling standards, but combined with heat and traffic, they add to the challenge.

That said: some specific conditions on Malta’s main island are genuinely good for cycling:

• The Sliema promenade (closed to cars for the waterfront section) is an easy, flat, scenic cycling route and the most enjoyable 4 km of riding on the main island.
• The Ta’ Qali area and the paths around the craft village and national stadium are manageable for leisure riding.
• Early morning (before 07:30) on any day, the roads are quiet enough that more adventurous cyclists find the main island tolerable.
• The Dingli Cliffs road (Route B) is rural, moderately trafficked on weekdays, and offers the best cycling scenery on the main island — but requires confidence on shared country roads.

Gozo: where cycling actually delivers

Gozo is a different story entirely. The island has fewer cars, quieter roads, significantly more rural landscape, and — crucially — an infrastructure of small agricultural tracks that connect the main roads in ways a car cannot use but a bicycle navigates easily.

The scenery rewards the effort: the northern coast with the salt pans at Xwejni, the Citadella rising above Victoria visible from almost any ridge, Ramla Bay’s red sand beach below the hills, the dramatic west coast cliffs above Dwejra. Gozo is compact enough that an active cyclist can cover the main highlights in a half to full day.

The challenge on Gozo is the hills. The island is much hillier than its small area suggests. Some of the climbs from coastal points back to the plateau are genuinely demanding — 80-100 metres of ascent on rough road in summer heat. This is the main reason the e-bike format has become the most popular choice.

E-bike guided tour of Gozo: the best cycling option in Malta

The guided e-bike tour is the most intelligently designed cycling experience available in the Maltese islands. Electric-assist bikes eliminate the hill penalty — on steep climbs, the motor takes over without reducing the sense of pedalling and riding yourself. You arrive at viewpoints without being drenched in sweat, you cover more ground than a standard bike allows, and the guided format means you do not waste time navigating.

Gozo: e-bike guided tour — 3.5 hours

A typical e-bike tour of Gozo covers: Mġarr harbour (ferry arrival point, with its dramatic hillside villas visible from the port), a route inland through Ta’ Kerċem and Kerċem village, up to the Victoria / Rabat Gozo ridge for Citadella views, through Xaghra toward Ġgantija (viewpoint stop, optional entry to the temples), and back via the north coast with a stop at the salt pans. Duration 3-3.5 hours riding, which is enough to show Gozo’s essential character without rushing.

What the e-bike adds: confidence on hills. You are pedalling and engaging with the landscape, not sitting passively in a vehicle — but the electric assist means that a 30-year-old fit cyclist and a 65-year-old with slightly rusty knees can do the same tour together without the second person arriving exhausted and overheated. This matters enormously in July and August.

Group size: typically 6-10 participants. The guide leads and provides commentary at stops. Route can vary slightly depending on conditions.

Self-guided cycling in Gozo

Rental bikes (standard and e-bike) are available in Victoria, Marsalforn, and near the Mġarr ferry port. A full-day standard bike rental runs approximately €15-20; e-bike rental €25-35.

For self-guided cycling in Gozo, the most manageable approach:

Option A — North coast route (easier): Mġarr → Marsalforn → Xwejni salt pans → back via Qbajjar Bay. Mostly flat or gentle climbs, 15 km round trip, 2-2.5 hours cycling. This is the most accessible self-guided ride on Gozo and covers Marsalforn (Gozo’s main resort) and the extraordinary salt pans.

Option B — Full island loop (experienced cyclists): Mġarr → Victoria → Xlendi → Dwejra → Gharb → Marsalforn → Ramla → Victoria → Mġarr. Approximately 35-40 km with 600-800 metres of total elevation. Allow 5-6 hours. Suitable for experienced cyclists; standard bikes require good fitness given the hills; e-bike recommended.

Option C — Citadella circuit: Victoria → Xlendi Bay → back to Victoria via the cliff road. 12 km, manageable hills, one spectacular descent to Xlendi Bay with sea views. 1.5-2 hours cycling.

Cycling to and from the ferry on Gozo

The Gozo ferry (Cirkewwa to Mġarr) accepts bicycles. The bike fee is approximately €1-2 each way. You can ride to Cirkewwa on Malta’s main island from most Mellieha-area accommodation (5-10 km, mostly flat), take the ferry across, and ride around Gozo.

Note: getting to Cirkewwa from Valletta, Sliema, or St Julian’s by bike is not recommended for the reasons given above (traffic, road quality). If you are based in the north of Malta (Mellieha, Bugibba), riding to Cirkewwa is feasible.

Cycling vs other Gozo transport

Cycling vs jeep safari: a jeep safari covers similar ground but you are a passenger. Cycling is more physical, slower, and gives you more control over where you stop. For solo travellers or couples who enjoy the physical aspect, cycling is the better choice. For families with young children or those wanting coverage with less physical effort, jeep safari wins.

Cycling vs e-bike vs walking: e-bike is the versatile middle option. Walking gives you more freedom to scramble to viewpoints and swim from rocks, but covers far less ground. Standard cycling is for those who enjoy the physical challenge of the hills and have appropriate fitness. The e-bike covers the most ground with the least compromise.

Cycling vs tuk-tuk tour: the tuk-tuk format (small electric vehicles with a driver) is even more passive than the jeep. Good for those who specifically cannot cycle due to physical limitations. See the Gozo tuk-tuk guide for details.

Road rules for cycling in Malta and Gozo

Malta drives on the left (British heritage). Cyclists should ride on the left side of the road, single file on main roads. Helmets are strongly recommended though not legally mandatory for adults. Front and rear lights are required for night riding.

On Gozo’s rural roads, the main hazard is tractors and farm vehicles making unexpected turns. Give them wide berth. On the main roads, the hazard is cars overtaking with insufficient clearance. On tracks, the hazard is the surface quality — loose gravel, rough limestone, unexpected ruts.

When to cycle in Malta and Gozo

Best: October to May. Temperatures are comfortable (15-22°C), the hills of Gozo do not feel punishing, and there is enough daylight for a full day’s riding without heat-break constraints.

June and September: early morning starts (before 08:00) make cycling comfortable. Avoid cycling on Gozo’s exposed hilltop roads between 11:00-16:00.

July and August: e-bike tours operate on adjusted schedules with early starts. Self-guided cycling in July-August should start before 08:00 or wait until 17:30. The afternoon heat on exposed Gozo roads at 30-32°C with no shade is a genuine physical challenge.

Winter (November-March): Gozo cycling is excellent in winter on calm days. Rain makes the limestone roads slippery (Malta sees about 500mm of rain per year, concentrated in November-March). Morning starts are safer than evening for avoiding afternoon showers.

Frequently asked questions about cycling in Malta and Gozo

Can you rent bikes in Malta?

Yes. Standard bikes and e-bikes are available from rental shops in Victoria (Gozo), Marsalforn, Mellieha, and some resorts on Malta’s main island. Quality varies — inspect the bike before accepting it, check brakes and gears work properly.

Is cycling in Gozo suitable for beginners?

The e-bike guided tour is suitable for anyone who can ride a bike at all — the electric assist removes the intimidation factor of the hills. Self-guided standard cycling requires reasonable fitness for the hilly terrain. Complete beginners are better with the guided e-bike tour than a solo rental.

Can I take my bike on the Gozo ferry?

Yes. The Cirkewwa-Mġarr ferry accepts bicycles for a small surcharge. Bikes are loaded in the vehicle lane. There is no booking required for bikes; board in the cycle/motorbike area.

Are there cycling paths in Malta?

A few. Valletta waterfront has a short shared path. The Sliema promenade allows cycling on the waterfront sections. The rest of Malta has no dedicated cycling infrastructure — you share roads with cars. Gozo has no dedicated cycle paths either, but the road traffic is substantially lighter.

What is the best e-bike tour in Malta?

The Gozo e-bike guided tour (3.5 hours) is the standout option. There is no comparable e-bike guided tour on Malta’s main island that competes with it for scenery and route quality. For Malta’s main island, the Segway tours at Dingli Cliffs and Buskett are the closest equivalent in terms of active sightseeing. See the Segway Malta guide for comparison.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20