Gozo day trip with the Citadella: the focused itinerary

The Citadella: Gozo’s great fortified hilltop

The Citadella (Cittadella in Maltese, also called the Citadel) rises from the centre of Gozo’s capital, Victoria, on a rocky hill that has been continuously fortified since at least the Bronze Age. The current walls are largely 17th-century constructions by the Knights of Malta, rebuilt after the catastrophic Ottoman raid of 1551 in which virtually the entire Gozitan population (around 6,000 people) was taken as slaves.

Inside the walls: the Cathedral of the Assumption (with its famous flat dome painted to look three-dimensional — the Knights ran out of funds for a real dome), a series of small Heritage Malta museums covering natural history, archaeology, and folklore, and a dense network of restored lanes and fortified buildings. The bastion walkways offer 360-degree views of Gozo and Malta visible on the southern horizon.

The Citadella restoration project, completed in phases since 2015, has made it one of the best-preserved and most accessible medieval hilltop towns in the Mediterranean. It is quieter than Mdina in Malta but no less impressive, and in some ways more coherent.

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What to see inside the Citadella

The Cathedral of the Assumption

Built between 1697 and 1711 on the site of previous churches dating back to the Norman period. The exterior baroque facade is relatively restrained; the interior is dominated by the famous trompe-l’oeil dome — a flat ceiling painted with such precision that it appears to be a three-dimensional dome. The illusion works best from directly below the crossing.

The cathedral was designed by Lorenzo Gafa, the same architect responsible for St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina. Entry: approximately €3.

The bastion walkways

Walk the full circuit of the Citadella’s bastions (about 30 minutes at a gentle pace). The views change dramatically as you move around: the northern bastions face Gozo’s interior farmland; the southern face looks toward Malta. On clear days you can see the dome of the Mosta Rotunda and the profile of Valletta on the Maltese horizon. Bring a camera.

The Heritage Malta museums

The Citadella contains several small museums in converted buildings:

• Natural History Museum: Gozo’s geology, flora, and fauna. Particularly good on Gozo’s prehistoric background and the ecology of the Maltese archipelago.
• Gozo Archaeological Museum: Prehistoric artifacts from Ggantija and other Gozitan sites. Excellent context for visiting the temples.
• Old Prisons and Folklore Museum: The old Gozo prison cells, with inscriptions and graffiti left by prisoners from the 17th to 20th centuries.

Each museum takes about 30 minutes. A combined Heritage Malta pass covers all.

The grain silos

On the approach to the Citadella’s main gate, notice the circular grain silos cut into the rock. These were dug by the Knights to store grain for the Gozitan population — a strategic reserve against siege. Some are still visible and accessible.

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Victoria: the town outside the Citadella

Victoria (known to Gozitans as Rabat, confusingly the same name as the Maltese town near Mdina) is Gozo’s commercial and social capital. The area below the Citadella is worth an hour of walking.

Pjazza Indipendenza (It-Tokk): The main square below the Citadella, surrounded by cafes and the outdoor market. This is the social heart of Gozo — men playing cards at tables, children running through the square, older residents sitting in the shade. More authentic than anything you’ll find in tourist-facing Sliema.

The market: A daily morning market around Pjazza Indipendenza sells local vegetables, bread, honey, and Gozo’s famous fresh cheese (gbejniet — small rounds of sheep’s or goat’s milk, either fresh or dried). Buy some. The dried gbejniet in black pepper is worth carrying back to Malta.

Republic Street: Victoria’s main shopping street, mixing Maltese chain stores, local bakeries, and some of Gozo’s better restaurants.

Gozo Victoria walking tour (2 hours) Victoria, Gozo: sunset walking food and drink tour

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What to pair with the Citadella on a Gozo day

A Citadella-focused morning (08:30–13:00) pairs naturally with one of the following afternoon options:

Option A — Ggantija temples + Ramla Bay: Drive 5 km from Victoria to Xaghra. The Ggantija temples (3600 BC, UNESCO) take 60 minutes. Ramla Bay (Gozo’s red-sand beach) is a 10-minute drive from Xaghra — a good afternoon swim. Back to the ferry by 17:00.

Option B — Dwejra and the Inland Sea: Drive 8 km west from Victoria to Dwejra. The Inland Sea boat trip through the cliff tunnel takes 10 minutes and costs €5. The Blue Hole dive site and Fungus Rock are visible from the coastal path. A good option for those interested in Gozo’s geology.

Option C — Marsalforn (north coast): Victoria’s nearest beach town. The salt pans (15 minutes walk east of Marsalforn) are photogenic. The bay itself has rocky swimming entries and a few restaurants.

Gozo full-day visiting Ggantija Temples, salt pans and Dwejra

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Getting there and around

Ferry from Cirkewwa to Mġarr: 25 minutes, roughly every 45–60 minutes. See ferry from Malta to Gozo guide.

From Mġarr to Victoria: Bus Route 303 runs from Mġarr port to Victoria bus terminus, about 15 minutes. Or taxi from Mġarr (~€8–10).

Car rental: Several agencies at Mġarr port (€35–55/day). Recommended if you want to combine multiple sites efficiently.

Hop-On Hop-Off: Gozo’s HOHO bus circuit covers Victoria, Xlendi, Marsalforn, Ggantija, and Dwejra with audio commentary. Good option for those without a car.

Gozo City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour

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Sample day itinerary (Citadella focused)

Time	Activity
08:30	Depart Sliema/Valletta area
09:30	Ferry Cirkewwa → Mġarr
09:55	Arrive Mġarr; bus or taxi to Victoria
10:15	Citadella: Cathedral, bastion walk, museums
12:30	Lunch at Pjazza Indipendenza or Republic Street
13:30	Drive to Ggantija (15 min)
14:00	Ggantija temples and museum
15:00	Ramla Bay (20 min drive) — swim
16:30	Return to Mġarr port
17:00	Ferry back to Cirkewwa

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Frequently asked questions about the Gozo Citadella day trip

How long do you need for the Citadella?

Two to three hours covers the Cathedral, bastion walk, and one or two museums. If you want all four Heritage Malta museums inside the Citadella, allow 3.5–4 hours. Most visitors find 2.5 hours satisfying.

Is the Citadella accessible for people with limited mobility?

The main entrance is accessible via ramp from Pjazza Indipendenza. The interior lanes are uneven and some sections involve steps. The bastion walkways require navigating some steps. A mobility aid would be manageable in the main courtyard area but the full bastion walk is challenging.

Is the Citadella better than Mdina in Malta?

They are different experiences. Mdina is grander in scale and more theatrical (the baroque gate is more dramatic). The Citadella has better internal museum content and is more authentically lived-in. Many visitors find the Citadella less crowded and more personal. If you visit both islands, both are worth doing.

What time does the Citadella open?

The bastion area is open during daylight hours at no charge. The Cathedral and Heritage Malta museums open around 09:00–09:30 and close in the late afternoon (typically 17:00–18:00). Check Heritage Malta’s website for current times.

What is gbejniet and where can I buy it?

Gbejniet (pronounced jem-BEY-neet approximately) are small Gozitan cheese rounds made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. The fresh version (friski) is soft and mild; the dried/peppered version (mxarrba) is firmer and more intensely flavoured. Available in the Victoria market and at most Gozo farm shops. The peppered dried variety travels well and keeps for weeks.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20