Gozo self-drive day trip: the complete route guide

Why a car makes all the difference on Gozo

Gozo is small — 14 km × 7 km — but its sights are spread across the island in a way that makes public transport genuinely inefficient for a day visitor. The bus network connects Victoria with the main villages but runs infrequently on routes to Dwejra (west coast), Xaghra (northeast), and the scenic north coast around Marsalforn and Ramla Bay.

With a rental car, you can be at Ggantija when it opens (09:00), reach the Citadella by 10:30, have lunch in a Marsalforn restaurant by 12:30, reach Dwejra’s Inland Sea by 14:00, and still catch the 17:00 ferry at Mġarr. Without a car, the same circuit is either a guided tour or a significantly longer day.

Car hire is available at Mġarr port (several agencies, no advance booking usually necessary except in peak July-August). Rates: €35–55/day for a basic car. Gozo’s narrow roads and limited parking make a small car strongly preferable to a large SUV.

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The classic Gozo circuit: a suggested route

This anticlockwise circuit covers the island’s highlights efficiently. Total driving: approximately 45 km. Allow a full day (08:30 arrival in Mġarr to 17:00 return).

Stop 1: Ggantija temples, Xaghra (9:00–10:30)

Drive from Mġarr (10 min) to Xaghra in the northeast of the island. Ggantija is the oldest free-standing structure in Gozo — and the world — dating to 3600–3000 BC. Two temples, partially intact, with some of the original apses still standing to shoulder height.

The on-site museum is excellent context: it covers the excavation history, the ritual objects found (including fat figurines and animal offerings), and the society that built these structures 1,000 years before the Egyptian pyramids.

Gozo day trip including Ggantija Temples from Malta

Entry: €10 adult, includes museum. Allow 60–75 minutes.

Stop 2: Citadella, Victoria (10:45–13:00)

Drive 5 minutes west from Xaghra to Victoria. Park below the Citadella (free parking on the streets around Pjazza Indipendenza) and walk up to the fortified hilltop. The bastion walk, Cathedral, and one or two small museums take 2 hours.

For the full Citadella guide: see Gozo day trip with the Citadella.

Lunch in Victoria or Marsalforn (13:00–14:00)

In Victoria: Pjazza Indipendenza has cafes and the daily market. Good for a quick lunch.

In Marsalforn (10 min north of Victoria): A small resort town on Gozo’s north coast with a couple of excellent seafood restaurants on the waterfront. More relaxed lunchtime ambience.

Stop 3: Salt pans, Marsalforn (14:00–14:30)

Drive 2 km east along Marsalforn’s coast road to reach the salt pans cut into the limestone shelf. The geometric pools, some still actively harvested, make for good photography especially in afternoon light when the salt crystals catch the sun.

Stop 4: Dwejra and the Inland Sea (14:45–15:45)

Drive from Marsalforn across the island to Dwejra on the west coast (about 20 min). The Azure Window collapsed in 2017 but the area remains remarkable:

• Inland Sea: A small lagoon connected to the open sea by a tunnel through the cliff. Small boats take passengers through the tunnel for €5/person (10 minutes). The scale of the cliff and the sudden transition from enclosed lagoon to open sea is striking.
• Blue Hole: The dive site immediately west of the Inland Sea is one of Gozo’s most famous dives. Non-divers can see the hole from the cliff path above (a remarkable circular opening in the limestone shelf).
• Fungus Rock: The large sandstone stack in Dwejra Bay was so prized medicinally (for a specific plant that grew on top, used to staunch bleeding) that the Knights made landing on it a capital offence. Still inaccessible today.

Allow 45–60 minutes at Dwejra.

Stop 5: Xlendi or Ramla Bay (optional) (16:00–16:30)

Xlendi (south coast, 15 min from Dwejra): A small bay sheltered by cliffs, quieter than Marsalforn, good for a late swim. Rocky entry but beautiful water.

Ramla Bay (east of Xaghra): Gozo’s best beach — red-orange sand, backed by the ruins of a Roman villa visible just above the sand. Takes 20 min from Dwejra; worth it if swimming is a priority.

Return to Mġarr for the ferry (16:45–17:00)

Mġarr is 15 minutes from most points on the island. Aim to arrive at Mġarr 20 minutes before your intended ferry. Passenger ferry queues are short; you board on foot without needing a specific booking.

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Practical self-drive information

Driving in Gozo: On the left (same as UK, same as Malta). Gozo’s roads are narrow — sometimes a single-car width in villages. Take it slow. Reversing into passing places is normal and expected.

Parking: Free in almost all locations. In Xaghra, Dwejra, and Marsalforn there are informal car parks adjacent to the main sites (small, can be full in peak summer). Arrive before 10:00 at Ggantija and before 11:00 at Dwejra for reliable parking.

Petrol: Fill up in Victoria or near Mġarr. Dwejra and Xaghra have no petrol stations.

Car hire at Mġarr: Several agencies operate from Mġarr port (Europcar, Gozo-specific agencies). No advance booking usually required outside July-August. Bring your driving licence (EU licence accepted; non-EU: international driving permit recommended though rarely checked). Minimum age: 21 at most agencies.

Satellite navigation / maps: Google Maps works well on Gozo. Download offline maps before you go in case of signal gaps in the interior.

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Self-drive vs guided tour for Gozo

Aspect	Self-drive	Guided tour
Flexibility	High (stop anywhere, vary timing)	Low (fixed schedule)
Cost	€35–55 car hire + ferry €4.65	€45–80 per person
Coverage	Your choice	Fixed tour stops
Best for	Active travellers who want control	First-timers who want context
Drawback	You drive; no commentary	Less flexibility

A guided tour with an expert guide adds real value if this is your first visit and you want to understand what you are looking at (especially at Ggantija). Self-drive is better for repeat visitors or those who know what they want.

Gozo: private full day island tour

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Frequently asked questions about a Gozo self-drive day

Is driving in Gozo difficult?

Gozo’s roads are narrow but the island is small and easy to navigate. Traffic is very light outside Victoria’s main streets. The main challenges are: tight village lanes (go slowly), occasional loose gravel on rural roads, and parking in the main tourist sites in peak summer. Anyone comfortable driving in rural Europe will find Gozo straightforward.

Can you do Gozo self-drive without a car booking?

Yes, for most of the year. Car hire agencies at Mġarr port usually have vehicles available without advance reservation. In July and August peak season, booking online 3–5 days ahead is advisable to ensure availability.

Is it worth getting a Gozo Hop-On Hop-Off pass instead of renting a car?

The HOHO covers the main sites with audio commentary and no driving stress. Its limitation is fixed stop times and relatively infrequent loops. For a tight day itinerary across multiple sites, a rental car gives significantly more flexibility. The HOHO is better suited to visitors who want a guided circuit rather than a self-directed exploration.

How much does the Gozo ferry cost for a car?

The Gozo Channel Line ferry charges approximately €15.70 each way for a car plus €4.65 per passenger return. Note: you pay for the full return at Mġarr when you depart Gozo — not at Cirkewwa on the way over. Consider whether a rental car in Gozo (avoiding the car ferry charge) is cheaper than bringing your Malta rental across.

What is the best season for a Gozo self-drive?

April–June and September–October offer the best combination of good weather, green countryside (spring wildflowers April–May), moderate crowds, and all attractions open. July–August is hot, Ggantija and the Inland Sea are very busy midday; arrive early and plan around the heat.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20