The best beaches to visit in Gozo, Malta

The island of Gozo in Malta is a paradise for all things nautical. Boasting crystal-clear water, warm temperatures and breathtaking underwater scenery, it’s often regarded as one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving in the Mediterranean.

We look at some of the very best beaches in Gozo – this small island has plenty to offer!

Named by CNN as one of the top 10 places to see before it changes forever, Mgarr ix-Xini consists of a small pebble-and-sand beach in a picturesque rocky cove.

Mgarr ix-Xini

It has some A-list fans and was used as the setting of the blockbuster film By the Sea, starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Situated in a wonderfully isolated position and only accessible by car or by foot, it is delightfully unspoilt. Its rich marine life and fantastic water visibility make it the ideal spot for snorkelling.

Xlendi on Gozo’s south-west coast has a traditional fishing village feel about it.

A rocky inlet with high cliffs flanking each side, it has an array of wonderful cafes and restaurants – perfect for fresh fish and seafood.

Xlendi

If you’d like a spot of exercise after your delicious meal, walk along the coast from Xlendi to some interesting natural sea caves.

Probably the most photographed coastal region of Gozo, sights at Dwejra Bay include the 60-metre-tall Fungus Rock that guards Dwerja Bay, the Blue Hole and serene Inland Sea.

Rated as one of the best dive sites in Europe, the Blue Hole is a sheltered but dramatic sinkhole down through the limestone rock. Measuring roughly ten metres by five metres, it’s a haven for small marine life.

Dwejra Bay

Whilst there are no beaches ideal for sunbathing here, it’s still worth the trip, even if you’re not a scuba diver. Head to the natural seawater pool that is the Inland Sea for a serene swim, then have a drink in the cafe on the shore. You can also stop by the small marine life museum and Dwejra watch tower - both are free of charge and also well worth a visit during your holiday to Gozo.

Ramla Bay, or Ramla I-Hamra, which literally means ‘red beach’ in Maltese, is noted as being one of the best beaches on the island. Located on the north side of Gozo, its unique, soft orange sand and shallow water makes it popular with locals and tourists alike.

Ramla Bay seen from Tal-Mixta Cave

If you’re feeling particularly active, take a walk from the western edge of Ramla Bay up a steep hill to Calypso Cave, the site where the beautiful nymph Calypso was fabled to have kept Odysseus as a ‘prisoner of love’ for seven years in Homer’s Odyssey.

Currently access to the cave itself is prohibited due to earth movement, but it’s still worth the climb as from this point you will be rewarded with beautiful views over the bay and the rest of the island.

On the eastern side of the bay Tal-Mixta Cave grants a stunning panoramic view, although can be a bit of a tourist hotspot, raising ecological concerns.

Marsalforn is one of the most popular coastal resorts on the island, and from the small but active harbour you can enjoy a boat trip to the iconic blue lagoon on neighbouring Comino. Just along the coast from Marsalforn you’ll find the famous Gozitan salt pans, a great photo opportunity and the perfect place to pick up some holiday gifts for family and friends at home.

Marsalforn salt pans

Malsalforn has a large, sheltered bay. The sea is twinkling and inviting, with steel ladders attached at points along the shoreline allowing swimmers to climb in and out of the waves. There is also a promenade that extends from one side of the bay to the other, and plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. However, whilst picturesque, the beach itself is only a small pebble-and-sand beach, and whilst it’s worth a visit, it isn’t ideal for sunbathing.

Discover Gozo's rugged beauty for yourself on a holiday to Malta