Gozo is a small island in the Maltese archipelago. It is the second-largest island in the archipelago, after Malta itself. The population of about 9,000 people live in seven towns on Gozo. The largest town in Victoria lies next to the capital city of Rabat. The other six towns are Nadur, Xaghra, Sannat, Ghajnsielem, San Lawrenz and Marsalforn.
Gozo is a very popular tourist destination and in particular for water sports and other outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. Gozo is also becoming popular for self-catering vacations.
Activities in Gozo
Popular outdoors activity in Gozo includes hiking, biking, kayaking and windsurfing. There are also great facilities for rock climbing, canyoning and caving. There is an adventure park that has courses for every level including kids. Gozo also has spectacular diving sites with a variety of fish and sea life for divers to enjoy.
Gozo has many footpaths and bike trails that provide excellent hiking and biking opportunities. There are several waymarked trails with different levels of difficulty, including the Malta – Gozo – Comino Eco Trail which is a 100 km circular trail around both islands.
Other popular outdoor activities and sports in Gozo include football, rugby and volleyball.
Victoria
Victoria is the capital city of Gozo and this town offers a variety of activities such as horse riding, hiking trails, bowling clubs, tennis courts and more. There are also several restaurants and cafes in Victoria offering a variety of food and drinks.
Victoria also hosts the Mediterranean Conference Centre, where many conferences and seminars are held relevant to current affairs in Europe. It is worth taking a tour around the conference centre to take advantage of another activity while on Gozo. The conference centre has strong links with many universities throughout Europe which assist in providing interesting seminars and workshops for the public to take part in.
The town of Victoria is also known for its rich history and culture. There are museums such as The Citadel museum which provides visitors with a glimpse into Gozo’s past, and it has links with King George VI who visited once while he was still Prince of Wales. Visitors will be able to learn about the history of Gozo and see some interesting exhibits such as pottery, tools and household items. The museum also has a great view over Victoria Bay.
The town of Victoria is also known for its annual entertainment and cultural festival, which takes place every summer in June or July. There are many performances by artists from all over the world, many of whom are Maltese. The festival is an excellent opportunity for people to enjoy the local Gozitan culture while trying out the array of food stalls available.
Nadur
Nadur is a small town on Gozo with around 1,617 inhabitants. It is situated near the northeast coast of Gozo. The town is also known for its megalithic temples which are some of Malta’s oldest standing buildings.
Nadur hosts several annual events including a fireworks display, a summer festival and a concert in August which take place in Heritage Square. These are excellent opportunities to learn about the local culture while enjoying a variety of traditional food and drink.
Nadur is also a popular destination for visitors from all over the Gozitan Islands, who come to enjoy its facilities such as bowling, volleyball and football facilities. There are also several restaurants in Nadur that offer traditional Gozitan cuisine which provides excellent value for money.