Exploring Gozo by Car — Day Trip Routes, Parking & Road Tips Home › Exploring Gozo by Car Exploring Gozo by Car Gozo is a 67 km² island with a coastline that rewards a full-day road trip, especially if you are arriving by Gozo Channel ferry at Mġarr Harbour and planning a loop through Victoria, Dwejra, Xagħra, Ramla Bay, and Xlendi Bay. If you are booking a rental car in Malta, the practical choices are usually a small hatchback such as a Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo, Suzuki Celerio, Chevrolet Spark, or Skoda Fabia, because these models are easier on Gozo's narrow village streets and hillside parking bays. For most visitors, the key questions are route order, parking availability, and which roads are unsuitable for a standard car with a basic CDW policy and a deductible. One-Day Gozo Driving Itinerary Gozo's most efficient self-drive loop starts and ends at Mġarr Harbour, uses the main roads via Victoria, and keeps the longest detours for the calmer parts of the day. Morning Route (3–4 hours) 1. Mġarr Harbour to Victoria (Rabat) and the Citadel — 10-minute drive Mġarr Harbour is the arrival point for the Gozo Channel ferry — see our ferry arrival logistics guide — and Victoria is the island's administrative center, also called Rabat by many locals; the Citadel sits above the town and is best reached on foot from parking near the bus terminus. The public lot near the main bus station is convenient for standard rentals such as a Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, or Hyundai i20, and the uphill walk to the Citadel entrance takes about 10 minutes. Citadel access is car-free inside the fortified area. 2. Victoria to Ta' Pinu Sanctuary, Għarb — 10-minute drive The road west from Victoria reaches Għarb and then Ta' Pinu Sanctuary, one of Gozo's best-known pilgrimage sites and a practical stop because the basilica has a small car park immediately outside the main entrance. 3. Ta' Pinu to Dwejra — 5-minute drive Dwejra is the island's most famous coastal landscape, formerly associated with the Azure Window before the arch collapsed in March 2017, and the site still includes the Blue Hole, Inland Sea, and Fungus Rock. The on-site car park is large and free. Afternoon Route (3–4 hours) 4. Dwejra to Xwejni Salt Pans near Marsalforn — 15-minute drive The coastal road north-east from Dwejra reaches Marsalforn and the Xwejni Salt Pans, where 350-year-old salt pans run for roughly 3 km along the shoreline. 5. Marsalforn to Ġgantija Temples, Xagħra — 10-minute drive Xagħra is the most practical inland stop after Marsalforn, and the Ġgantija Temples are one of Malta's key UNESCO sites, dated by the site museum to more than 5,500 years old. 6. Xagħra to Ramla Bay — 5-minute drive Ramla Bay is Gozo's best-known sandy beach, with red-golden sand and a designated car park that commonly charges about €2 in peak season. In August, that lot often fills by 10:00. Evening Options 7. Return to Mġarr Harbour — 15-minute drive The drive from Ramla Bay back to Mġarr Harbour is straightforward, and Mġarr village has enough waterfront restaurants to make the return leg worth timing around dinner and ferry departures. Alternative sunset stop: Xlendi Bay is the best-known west-coast sunset drive, but Xlendi's municipal car park fills quickly and the bay entrance can be congested after 17:00 in summer. Parking at Gozo's Top Attractions Attraction Parking type Cost Practical note Roads to Avoid or Approach with Caution Road or access point Risk level Surface / gradient Parking reality Practical advice San Blas Bay deserves special attention because the final access slope from Nadur is one of the steepest public approaches in Gozo and is often used only by jeeps, not regular hatchbacks. If you need a rugged vehicle, consider a jeep rental instead. Fuel Stations and EV Charging on Gozo Fuel or charging option Typical availability Price / spec Driver note Most stations cluster around Triq L-Imġarr between Mġarr Harbour, Għajnsielem, and Victoria. Standard operating hours are often Monday to Friday 06:00–18:00 and Saturday 06:00–14:00, while 24/7 self-service pumps can take cash notes after hours. See our full FAQ on fuel and costs for more detail. Driving Tips for Gozo Topic Gozo rule Practical impact Frequently Asked Questions Can I explore Gozo by car in one day? Yes, a one-day Gozo road trip is realistic if you start from Mġarr Harbour, use a compact rental such as a Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto, and limit yourself to Victoria, Ta' Pinu, Dwejra, Xwejni, Xagħra, and Ramla. The loop is roughly 50–60 km depending on detours, and most inter-stop drives are 5–15 minutes. The main exception is peak summer traffic, when parking at Ramla Bay, Marsalforn, and Xlendi can add 20–30 minutes. Is parking free at Gozo's main attractions? Yes, many of Gozo's main attractions offer free parking, including Dwejra, the Citadel area, Ġgantija village streets, and Ta' Pinu Sanctuary. Ramla Bay is the main exception because the beach car park often charges about €2. Which roads in Gozo should rental car drivers avoid? Rental car drivers should avoid the steep final section to San Blas Bay and treat Wied il-Għasri, Wied il-Mielaħ, and Mġarr ix-Xini with caution. If your rental agreement includes a deductible or excess, check whether off-road damage is excluded before you leave the main roads.