Things to Do in Gozo by Car Why Gozo Is Best Explored by Car Cultural & Heritage Stops Citadel of Victoria (Cittadella) Ġgantija Temples (Xagħra) Basilica of Ta' Pinu (Għarb) The West Coast: Dwejra & Around Inland Sea & Boat Ride Blue Hole & Azure Window remains Wied il-Mielaħ Arch (Għarb) Beaches You Can Reach by Car Ramla Bay San Blas Bay Hidden coves Diving, Snorkelling & Watersports Shore-Diving Sites Snorkelling for Non-Divers Hiking & Coastal Walks — Park, Then Walk Salt Pans, Ftira & Local Food Stops Xwejni Salt Pans Nadur Bakeries — Ftira Local Staples Suggested 1-Day Driving Itinerary Driving & Parking Practicalities Frequently Asked Questions Things to Do in Gozo by Car — Local Driving Guide 2026 Things to Do in Gozo by Car Gozo is small — only 67 km² — but everything worth seeing is spread out, off the bus routes, and easier to reach with your own car. This is the local-friend guide: where to park, how much to pay in cash, which roads to avoid in a hatchback, and a one-day driving itinerary that actually works. Why Gozo Is Best Explored by Car Gozo's headline attractions are scattered across the island, but the island itself is tiny — nowhere is more than a 20-minute drive away. From the driver's seat you can see the Citadel, Ġgantija Temples, Dwejra, and Ramla Bay all in a single day without rushing. Public buses exist but they're built for locals: slow, infrequent, and routes skip most of the highlights — Dwejra, Wied il-Għasri, San Blas Bay, Wied il-Mielaħ. With a car you control your own pace. Driving is straightforward, especially for UK visitors. Malta drives on the. The Maltese Highway Code sets two national speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas 80 km/h on open roads — no road in the country is legally faster. Traffic is almost non-existent except for the brief surge around Victoria when a ferry arrives, which locals call ("of the boat"). It lasts ten minutes. Whether you're arranging a ferry pickup or airport transfer, having the car ready from the moment you arrive at Mġarr means you can drive straight to your first stop. Cultural & Heritage Stops Gozo's history is ancient and tangible. Beyond the beaches you'll find millennia-old structures and quiet places of faith, all easy to reach by car. Citadel of Victoria (Cittadella) The Cittadella sits on a hill in the centre of Victoria (Rabat) with 360° views across the whole island — from the ramparts you can see the dome of every village church. Entry to the walls is free; Heritage Malta runs the museums inside (Gozo Museum of Archaeology, Old Prison, Cathedral). Plan 1–2 hours. Duke Shopping Mall underground (paid) or Savina Public Car Park (free, fills fast). Five minutes on foot to the Citadel gate. Ġgantija Temples (Xagħra) Ġgantija Temples are a UNESCO World Heritage site, inscribed in 1980 and extended in 1992 as part of "Megalithic Temples of Malta". The limestone blocks were raised over 5,500 years ago, making Ġgantija older than Stonehenge or the pyramids of Giza. The interpretation centre is excellent — start there, then walk to the temples themselves. 1 March – 31 October daily 10:00–18:00; 1 November – 28 February daily 09:00–17:00 (closed Tuesdays in January and February). Closed 1 January, Good Friday, 24 / 25 / 31 December. Last admission 30 minutes before close. Basilica of Ta' Pinu (Għarb) A national Marian shrine standing alone in open countryside outside Għarb. Even non-religious visitors stop for the architecture and the silence. Free entry; ample free parking right outside. A natural quiet stop between Dwejra and Marsalforn. The West Coast: Dwejra & Around Dwejra is Gozo's most dramatic stretch of coast — sea-worn cliffs, a fungus-shaped sea stack, an inland lagoon, and the underwater remains of the Azure Window. The whole area is a Natura 2000 protected zone, the largest contiguous protected land-and-sea area in the Maltese Islands. Below the surface, Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows are the original reason for the protection. Inland Sea & Boat Ride A shallow lagoon connected to the open Mediterranean by a 65-metre natural tunnel cut through the cliffs. Local boatmen run ~20-minute rides through the tunnel and back along the cliff face — around €4–€5 per person, cash only, no booking. Just walk down to the lagoon and pay the boatman. Blue Hole & Azure Window remains The Azure Window arch collapsed in a storm on 8 March 2017; what remains underwater is now one of Europe's most famous shore dives.