Gozo is 67 square kilometres. On a day trip you can see its best prehistoric temples, swim in a sea cave, eat rabbit stew in a village square and return to Malta with the evening light still golden over the channel. The island is small enough to cover well in a day and different enough from the main island to feel like a separate country. The ferry crossing takes 25 minutes. The question is only how to use the hours between arrivals.
Getting there: Check next ferry departures at FreeMalta Ferry Times — Gozo Channel car ferry from Ċirkewwa (free one-way, 24/7) or Gozo Highspeed from Valletta (€7.50, 45 min) or Sliema (€8.50, ~60 min).
How to Get to Gozo
Two options. The Gozo Channel car ferry departs from Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta, runs every 45 minutes around the clock, and is free in the direction from Malta to Gozo. Return foot passenger: €4.65. Return with car: €15.70. If you are driving, this is the obvious choice — your car travels with you and the cost is minimal. The Gozo Highspeed fast ferry departs from Valletta (Sa Maison pier) or Sliema Ferries and takes 45 minutes from Valletta, 60 minutes from Sliema. Adult one-way: €7.50 from Valletta, €8.50 from Sliema. No vehicles. This is the best option for a car-free day trip from central Malta.
Getting Around Gozo
If you arrive with your car, you have complete freedom. Gozo's roads are quiet (by Mediterranean standards) and most attractions are within 20 minutes of Mġarr. If you arrive by fast ferry without a car, you have three options: rent a car or scooter in Mġarr or Victoria (from €35/day), take a tour bus from outside the ferry terminal, or use Gozo's bus network (limited but covers the main routes). For a single day, renting a small car or scooter from Mġarr is usually the most efficient choice.
A Day Trip Itinerary
08:30 — Ferry from Ċirkewwa or Valletta. Aim to arrive in Mġarr by 09:00–09:30. The earlier you start, the more of the island you cover.
09:30 — Ġgantija Temples, Xagħra. Among the oldest freestanding structures on Earth, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by a thousand years. About 20 minutes from Mġarr. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Entry fee applies.
11:00 — Ramla Bay. Gozo's main beach — a long arc of ochre sand, unusually warm sea, and a Roman villa remnant at one end. In summer it is busy but never as packed as Maltese beaches. Swimming here in the morning before the crowds is worth the early start.
13:00 — Lunch in Victoria (Rabat). Gozo's capital is a 15-minute drive from almost anywhere on the island. The market square (Il-Tokk) has several traditional restaurants serving rabbit stew, ftira, and grilled fish at prices noticeably lower than Sliema or St Julian's. A full lunch for two: €25–40.
14:30 — The Citadel. The fortified city above Victoria offers some of the best panoramic views in the Maltese archipelago. On a clear day you can see Comino, the Blue Lagoon, and the Maltese coastline. The Cathedral of the Assumption is free to enter. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
16:00 — Dwejra / Azure Window site. The Azure Window collapsed in 2017 but Dwejra remains one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Malta. Inland Sea (a sheltered lagoon), the Fungus Rock, and the open water of Dwejra Bay are all worth seeing. Boat trips into the sea cave run from the Inland Sea — approximately €5–8 per person.
18:00 — Return ferry. Check times at FreeMalta Ferry Times. Car ferry from Mġarr runs throughout the evening. Fast ferry last services check at gozohighspeed.com.
What to Eat in Gozo
Gozo has its own culinary identity: ftira (local bread with a denser, chewier texture than Maltese bread), ġbejniet (small fresh sheep's cheeses — peppery or plain), rabbit braised in wine and herbs, and fresh seafood landed daily in Mġarr and Marsalforn. For restaurants worth visiting on a day trip: Il-Kartell in Marsalforn for fish, Ta' Rikardu in the Citadel for traditional Gozitan platters, and Il-Panzier in Victoria's square for lunch. For hotel and restaurant recommendations across Malta and Gozo, see the FreeMalta Hospitality Index.
Practical Tips
In summer, book vehicle space on the car ferry in advance at gozochannel.com — weekend queues can mean waiting for the second or third sailing. Bring cash for small restaurants and parking. A sun hat and water are essential June through September. Most pharmacies in Gozo are open on weekday mornings — check the Sunday duty pharmacy roster at FreeMalta Pharmacy if you need medication on a weekend.