It’s all about quality over quantity when it comes to Gozo beaches. Only eight miles by four, this tiny island may not have the space for endless sandy swathes, but its flour-fine arcs and rocky coves are all the more glorious for it. Gozo is an underwater playground for snorkellers and divers, with a network of tunnels and caves ripe for discovery. Here are six of the best beaches in Gozo.
Gozo’s only sandy beach, this red-gold stretch is perfect for sinking your toes into. A smattering of sun loungers and parasols are available to rent, while an almost-permanent ice cream truck is parked at the entrance. There’s a beachfront café too. The crystalline waters are great for swimming, although it can get busy in summer. Arrive early and then escape the afternoon crowds by clambering up to Calypso’s Cave – one of our favourite places to visit in Gozo.
Accessible only by ladders, the calm, clear waters of Hondoq ir-Rummien are popular with snorkellers, who dip in and out of the small caves carved into the coastline. Facing out over the island of Comino, a small white-sand beach is sheltered by a rocky promontory, while the nearby salt pans are still used to harvest salt in the summer.
This glistening bay was the former location of the Azure Window, an ethereal limestone arch curving 90ft high, which sadly collapsed in a heavy storm in 2017. The iconic geological formation provided a backdrop for Game of Thrones and Clash of the Titans. Proposals to rebuild the natural archway have been put forward, but the area is still worth visiting for its rock-sculpted pools – many calm enough for swimming. It’s also one of the most popular Gozo beaches for snorkelling and scuba diving, thanks to a cave-dotted coastline.
The secluded bay of Mġarr Ix-Xini has a small pebbly beach, cradled among steep valley walls. The crystal-clear waters are great for snorkelling, but that’s not its calling card. It is the rough cliffs that lure intrepid climbers who are keen to scale the sheer rock face. Mġarr Ix-Xini used to be one of the best beaches in Gozo to avoid the crowds, but word has got out ever since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filmed their 2015 romantic drama By the Sea here.
On the north coast, the narrow inlet of Wied il-Għasri is a quiet spot to swim or snorkel. When the sea is calm, you can kick back on the small sand-and-shingle beach – accessed via a natural staircase cut into the rock. This is one of the most under-the-radar Gozo beaches, found on the remote northwest coast.
While not technically in Gozo, Blue Lagoon is worth bending the rules for. An easy trip from the island, this luminescent pool is part of Comino, the miniscule speck in the Maltese archipelago. A ribbon of silver sand edges the electric-blue water – truly stunning. However, this is no hidden gem, with hordes of tourists flocking here in the summer; visit in late afternoon to miss the queues.
If you’re looking for some further reading on Gozo, we’ve also got our Gozo Travel Guide, which takes you through when to visit, where to visit, and even hidden gems on the island. If you’re ready to book your villa and would like some help finding the perfect place, our concierge team are here to help.
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