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Gozo
Malta's smaller and sister island of Gozo offers a range of hiking opportunities and life here moves at a leisurely pace, its rhythms dictated by the seasons, with a rugged landscape and beautiful coastline just crying out for exploration. Inland the small island is covered with flowering herbs and lush crops, and in summer it is fragrant with oleander, bougainvillea and geranium. The island is known for having some of the Mediterranean's best snorkelling and scuba diving sites, but it is also a place of myth and legend, believed to be the Calypso isle of Homer's Odyssey. The countryside is dotted with old stone farmhouses and baroque churches, as well as some prehistoric temples and other historic sites of importance. The commercial centre of the island, Victoria, has a sleepy 17th-century feel. The town has many buildings of historical and cultural interest, mostly sited inside the Citadel, the ancient fortified part of the town. Gozo can be reached from Malta's Grand Harbour by ferry in about 20 minutes.
Museum of Archaeology
The Gozo Museum of Archaeology is housed in a 17th century building that was originally the town hall and is situated within the walls of the Citadel in Victoria, behind the Old Gate. The museum illustrates the cultural history of Gozo from prehistoric times to the early modern era, presented chronologically from the Neolithic and Temple Period onwards through the Phoenician, Roman, Medieval and Knights of St John periods.
Caves of Xaghra
Overlooking the red sands of the island of Gozo's best beach (Ramla Ihamra) is the mythological Calypso Cave, famed in Greek Mythology and part of the alabaster caves of Xaghra, which are home to stalagmites and stalactites. Calypso cave is believed to be the one referred to in Homer's Odyssey as being where the beautiful nymph Calypso kept Odysseus as a 'prisoner of love' for seven years. Two other caves at Xaghra are Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Grotto, both more impressive than Calypso, but lacking the love story. Below Calypso Cave are the remains of a fortification built by the Knights of St John as a defence bastion.
Telephone: 2156 0572; Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm (Xerri's Grotto closed on Sundays); Admission: Calypso Cave is free, but there is a fee of 75c for Xerri's Grotto
Inland Sea
The secluded and pebbled bathing pool of Dwejra offers a range of aquatic activities, such as diving into the 'blue hole' near the Azure Windown and filled with crystalline waters it is known as the 'Inland Sea'. It is an area with strange rock formations causing interesting swimming holes. It's most famous rock is Fungus Rock, which was apparently heavily guarded during the era of the Knights of Malta because a special plant with healing properties grew upon it, and stealing the plant was liable to earn the thief the death penalty.
Transport: Dwejra can be reached on bus 1 or 2 from Victoria
Marsalforn
Gozo's most popular summer resort is the small fishing village of Marsalforn, which is situated on the sandy shores of the sin kissed northern coastline. It offers various spots for swimming and water sports, and is well supplied with restaurants, bars and accommodation establishments.
Transport: Bus 21 from Victoria
