The Azure Window at DwejraGozo is probably a must-see if you are visiting Malta. Not so much during the winter months, when a lot of the shops and restaurants close their shutters and there’s a kind of empty feeling about the place, but you should definitely make it part of your itinerary any other time of year.
Of course there is a certain appeal to the place that doesn’t exist when it’s overrun by tourists, so take your pick.
The Gozitans are to the Maltese as Newfoundlanders are to Canadians, or Alaskans to Americans. Regarded as having a certain quaint novelty value, glad you’re part of the team, but different. Gozo makes Malta seem like a cosmopolitan hub by comparison. It has a charm of it’s own though and if you are spending a week or more in Malta you are missing out if you don’t pay a visit to the red-headed cousin to the north.
In particular, you should get to Victoria, (the capital of the island) and Dwejra Bay in the west. Victoria is a small labyrinthine city with winding narrow streets and sandy coloured buildings, surrounded by the old citadel walls. Dwejra Bay is home to that very recognisable arch formed by the sea (picture above). Catch it while you can. Experts say that it will not be around for too much longer as erosion takes it’s toll. You can explore the rocks and caves beneath the arch, take the obligatory photographs and do a bit of sunning and swimming while you’re at it. I had a great time in both these places, for what it’s worth.
A lot of people recommend Ramla Bay, the red sandy beach to the North, although I haven’t made it there myself just yet. Marsalforn is a tourist town with big rocky beaches which we visited off-season, but I imagine there’s a lot more activity when the sun is shining.
Final thought for the day: Go to Gozo.
(This is one of the Top Ten things to do in Malta)
Things to Do in Gozo:
– Victoria
– Ramla Bay
– Blue Window
– Statue of Christ
– Marsalforn
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Ramala bay is certainly well worth a visit. The beach is huge (by Malta/Gozo standards) and easily accessible by bus. It has the customary beach cafe/Lido(s). Prices/food much the same as any similar establishments so good value.
If you get bored lying on the beach and are feeling adventurous then… From the beach and facing the sea, look to your right up towards the end of the cliffs and you should see “Calypso’s Cave” According to one of those little signs (in the car park next to the Lido) the cave was the home of the nymph Calypso as mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey.
It’s just about accessible by following the beach along, clambering over the rocks and climbing up through the scrub land (avoiding the odd “No Entry” signs put up by local farmers). The final climb is steep and fairly treacherous so only attempt if you are (reasonably) fit and wearing appropriate footwear. (I’m 53 years old and did it in trainers so you don’t need to be a mountaineer). The cave itself is pretty amazing but I won’t describe it as it would spoil the surprise.
Once up there I found you could get out on top of the cliffs where there is a house and road leading right up to it. You’d have to look at a map for the road access though. (Seems like cheating to me).
Only down side (as is sadly common in Malta/Gozo). The amount of rubbish left lying about. The cave is full of empty Cisk bottles. .
For anyone who doesn’t fancy the climb but wants to see a short video. Search Youtube for “Calypso’s Cave Gozo” where I’m going to upload a short video (taken on my phone so not great quality(sorry).
Thanks for the tip, I didn’t realise you could actually access that cave.