On my previous trip to Malta, I didn’t make time to visit Gozo and Comino. This was one of the reasons I returned. A valid reason? Not so much. Victoria, which is the biggest town on the island, is small, and not too exciting. A main street along which there are a few businesses, a shopping mall, and a park with a somewhat hard to interpret ( 😀 ) banner promoting a sweet tooth festival, which might have been fun to attend. Follow the road, and at the top you’ll end up at the centre of town. A couple of squares and some narrow streets filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and the Cittadella. Not much else, from what I could see. I didn’t venture into the alleys, so perhaps I missed something. I’m thinking it might be nicer and more authentic in the evening, when daytrippers have left.
And the rest of Gozo didn’t seem too thrilling either. I got on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, and rode the two routes. Could be you’d find a small, charming village somewhere. I heard talks of a black sand beach, and some got off at Dwejra for the inland sea – honestly didn’t look like much. Driving through sand coloured and green, not lush green, landscape, gave me a dry, barren feeling. Only impressive sights are the monumental churches every small village has.
For my return trip, I got to Mgarr Harbour a little early. It was very windy, so I took shelter at one of basic the kiosks/cafes opposite the more or less empty terminal building. Lots of fishing boats had docked for the day, if that’s up your alley. There might be some restaurants at the marina part of the harbour, but looked fairly empty at this time of year. All in all, not plenty to do here either.
For some reason I had drawn the conclusion that getting from Sliema to Victoria would be a hassle on public transportation. Now I am not so sure. Yes, you’ll have to do bus, ferry (Gozo Channel Line), bus, but it might be a lot more adventurous and exciting than my choice, the Hop-On Hop-Off boat, also known as I-See-Malta boat. It was probably one of the most boring things I have ever done. Only plus is the fresh air. However you are not guaranteed a seat outside on the top deck. You might be stuck inside on the entry level deck. On a packed boat. It stops at Bugibba, and some sailings also go via Comino, before reaching Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. The ride itself is a little over an hour, but it felt a lot longer. It’s not really heaps to see on the way. Most interesting are the views as you approach the northern part of Malta Island and Comino. Cliffs, and some with solitary structures atop – churches, fortifications, towers in the middle of nowhere. The boat has a couple of departures in the morning, and three returns in the late afternoon. Getting from your hotel to Sliema Harbour, and back, you can use the Hop-On Hop-Off bus for free.
Victoria
The rest of Gozo
Hop-On Hop-Off sailing
