Gozo Beaches: How to Explore Without a Car

The Island of Gozo is a hidden gem within the Maltese archipelago, offering beaches that are a peaceful alternative to busier Malta. Although Gozo is only nine miles long, it’s packed full of rustic and rural places to spend time in the sun.

From the dramatic orange sand of Ramla Beach to the secluded rocky inlet of Wied-Il-Ghasri, this guide covers all the best beaches, which I’ve visited myself, and includes details of a fabulous hidden beach on Gozo. 

I’ve included a map, along with details of how to get to the beaches without a car, so that you can easily plan your trip to Gozo.

A guide to the best beaches on Gozo

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Overview: 5 Best Gozo Beaches

If you’re short on time, these are the five best beaches in Gozo:

• Mġarr Ix-Xini, south Gozo – small beach, great for water activities.
• Ramla Bay, north Gozo – sandy, Blue Flag beach status.
• Wied il-Għasri, north west Gozo – rocky inlet, access via steep steps.
• Daħlet Qorrot, east Gozo – quiet cove with fishing huts.
• Ħondoq  ir-Rummien, south east Gozo – local spot, sandy and rocky.

Read on to discover all the details of these, and more, beautiful beaches and bays in Gozo which are just one of the things that make Malta worth visiting.

If you’re pushed for time, why not take one of these amazing Gozo tours.

The Best Gozo Beach – Mgarr-ix-Xini

For me, Mgarr-ix-Xini is the best beach in Gozo and a must-visit if you only have one day on Gozo. 

On my visits I enjoyed its rough and ready appeal, and its popularity with locals.

The beach is small here but the local feel and stretch of water for swimming makes this an ideal place to soak up the Maltese sun.

If you like your day at the beach to come with some kind of activity, there’s Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) and kayaks to rent to keep you entertained. I’ve done both here and soon got the hang of it.

For food, the restaurant on the beach gets very busy but there’s also a food truck up to the right-hand side.

Pro tip: I recommend hiring a kayak and taking it all the way around the corner to the inlet on the right, where you can paddle right up to a cave.

How to Get to Mgarr-ix-Xini

• From Mgarr Harbour walk 50 minutes along the coast to the west, passing Mġarr ix-Xini Tower on your way.
• From Victoria take bus number 301 to the Heliport stop (10 minutes) then walk 25 minutes, or walk the whole way (50 minutes).

Xatt l-Aħmar

The coastline next to the partially abandoned Fort Chambray is great to explore.  Head down on to the coast below and you’ll find a lovely stretch of rocks and Gozo swimming spots to enjoy. 

Although this area is close to the harbour, it’s surprisingly easy to find a patch to yourself.  I didn’t see many other people, apart from a few divers and local families, on my walks here.

Pro Tip: There are steps here to help you get into the sea.

How to Get to Xatt l-Aħmar

• From Mgarr Harbour walk 15 minutes along the coast to the west.
• From Victoria take bus number 301 to Fort Chambray (20 minutes) then walk ten minutes, or walk the whole way (90 minutes).

Xlendi Beach and Xlendi Grotto

Xlendi is a popular beach on Gozo, due to a mix of small bars and restaurants and beautiful calm waters.  The main bay is compact and there’s a fun pathway you can climb up to the right-hand side, for a bird’s eye view of the beach. 

Xlendi beach is a great choice for water sports. Prices are from €50 for 20 minutes of 2-person jet ski hire.

The best part of Xlendi beach is a hidden section that many people don’t visit. Follow the path around the corner in the direction of Xlendi Tower. You’ll find a quieter and more picturesque area to swim in at Xlendi grotto.

I loved swimming here on my visits. Rough steps have been worn into the rocks and a set of metal stairs helps you get down into the gorgeous water.  Find your own spot on the rocks and jump right in.

You can also walk along the coast from Xlendi to visit the stunning Sanap Cliffs.

How to Get to Xlendi

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 301 or 303 to Victoria (15 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 306 or 330 to Xlendi (15 minutes) or walk (35 minutes).

Dwejra Bay and The Inland Sea

Located at the bottom of an incredibly steep hill in west Gozo are the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole, a popular spot for boat trips along the coast and diving.

Don’t miss a swim in at Dwejra Bay. To get here, walk across the rocks to the south of the car park for the Inland Sea and Blue Hole.

Getting into the sea here requires heading down a staircase. There’s no sandy beach, just rocks to bask on and the gloriously refreshing water to relax in. This means it’s likely to be a lot less busy than some of the other beaches on this list.

How to Get to the Blue Window/Blue Hole

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 301 or 303 to Victoria (15 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 311 to Dwejra (20 minutes).

Wied-Il-Ghasri: a Hidden Gem

Don’t miss visiting the incredible Wied-Il-Ghasri on your trip to Gozo.  Whilst there is very little in the way of anything you might typically classify as a beach here, it’s a stunning place to swim. 

Wied-Il-Ghasri is one of my favourite Gozo beaches.  Floating on the turquoise water in the gorge cut between the cliffs is a moment of bliss. 

Getting to Wied-Il-Ghasri requires some physical exertion, as it’s at the bottom of a long set of steep steps. 

Pro Tip: To enter the water you’ll climb over rocky ground so water shoes are useful here.

How to Get to Wied-Il-Ghasri

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 301 or 303 to Victoria (15 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 309 to Stivali (15 minutes) then walk for 15 minutes, or walk the whole way from Victoria (1 hour).

Xwejni Bay

Xwejni Bay is quiet and easy to reach by a 20 minute walk from Marsalforn. The main highlight is viewing the spectacular rock formations of the surrounding coastline and the coastal salt pans in the northwest of Gozo. 

How to Get to Xwejni Bay

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 301 or 303 to Victoria (15 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 310 to Xwejni (20 minutes) then walk for 10 minutes.

Marsalforn Bay

Marsalforn is one of the bigger beaches on Gozo.  This beach will suit those who are looking for a lively bar and restaurant scene. The beach area itself is not the prettiest but if you like your beach to be conveniently close to lots of services, this is a good place to visit.

How to Get to Marsalforn Bay

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 310 or 303 to Victoria (15 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 310 to Magro, Marsalforn (20 minutes) or walk the whole way (45 minutes).

Ix-Xtajta

Ix-Xtajta is one of the hidden beaches in Gozo and is a beautiful, secluded, beach. I loved the tranquillity here, although it is rocky, so be prepared for that. There are no services but it’s close to Ramla if you need them.

How to Get to Ix-Xtajta

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 322 to Ramla (17 minutes) then walk 12 minutes, or take bus number 301 to Victoria.
• From Victoria take bus number 302 to Ramla (25 minutes) then walk 12 minutes, or walk the whole way (65 minutes).

Ramla Bay

There are not many sandy beaches in Gozo. Instead, Gozo beaches are, by and large, rocky affairs or small inlets, which is all a part of Gozo’s charm. 

However, sometimes what you’re after is just a blooming huge strip of ochre-coloured sand to stretch out on and, thankfully, Gozo has also got that covered.

The impressive sandy beach of Ramla Bay stretches out along the northern coast and its golden grains provide plenty of room for beach games or taking a relaxing snooze.  Make sure you include it on your Malta trip itinerary.

As the biggest beach on Gozo, it can get busier than others but head to the eastern end and you’ll likely find it less populated. 

There are great facilities here, toilets, a restaurant and probably the best ice cream vans in Europe.  The selection of refreshing treats is immense.  Is it acceptable to admit that I have been known to visit this beach just for the very reasonably priced ice lollies?

At the eastern end of the bay, you can take a short walk up the cliff to take photos from the Insta- famous Tal-Mixta cave.

If you’re looking for inspiration to caption your photos, check out my article on 89 Top Couple Travel Quotes for Instagram You Need to Know.

How to Get to Ramla Bay

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 322 to Ramla (17 minutes) then walk 5 minutes, or take bus number 301 to Victoria.
• From Victoria take bus number 302 to Ramla (25 minutes) then walk 5 minutes, or walk the whole way (65 minutes).

San Blas Bay

The beautiful San Blas Bay is often mentioned as one of the best, most secluded and quietest of the Gozo beaches.  It’s one of the best Instagram spots on Gozo.

However, whilst San Blas is indeed pretty, it’s unfortunately no longer such an unknown secret and can get busy in peak summer.

Food and drink are available from the beachside kiosk. The pathway down is super steep and can be treacherously slippery (even in dry weather), so when I arrived at the beach it felt like an epic achievement. 

Pro Tip: For a few euros, a jeep service will take you back up if you don’t fancy making the return trip on foot.

How to Get to San Blas Bay

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 303 to Weraq (18 minutes) then walk 10 minutes, or walk the whole way (65 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 303 to Weraq (20 minutes) then walk 10 minutes, or walk the whole way (95 minutes).

Daħlet Qorrot

Dahlet Qorrot involves a steep cycle or walk down, as is the case with many of the Gozo beaches, but it’s worth every sweaty step. 

We had the privilege of having it all to ourselves on our visit.  Even if you don’t get that lucky, it’s still one of the less busy beaches on Gozo and a peaceful splash around in the calm waters does wonders for the soul.

Traditional boathouses encircle the gentle bay and the water is dreamy for swimming in.  Plus there’s a sandy patch, which is not all that common in Gozo.  When you get hungry, there’s a kiosk serving drinks and snacks. 

How to Get to Daħlet Qorrot

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 303 to Qorrot (15 minutes) then walk 25 minutes or walk the whole way (65 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 303 to Qorrot (15 minutes) then walk 25 minutes or walk the whole way (90 minutes).

Hondoq ir-Rummien

This Gozo beach has plenty of water sports to enjoy.  You can hire a jet ski, boat, kayak or paddle board. As such, it’s popular, but there’s still plenty of space, particularly if you don’t mind stretching out on the rocks, rather than the sand. 

Hondoq ir-Rummien beach is also great if you enjoy nothing more than diving into the sea, as it has three platforms which you’ll see loads of people using.

There are beachside cafes and toilets just behind the beach.

Pro Tip: Located a 30-minute walk from Mgarr Harbour, Hondoq is a great option if you’ve only got a day on Gozo.

On your way to or from Hondoq bay, take a swim at the small inlet to the west of the main beach. 

How to Get to Hondoq ir-Rummien

• From Mgarr Harbour take bus number 303 to Kuncizzjoni (15 minutes) then walk 15 minutes or walk the whole way (30 minutes).
• From Victoria take bus number 303 to Kuncizzjoni (25 minutes) then walk 15 minutes, or walk the whole way (2 hours).

A Hidden Beach in Gozo

Around the coast, east from Hondoq and before St. Anthony’s Battery, is one of Gozo’s best-kept secrets.  It’s the location of one of the best hidden beaches on Gozo.

This beach is so peaceful you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on a desert island. 

The route to get here is waymarked from Hondoq with occasional paint markings.  Stop anywhere you choose on the pebbly beach, past Villa Torre, in front of Halfa Rock just off the coast.

When you want to stretch your legs, take a wander further east to view the 18th-century St. Anthony’s Battery.  Whilst you can’t go inside, it’s worth a look around the outside for its unusual shape.  This stretch of the coast requires some scrambling over boulders.

Bonus Beach: Blue Lagoon, Comino

The Blue Lagoon is part of Comino Island, but it’s so easy to reach from Gozo that I’ve included it on this list of Gozo beaches.  It’s also so draw-dropingly beautiful that I wouldn’t want anyone to be this near and miss out.

Swimming in the Blue Lagoon is one of the best things you can do whilst in Malta.

Book a boat tour if you really want to make a day of it. Don’t miss a visit to the Crystal Lagoon whilst you’re here.

How to Get to The Blue Lagoon

Check out my article on how to get to the Blue Lagoon for all the details on how to get to this wonderful place.

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Gozo Beaches Map

I’ve created a Gozo beaches map to help you find all the beaches in this article. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the names.

For more beautiful beach inspiration, check out this guide to the Best Beaches in Havana or this article on the beaches on Ischia island, Italy.

Wrap Up

As you can see, the Gozo island beaches are a wonderful mix of sandy and rocky locations.  This means you’re sure to find a beach in Gozo that suits you.