The spring months of March, April and May are a great time to plan a holiday on Gozo as milder average temperatures (14°C, 16°C, 19°C, respectively) and longer days mean you can spend more time exploring the island and being active outdoors.
There are so many things to do on Gozo in spring. You may wish to simply chill out and relax – and our Baron Holiday Home properties will allow you to do just that! Gozo is perfect for a romantic spring getaway but if you’re looking for a family break full of fun and activity, then a spring break on Gozo is also a great option. Culture vultures will also find that spring is the best time to explore Gozo’s ancient heritage as well as to soak up its musical culture.
Wild flowers bring a splash of colour to Gozo in spring. Photo credit: Baron Holiday Homes
We’ve selected five tempting reasons to visit Gozo in the spring…
Enjoy the beauty of Gozo’s spring flowers
In spring, Gozo’s green rolling countryside becomes a patchwork of colour as patches of wild flowers, such as purple iris, red poppies and yellow Maltese everlasting flowers start to bloom all over the island.
Here’s a short video clip taken by our drone of Wied l-Għasri in late February/early March 2017:
March and April are the best months to see wild flowers on Gozo but you’ll also find many native plants blooming throughout May and June. It’s worth checking out the carpets of purple flowering wild thyme on the spectacular Ta’ Cenc cliffs on Gozo, along with the pale yellow flowers and silvery leaves of the Gozitan Sempreviva, or ‘everlasting’. These yellow flowers are quite endangered and can only be seen on Gozo and Comino islands.
Get out and about in Gozo
With mild to warm weather, sunshine and blue skies, spring is a great time to get out and about on Gozo.
Spring on Gozo is the ideal time to enjoy a variety of active pursuits so you can keep fit and explore the island at the same time. Gozo’s varied scenery is probably best enjoyed on two feet and there are plenty of winding rural roads, rugged coastal paths, and inviting village lanes to explore for those who like hiking.
Spring is a great time to go rock climbing on Gozo. Photo credit: www.visitgozo
For the more active, Gozo is a great place to enjoy kayaking, cycling, rock climbing,and scuba diving. In fact, Gozo is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, with clear blue water and a variety of reefs, wrecks and caves to explore.
Alternatively, you can enjoy horseriding, go on a road trip with a hire car, go on a Jeep Safari, tour the island on quad bikes, or even see Gozo on a Segway tour!
Take time to explore Gozo’s ancient heritage
Gozo’s fascinating history comprises waves of different cultures occupying the island, including Sicilian, North African, Phoenician, The Knights Templar, and the British. The earliest evidence of occupation is the Ġgantija temple complex in Xagħra – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These Neolithic temples were built between 3600 and 3200 B.C. and are older than Stonehenge. You can explore the complex and discover how they were built, and learn about the ancient people who worshipped here.
The Citadel, Victoria, Gozo. Photo credit: www.visitgozo.com
Another must-see heritage site on Gozo is The Citadel, in Gozo’s capital Victoria. This small fortified city dates back to the early 17th century when the Maltese islands were ruled by the Knights Templar. And there is evidence that the fortress is built on top of a settlement believed to date even further back to the Phoenicians and Romans.
And near Sannat, in the south of Gozo, you’ll find Neolithic cart ruts, three dolmens (burial mounds), and the L-Imramma Temple.
Check out Gozo’s amazing churches
For a small island, Gozo has a surprising number of churches. There are 46 Roman Catholic churches serving a population of just 37,000. Twenty of these can be found in Gozo’s capital, Victoria, has 20 churches alone.
Every village has its own church, ranging from small chapels to amazing structures that dominate the skyline. In style you’ll find 17th century baroque as well as 20th century neoclassical, all built by local highly-skilled craftsmen.
The imposing Ta’ Pinu Basilica, Gharb, Gozo. Photo credit: www.visitgozo.com
Some churches you must see:
Gozo Cathedral, Victoria. This beautiful baroque building has a flat roof but if you go inside and look up, you’ll think you’re looking at the interior of a dome, thanks to a remarkable trompe l’oeil painting.
St George’s Basilica, Victoria. Considered a baroque masterpiece, this church is completely covered in marble. Its interior is spectacular, with golden ornamentation and many paintings covering the walls, ceiling and dome.
St John the Baptist, Xewkija. Also known as the Rotunda, this is largest church on Gozo, with the third-largest unsupported dome in Europe, behind St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Ta’ Pinu Basilica, Gharb. This massive and beautiful church dominates the countryside and sits on the edge of a cliff. Worth visiting for its opulent interior.
Give your ears a treat
Losing yourself while listening to beautiful music is another great way to relax on holiday. Every spring for the past 11 years, Gozo has hosted the Gaulitana Music Festival making this time of year extra special for music loving holidaymakers. In 2017, the festival runs from 25 February to 2 April, and comprises a lively and varied programme of evening and lunchtime concerts featuring local and international musicians plus associated events and talks.
Gaulitaina Music Festival, Gozo. Photo credit: www.visitgozo.com
The five-week festival is bookended by a semi-staged production of the musical Show Boat as an opener, and a finale featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. One of the highlights of the festival is a full-scale production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Aurora Opera house in Gozo’s capital, Victoria.
Ask us for help
Baron Holiday Homes is happy to organise car hire, tours of Gozo, and special activities for our guests whatever time of year you visit. Just get in touch and we’ll tell you all you need to know about walks near to your rental property, special events in villages nearby, and other local information.
Posted in Activity, Churches, Cycling, Diving, Fun, Heritage, Things to do, Walk
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