If you’re planning a relaxing Gozo holiday then we recommend you read our blog post Relax To The Slower Pace of Village Life In Gozo. This lets you in on one of Gozo's best kept secrets – that our laid back pace of life, gentle countryside and traditional villages will help you de-stress and reset on your precious break.
Many of our luxury villa and restored farmhouse properties on Gozo, Malta are situated in or on the outskirts of many of Gozo’s villages. This means our guests can simply stroll into the local village square to sample a delicious pastizzi or ftira from the local bakery and get a real feel for village life.
And getting out into Gozo’s rolling countryside is also easy – there are many paths and hiking routes that both circumnavigate the island and link villages. You can explore on foot, on a bike, by bus and even by Segway!
Our first two guides to Gozo’s villages looked at the north west and southern parts of Gozo, respectively. This third guide focuses on the northern eastern region of Gozo, including the villages of Xagħra, Żebbuġ, the fishing port of Marsalforn and Ramla Bay.
Xagħra
Xagħra Square. Photo from Tripadvisor.com
Xagħra (pronounced Shhara) is found to the north east of Gozo’s capital, Victoria, and about half way to the beautiful, red sandy beach of Ramla Bay.
As well as offering easy access to some of Gozo’s best known natural beauty, historical and cultural sites, Xagħra is well worth visiting itself. The village has an attractive central piazza – St George’s Square – with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants. Xagħra has an impressive Basilica also located in the square. If you visit in early September you can take part in the village’s lively annual festa.
The village also has a couple of unique and surprising tourist attractions – the quirky Pomskizillious Museum of Toys, and two magical caves full of incredible limestone formations. The museum is named after the nonsense word that artist and poet Edward Lear used to describe Gozo when he visited in 1866. And the two caves are named after the people who first stumbled upon them beneath two private houses in the village – Xerri’s Grotto and Ninu’s Cave.
Just outside the village you’ll find the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Ġgantija Temple complex – a neolithic site older than the pyramids in Egypt. The complex comprises two stone temples which date back to around 3600BC and visitors can access them via a walkway.
The less ancient, 18th century restored Ta Kola Windmill is also worth visiting. In fact you can visit both the temples and the windmill on a combined Discover Gozo ticket.
Ramla Bay
When you want a day soaking up the sun and enjoying the sea, the red sandy beach of Ramla Bay is only a short drive away.
Ramla Bay is Gozo’s best and most popular beach, comprising a wide stretch of fine red sand. It offers safe swimming and snorkeling and there are facilities such as public toilets and restaurants. You can also hire sun loungers and parasols. The beach also has a Grade 1 national monument – the statue of Our Lady of Hope.
If you feel like some more strenuous exercise then why not hike up to Calypso Cave on one side or Tal Mixta cave on the other to enjoy fantastic views of the bay. Well worth the effort to get that Instagram shot.
Baron Holiday Homes in Xagħra:
La Rustica Holiday Home in Xagħra. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
We have five lovely rental properties in Xaghra, all with private pools, for you to choose from, including an authentic 200-year old restored farmhouse – the 3-bedroom Gawhra Holiday Home.
Other properties include La Rustica, which has fabulous views of the Citadella; Ta Leli, just 2km from Ramla Beach; Razzett Luna, which can accommodate up to 10 guests; and The Blue House, which has a rooftop jacuzzi.
Żebbuġ
Sunset as seen from Żebbuġ. Photo: Baron Holiday Home
Perched on a hill in the north of Gozo, Żebbuġ offers great views of both the countryside and the Mediterranean Sea. Looking west, you can enjoy great sunsets from here too. Żebbuġ’s beautiful 17th century church, dedicated to Santa Marija, has a stunning interior with rich locally-sourced onyx decoration.
The church plays an important part in Żebbuġ’s annual festa in August every year and local people take great care of the many religious shrines, or niches, you’ll see in the village streets.
When you’re in Żebbuġ look out for some of the high quality artisan crafts that the villagers are renowned for on Gozo. These include traditional lace, wool blankets, and woven textiles. All make great souvenirs of your Gozo holiday.
The north coast of Gozo is easily accessible from Żebbuġ and offers good hiking and diving. Our blog post Discover The Delights of Gozo’s North Coast provides a useful introduction to exploring this region. And the resort of Marsalforn (see section below) is also close by.
The 350-year old shallow salt pans carved out of the rock at Xwejni Bay are a must to visit. Sea salt has been harvested here for generations of just a few local families who wait for the sea water to evaporate before gathering salt by hand from the pans. Gozo sea salt is exceptionally pure and totally organic. You can taste it in Gozo’s distinctive cuisine – and even in the locally brewed beer.
Baron Holiday Homes in Żebbuġ:
Ta' Indri Holiday Home in Żebbuġ. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
We have two Baron Holiday Homes in and around Żebbuġ. Our Ta Indri Holiday Home is a modern country house that sleeps up to nine guests and is located right in the heart of the village. It has a rooftop terrace that offers amazing views.
Marsalforn
Night time view of the promenade at Marsalforn, Gozo. Photo credit: VisitGozo.com
Marsalforn, on the north-eastern side of the Gozo, is a popular beach resort and is bustling in the summer months. It has a long promenade with many bars, cafes and restaurants where you can dine al fresco, or just sit and watch the boats in the bay. There is also a lively calendar of live music throughout the year.
It has a small sandy beach for swimming and snorkelling and also offers lots of watersports as well as boating and diving trips around Gozo and Comino. Don’t forget that Baron Holiday Homes is also very happy to help you book boat trips and dive experiences with our trusted local partners.
Baron Holiday Homes in Marsalforn:
The Communal pool at Hillock Residences, Marsalforn. Photo credit: Baron Holiday Homes
Our Hillock Residences is a complex of well-equipped, self-catering modern apartments located just outside Marsalforn. We currently offer 14 Hillock Holiday Homes here. All have either a backyard or a balcony and access to a communal pool.
The Baron Experience
Baron Holiday Homes offers more than 90 fantastic rental properties on Gozo in Malta, including apartments, villas and farmhouses, many with private pools. Booking your Gozo holiday with us is easy and we have a flexible booking policy with a low booking deposit – you only pay the balance 15 days before arrival.
Our guests can book with confidence as we offer a grace period. Our money-back guarantee means that if you have up to 24 hours to cancel a booking (at least two days prior to the arrival date) and will get a full refund with no extra fees.
We have more than 25 years’ experience of operating high quality holiday homes in Gozo, Malta and we also offer a great range of extra services and activities to make your holiday even more special.
Posted in Beach, Churches, Cultural activities, Family, Festa, Fun, In-house services, Local, Properties, Services, Summer, Things to do, Traditions, Village life, Walk, What to see in Gozo
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