Gozo Day Trip From Malta Including Ggantija Temples (Full Day Including Lunch)

Description

Gozo is an enchanting island, brimming with rich history at every twist and turn. During this full-day tour, you will experience Gozo’s magnificent heritage, visit key landmarks, and discover hidden gems, all while relishing the impressive beauty and distinctive charm this tiny island has to offer.

After a short twenty-minute ferry crossing, you will reach Mġarr harbour, which immediately sets the pace for Gozo’s unique atmosphere.

Gozo is an idyllic Mediterranean island of quaint fishing villages and peaceful bays. The pastoral landscape features green, rolling hills with a patchwork of small farms that lead down to sandy beaches and small coves. Although the two islands are only separated by a mere eight-kilometre channel, upon setting foot on the island, you will immediately notice that Gozo has its own unique character and atmosphere and is far more rural and picturesque than the island of Malta.

Your tour will begin with a visit to the megalithic temples of Gantija, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. Along with the Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples and Skorba Temples in Malta, this remarkable archaeological site dates to around 3600–2500 BC. The Ġgantija temples are thought to be the second oldest free-standing structures in the world, second only to Göbekli Tepe in Turkey and pre-dating Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Egypt by about 1000 years! The name “Ġgantija” is derived from the Maltese word for giant (“Ġgant”) because it was believed that the site was constructed by a race of giants. This mythical concept is understandable considering that the temples are made of massive limestone blocks measuring over five metres in length and weighing more than 50 tonnes.

After visiting the temples of Ġgantija, you will proceed to visit Victoria, the delightful capital city of Gozo. Victoria is not just the geographic heart of Gozo; it is also the centre of everyday activity. It manages to combine the hustle and bustle of its market and shops with a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. It is a great place to watch the islanders go about their day, especially when the main market square comes to life.

At the heart of the city lies another majestic site: the mediaeval fortress known locally as “Iċ-Ċittadella” (The Citadel). With its distinctive skyline and imposing military architecture, this ancient, fortified structure stands out as Gozo’s major landmark, a beacon visible from all over the island.

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and the site now occupied by The Citadel is believed to have been the acropolis of the Punic-Roman city of Gaulos, or Glauconis Civitas. During the mediaeval period, the acropolis was converted into a castle, which served as a refuge for Gozo’s population. A suburb began to develop outside its walls by the 15th century, and this area now forms the historic core of Victoria.

Your next visit is to the delightful sea inlet known as Xlendi Bay. Located at the end of a deep, lush ravine that was once a riverbed and surrounded by picturesque, steep cliffs, the bay is now on the must-visit list of most day-trippers to the island. Xlendi’s small but lively promenade is busy at all times of the day, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and a handful of souvenir shops. Though seemingly bursting with activity during the summer, Xlendi Bay remains a refreshingly quiet place even at the height of the season.

Your last stop is at Dwejra Bay. Situated on the western shore of the island of Gozo, this area is a geological and ecological haven. All the various surroundings are a blend of geology, landscape, fauna, habitats, shorelines, seascapes, archaeology, flora, and history, which makes a visit to this site an experience to remember.

Dwejra Bay is also known for its Inland Sea, a small bay surrounded by high cliffs and connected by an impressive 65-meter-long natural tunnel that opens out into the open sea, a truly fascinating natural formation that evokes awe and leaves a striking impression. Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to take a short boat trip through the narrow tunnel and its surrounding area. This boat trip is available at a small fee payable on location (the boat trip is not included in your package price).

Lunch is included during this tour.

During the whole tour, our knowledgeable and experienced guides will provide you with riveting information and enhance your experience through narration and engaging storytelling.

What should you know before you go?

• The time shown on the website or on your ticket is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 8:10 AM and 9:10 AM, depending on where you are staying.

• To confirm your pick-up location (meeting point) and your pick-up time, please send an e-mail to internal-tours@robertarrigo.com at least a few days before the date of your activity. Make sure to include your booking reference number in the e-mail.

• The tour will be guided in the language that you have booked; however, please note that occasionally, due to operational circumstances, a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of two languages) might provide the commentary in two languages.

• The tour in Polish will be conducted by either a Polish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a native Polish host serving as a translator.

• The tour in Spanish will be conducted by either a Spanish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking host serving as a translator.

• The provider reserves the right to change the order of the visits without prior notice.

• The boat trip at Dwejra Bay is not included in the price of your package; the boat trip is optional (to be paid on location) and can only be done subject to favourable weather conditions. The cost is around €6 per person; however, please note that the fee can change without prior notice.

• No particular dress code is required; we suggest wearing comfortable clothes according to the forecasted weather.

• The tour is not wheelchair-accessible.

• Foldable strollers are allowed during the tour.

• Pets, large luggage, and large suitcases are not allowed during the tour.

• Any personal belongings, including backpacks or rucksacks, must be carried with you at all times and may not be left unattended on the coach or bus.

• The tour is not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments.

• The tour will operate as scheduled, rain or shine.

• Both electronic and paper vouchers are accepted.

• If the tour is cancelled due to poor sea conditions, making it unfeasible to cross by ferry to the island of Gozo, you will be offered to reschedule your activity on a different date; if you cannot reschedule, a full refund will be given.

What to bring?

• Comfortable shoes

• Sunglasses

• A hat or a cap (especially in summer)

• Sunscreen (especially in summer)

• An umbrella (if it's expected to rain) 

• Some cash

Included on booking:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (from your hotel or a close meeting point)

• A licenced tour guide

• Lunch (fixed menu) including a glass of wine

• All transportation in air-conditioned vehicles

• Admission to all sites included in the itinerary

• Roundtrip Gozo ferry tickets

Not included on booking:

• The optional boat trip at Dwejra Bay (to be paid on location)

• Any extra drinks consumed during lunch

• Tips (optional)