Gozo Coastal Walking Escape

We arrive at our hotel in Sannat – the evening is yours to settle in, unpack and enjoy your first dinner.

We start in Mgarr, Gozo’s bustling port, alive with colourful luzzu fishing boats and overlooked by Fort Chambray from the 18th century, built by the Knights of St John. We follow the coast to the narrow creek of Mgarr ix–Xini – once the landing place of Turkish raiders in 1551 – an inviting spot for a picnic and swim. We then climb an old mule track through the hotel’s rocky grounds with fine views across to Malta, pausing to explore the remains of a Copper Age temple and a Neolithic dolmen.

We explore the north western corner of the island on foot along easy farm tracks. Our first stop is the remarkable neo Romanesque Basilica at Ta’ Pinu, a national shrine built on the site of a miracle in 1923. We continue through ravine like wieds (wadis) to Gharb, with its stunning Baroque church (1699) and traditional stone houses, then follow the dramatic north coast cliffs with sweeping views over Gozo’s famous salt pans. Two walking options – 3.5 hours, 12 km/7.5 miles, or 4 hours, 14 km/9 miles.

We walk the highest and most dramatic cliffs near Sannat – in late spring alive with Mediterranean shearwaters – taking in vistas towards Comino and Malta before descending through tamarisk trees to lovely Xlendi Bay. We then climb through terraced fields bright with poppies and rows of gladioli reminiscent of Provençal lavender. Two walking options – 2.5 hours, 9 km/5.5 miles, or 3 hours, 10 km/6 miles.

Today you could take a ride on one of Gozo’s quirky buses to Xaghra to begin the morning, then visit the Ggantija Tombs – a massive freestanding temple of monoliths standing 6 m high – and Calypso’s Cave. You can enjoy lunch on Ramla Bay, the island’s finest beach, before perhaps heading to the lively capital, Victoria, for the afternoon. The bustling market square, a meeting place since Roman times, is dominated by the mediaeval citadel with spectacular views over the whole island, while the real charm lies in the maze of tiny back streets around the Basilica, with carved stone balconies, flower decked doorways and statuettes of the Madonna in street corner niches.

Today we head to the west coast and the fascinating Punic burial site at Wardija Point. There is a mythical feeling here – like standing on the edge of the world. We follow narrow stone walled lanes down to bamboo groves and on to Fungus Rock, named for the reputedly magic plant that once grew there, and the Inland Sea.

We start in Qala for an easy stroll to Dahlet Qorrot, a tiny harbour with gaily coloured boat houses. We continue through fragrant lemon groves and vineyards, passing fig and peach trees en route to San Blas Bay, a hidden beach with gorgeous ochre coloured sand. Our final stop is Nadur, where spectacular views make a fitting finale to the week.

We enjoy a final breakfast – the tour ends in Gozo.