Holidays to Marsalforn

Top attractions

Marsalforn Bay is the allure for many who venture to this part of Gozo, whereas Xwejni and Ghar Qawqla bays are intriguing formations which are excellent for swimmers and explorers alike. You’ll come across the two bays when walking a short distance away after having settled down for your holidays to Marsalforn, while anyone wanting to delve deeper can sign up for a diving excursion beneath the deep blue sea – there being no better way to subject yourselves to natural vibrancy amid the captivating coral life.

Across the sea on the island of Malta, a popular pastime on holidays to Malta is exploring the beautiful countryside and coast on foot. So densely packed with remarkable views and landscapes, whatever direction you walk in Malta, you're sure to be rewarded with a stunning view. In the north you can walk the coastal paths between the resorts of Qawra, Bugibba and Mellieha Bay. Following the coastal paths you will find incredible views of St. Paul's Bay, as well as discovering the impressive Selmun Palace and Fort Campbell.

Beaches

Marsalforn lies on the north coast of Gozo, one of the Maltese islands in the Mediterranean. It’s popular in the summer holidays due to its sea front location. The awesome beaches in Marsalforn vary from small sandy shores, to rocky areas that are perfect for snorkeling. You can sunbathe under the warm sun or watch the fishermen mend their nets and tend to their boats. Marslaforn beach offers fun water-sports and also plenty of exciting boat trips. The beach backs onto a number of useful shops and popular cafés, perfect for picking up an ice cream or enjoying a bite of lunch.

A couple of kilometres east of Marsalforn is the famous Ramla Bay, a beautiful stretch of red sand and bright blue water. Ramla Bay has historic and cultural attractions too. There are Roman ruins buried below the sands and the beach is overlooked by Calpyso Cave (where it’s said Ulysses spent seven years trapped by a nymph according in Homer’s The Odyssey). Take a free ferry transfer from Marsalforn to Mgarr Harbour. Mgarr has a small beach to relax on, but the dock area with the fishing boats and yachts is a great place to explore on a Gozo holidays.

Eating out

Marsalforn nightlife is relaxed with a number of restaurants and hotels open in the warm summer evenings for a delicious meal or refreshing drink. La Trattoria is a great restaurant for a fun evening meal. It serves up wonderfully fresh fish platters and seafood. For something really special, head to the Restaurant Ta’Frenc. It’s housed in a beautiful converted farmhouse, 1.5km south of Marsalforn. Try traditional Maltese meals influenced with French and Italian cuisines, such as rack of lamb, ravioli and fish soups. There’s also a fantastic wine menu to try together.

Nightlife

Marsalforn has some bars and restaurants, but no massively heaving nightclubs. The nights aren't quiet, but this isn't exactly Ibiza. For a lively night out head to La Grotta nightclub in the nearby town of Xlendi.

Family holidays

Marsalforn is a great destination for families wanting something different from their Mediterranean holidays. Marsalforn has all the facilities you would want for a fun family holiday, including restaurants, beach, cafes and shops. There’s also plenty of beautiful countryside to explore with children – take them on exciting walks to Calypso Cave, Ramla Bay or the patch-work salt pans near Xwieni. There is a number of family friendly attractions in the nearby town of Xaghra, including the Pomskizillious Museum of Toys which has lovely displays of old toys, soldiers and dolls.

The main beach in Marsalforn is family friendly, with a small patch of sand at the head of the bay and lots of cafes, shops and restaurants nearby. For a long stretch of golden red sand, head to Ramla Bay, just a few kilometres east of Marsalforn. Gozo has lots of pretty coves to discover along its coastline, perfect for a family looking for a bit of adventure and something different on their Mediterranean holidays.

Couples holidays

Marsalforn is a beautiful retreat for couples wanting a tranquil and quiet break in the Mediterranean. Relax by the sea or take a hike together over the hills (look out for the Rio de Janeiro style Jesus statue) to discover the mysterious Calypso Cave and beautiful Ramla Bay. The surrounding area is perfect for walks together and exploring the beautiful coast of Gozo. Gozo is famed for its world-class diving spots and there is a choice of scuba diving centres in Marsalforn - perfect if you want to try something new and exciting on holiday together. Take the free ferry transfers to Mgarr for a romantic day-trip to Gozo’s pretty marina town. Head to the centre of the island to soak up the culture and history in Victoria; make sure you visit the famous citadel and eat at one of the fantastic traditional restaurants.

Action & Adventure

Marsalforn is a haven for ramblers and hikers. Situated on the stunning northern coast of Gozo, Marsalforn has coastal paths, valleys, cliffs and fields all within a couple of kilometres. Walk east over Redeemer Hill (recognisable by the large Jesus statue on its summit) and you'll find the gorgeous sandy shores of Ramla Bay, as well as the mysterious Calypso Cave.

Alternatively, follow the promenade west to reach the charming sandy coves of Qbajjar Bay and Xwieni Bay. A twenty minute hike from the patch-work like salt pans will take you to Wied il-Ghasri, a beautiful shingle beach that's reached by a steep staircase cut into the cliff – a great place for swimming and snorkelling in calm weather.

Gozo is only 7 kilometres wide by 12 kilometres long. Therefore most of the area is easy to reach by foot or cycle. The dramatic coastlines of Gozo reward ramblers with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea, and the walking terrain is perfect, with countless numbers of criss-crossing paths and tracks. You can grab a water taxi to Comino and explore the entire island by island on foot, or the areas near to San Lawrenz and the San Blas Valley in Gozo boast extraordinary views and terrain for rambling.

Culture

The nearby village of Xaghra is home to the Ggantija temples, two Neolithic stone temples dating back to 5000BC, making them one of the earliest, free-standing stone structures in the world. Not bad for a history buff, hey? Gozo went through the rule of Romans, Turks and then later, the British at the height of the empire, and there are examples of all of these cultures waiting to be discovered. Through food, architecture and even place names, you're bound to experience a bit of each.