Holidays to Victoria

Victoria is also known among Maltese natives as 'Rabat', which is still the name of the old town in Victoria. As the capital of Gozo, Victoria has a wide range of historic sights, but also excellent access for the rest of Gozo, and even across the small jump between Gozo and Malta from Mgarr harbour.

At the very heart of the city lies the Citadella (Citadel), which is a physical monument to Gozo's rich and varied history. Historians theorise that the Citadella would've been at the heart of the island's culture since the Neolithic period, but over the centuries different cultures have added, taken away and shaped the Citadella which you can see today.

The modern centre  of Victoria is the Pjazza Indipenza (Independence Square) or, to the natives, It-Tokk. Here you'll find an open air market in the morning and a host of open-air cafes, plus the same rich history in the form of the Banca Giuratale (constructed in the 18th century), home of the Victoria council.

Gozo is only a small island and if you choose to base yourself in Victoria you'll have access to all of the best beaches. These include the popular Ramla Beach in the north of the island, Xlendi in the south or the popular north-western resort of Marsalforn.

At Ramla Beach you'll find calm waters in Ramla Bay and a sandy beach which is often on the top of the list of Malta beaches. Known locally as 'Ramla il-Flamra' (Red Sandy Beach), this red-sand beach is expansive, family-friendly and definitely worth a visit if you want a daytrip out of Victoria.

Xlendi is a small beach in the south, quite close to Victoria. Suitable for families, the shallow waters, calm seas are all watched over by a series of seafront restaurants and cafes. For those that want to head underwater, Xlendi might be the best pick. Because of the calm waters and series of rocks and caves, diving here is not only renowned, but suitable for beginners.

Marsalforn, which you might see referred to as M'forn in some cases, is a popular beach resort on the north of Gozo. In the summer Marsalforn teems with daytrippers from Gozo and Malta, plus tourists who've come out of Victoria to make the most of the sun. This curving bay is lined with a long promenade, rammed full of restaurants, cafes and bars. Suitable for watersports, sandy lounging and even trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon on a grand tour of Gozo.

Food in Malta is the result of a culinary relationship between the numerous civilisations that have occupied the islands of Malta over the centuries and the. Malta has a uniquely eclectic mix of Mediterranean gastronomic elements that are available for you to enjoy at Victoria’s various dining establishments, including restaurants, cafes and bars.

Traditional Maltese food is based on the seasons and is rustic, with some of the staple dishes being hearty classics such as fish pie, bragioli (beef olives) kapunata (a Maltese take on ratatouille) and widow’s soup (a hearty soup with a small chunk of Gbejniet, sheep or goat’s cheese).

In Victoria you can enjoy a variety of freshly-caught seafood which is used in many Maltese dishes, with the most popular fishes being dott (stone fish), see spnotta (bass) and cerna (grouper).

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the sweet delicacies on offer here such as kannoli (crispy fried pastry with a ricotta cheese filling), ice cream and candied fruits.

In keeping with Mediterranean lifestyle, the Maltese approach is to enjoy life and have as much fun as possible. Nightlife in Malta is vibrant and busy throughout the year, as during the off-peak months with fewer festivals and events, there’s always plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs to visit.

Gozo’s nightlife is relatively sedate and sophisticated, with a number of top class restaurants and bars providing most of the area’s night time entertainment. La Grotta, Gozo’s clifftop nightclub, is situated just a 10 minute drive from Victoria and offers fantastic music and an intimate atmosphere.

For those that prefer their music classical, there are regular concerts held in Victoria's churches, giving you the prime opportunity to enjoy your favourite classical songs live in the stunning atmosphere of a baroque church.

Victoria is the perfect place for families to get away from the hectic pace of everyday life at home, giving you the opportunity to enjoy plenty of quality time together on your family holiday. Victoria’s beautiful weather and friendly atmosphere guarantee that you’ll enjoy a warm welcome when you first arrive, and you’ll have a good sense of a home away from home throughout your holiday.

Parents with small children can rest assured that their children are safe in the shallow, gently-shelving waters of the beaches around Victoria and Gozo, and there’s great facilities for water sports of all varieties including fishing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle-boarding. Many people visit Malta for the superb diving scene, which is famous throughout Europe. 

Another popular family area in the area around Victoria is Marsalforn, a popular resort for families with young children, thanks to the long promenade’s many child-friendly shops and restaurants.

Gozo’s natural beauty and intimate atmosphere offer a romantic atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for your next couples’ holiday. As you explore the scenic Victoria and its surroundings, you’ll quickly come to understand why Gozo means ‘joy’ in the Spanish Aragonese dialect (from those who took control of the island in 1282). Gozo has 300 days of sunshine each year on average, scenic surroundings and a rich heritage that make it easy to enjoy plenty of romantic experiences with your partner.

Whether you’re staying for a weekend break or for several weeks, Gozo’s relaxed pace of life and natural beauty are superb for helping you to destress and focus on your partner. The sunsets in Gozo are often remarkable and make the ideal setting for a romantic picnic with your partner. For some yummy pastries and homemade bread that’s perfect for outdoor meals, head to a local bakery and treat yourself to ftira (Gozitan pizza). 

Gozo’s wide range of aquatic activities is the main draw for active holidaymakers. Malta is known as the best place to dive in Europe thanks to the iconic Azure Window, which is popular with divers from across the globe. Unfortunately, the arch at the Azure Window suffered partial and then total collapses, the latest of which was in December 2016. While the arch itself has collapsed, the remains have luckily formed a sort of underwater playground for experienced divers.

On the northern coast you’ll find Ramla Bay, a popular beach location with beautiful golden sands and crystal clear waters. The coastline around Ramlay Bay is ideal for snorkelling, giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the underwater marine life.

Another popular destination for active holidaymakers is Qala, which offers a wide range of water sports including canoeing and kayaking, paddle-boarding and banana boating. There is a great appreciation of the outdoors in Victoria and Gozo so you’ll find plenty of outdoor sports to take part in such as tennis, football, volleyball and fitness groups to join.

Gozo’s culture has been strongly influenced by its long and rich history. Gozo has seen conquests by some of the most iconic civilisations throughout history such as the Romans, Turks and British Empire, resulting in a kind of melting pot of cultural elements from outside cultures, as well as its own.

There are three main areas in which Gozo’s culture is currently undergoing a period of significant expansion: art, theatre and fashion. Gozo has two main theatres, the Teatru Astra and the Teatru Aurora, where you can see live performances from actors, musicians and dancers every single week of the year.

In Gozo, the main crowd-pleasers are dance, opera and music, with culture lovers coming here from across Malta to enjoy performances by Malta’s foremost entertainers. Gozo has a vibrant art scene that continues to grow and blossom. You can see exhibitions of both classic and modern Maltese art and local Gozitan art both in travelling exhibitions that take place around the year in Gozo.

Another flourishing aspect of Gozo’s culture is fashion, making this an ideal place to browse clothing stores for some of Europe’s most fashion-forward items. When it comes to cultural attractions, Victoria’s citadella is the most impressive thanks to its range of architectural and religious elements. The Ggantija Temples close to Xaghra and the huge Ta Pinu Basilica are excellent historic attractions well worth a visit during your holiday in Victoria.