Gozo measures about 14 kilometres by 7. You can ride around the whole island in a day, cross it in an hour, and reach a swim from anywhere in twenty minutes. The roads between villages are quiet outside the main artery to Victoria, the views arrive constantly, and the hills, which used to be the catch, stop being a problem the moment you add a motor. That is why we are launching eBike rental and tours in Gozo, and why these five routes are the ones we will hand to every rider.
Distances are approximate loops from Victoria, the capital in the centre of the island. Every route includes a swim.
1. Victoria to Dwejra and the Inland Sea (about 18 km)
Head west out of Victoria through Għarb, past the basilica of Ta’ Pinu standing alone in the fields, and on through San Lawrenz to the cliffs at Dwejra. The road drops steeply to the Inland Sea, a lagoon linked to the open sea by a tunnel through the rock. Swim, take a boat through the tunnel if the water is calm, then climb back out, which is the moment you will be glad you chose an eBike. Return via Għasri for a different set of lanes. Read more in our Dwejra guide.
2. The north coast: Marsalforn, the salt pans and Wied il-Għasri (about 22 km)
The flattest ride on the island and the most scenic. Drop from Victoria to Marsalforn, then follow the coast road west past the Xwejni salt pans, a chequerboard of rock pools worked since Roman times. Continue to the top of the Wied il-Għasri gorge, walk down the steps for the best swim in Gozo, then climb inland through Għasri and Żebbuġ back to Victoria. Late afternoon is ideal: the salt pans glow and the road is in shade. Our Marsalforn and salt pans guide has the details.
3. Xagħra, Ġgantija and Ramla Bay (about 14 km)
Short but full. Ride east to Xagħra on the plateau, visit the Ġgantija Temples, the oldest free-standing structures in Malta, then take the long descent to Ramla Bay and its red sand. The climb back up to Xagħra is the steepest on this list. On an eBike it is five minutes. Reward yourself with a ftira in the village square.
4. The south loop: Xlendi, Sannat and the Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs (about 26 km)
South-west from Victoria to Fontana and down to Xlendi Bay for a swim off the rocks, then back up and along the quiet lanes to Sannat and the Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs, the highest on the island. The cliff-top track is rideable on a hybrid or eMTB and the view over the channel to Malta is enormous. Continue through Munxar and back to Victoria.
5. Round the island in a day (about 35 km)
Stitch the best of the above together: Victoria to Dwejra, up the west coast lanes to the salt pans, along the north coast to Marsalforn, up to Xagħra and down to Ramla, then back through Nadur and Victoria. Guided, this is a full day with three swims, a long lunch and the best viewpoints on the island. Unguided, start early and carry water.
Why an eBike rather than a regular bike?
Gozo is a plateau island: the villages sit on top and the sea sits at the bottom, so every swim is followed by a climb of 100 metres or more. On a normal bike that limits you to one or two bays a day and a lot of walking. On an eBike the island opens up completely. You still pedal, you still feel the wind, and you arrive at the next village without needing a shower.
Practical notes
- Traffic. The main roads into Victoria are busy at commuter times. Our routes use the lanes wherever possible.
- Heat. From June to September ride early and late, and swim in between.
- Wind. A strong north-westerly makes the north coast hard work. Ride the south loop instead.
- Ferries. Bicycles travel on the Ċirkewwa car ferry. See our ferry guide.
- eBikes. Guided tours and self-ride hire are launching soon, with helmet, lock and mapped routes included. Sign up and get 15% off your first booking of 3 days or more.
