Far from the crowded beaches of Italy, Spain or Greece, there are still a few little paradises hidden in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Looking for a Mediterranean getaway away from the crowds while enjoying near-constant sunshine? While Spain, Italy and Greece continue to dominate vacation choices for their expansive beaches, excellent gastronomy and sunny weather, this more secret destination located just under the boot of Italy in the heart of the Mediterranean , offers a much less busy alternative.
In spring, it mainly guarantees mildness with little variation in temperatures which stabilize between 15 degrees in the morning and 25 degrees in the hottest hours. The small showers are still there but the sun is flooding the coastline more and more. This little, still little-known paradise is Gozo, the 2nd largest island in the Malta archipelago. Far from the hustle and bustle of the capital Valletta, Gozo promises sun and calm. To get to Gozo, it is necessary to take the Gozo ferry which departs from Ċirkewwa, the northernmost point of Malta, to the port of Mgarr which provides access to Gozo and its treasures.
If 500,000 tourists visit it each year, or 4 to 5 times less than on the main island of Malta, it is mainly locals who come to escape the capital and reach its beaches. Gozo also offers multiple activities, including cultural activities around the Citadel, an impressive fortified refuge which offers a superb view of the city of Ir-Rabat (also called Victoria) below. The garden of the nature museum and the nearby small streets are also very popular places for walks.
Leaving Ir-Rabat, the salt marshes and beaches of Gozo are stops not to be missed, like the temples of Ggantija, which date from the megalithic period, almost 7,000 years ago. The stone blocks weigh several tons and leave a mystery as to how they could have been assembled in this way. Do you prefer beaches? Ramla Bay offers an astonishing landscape of red sand, San Blas offers turquoise waters to its rare visitors while the small seaside resort of Marsalforn will appeal more to families. Gozo is still little visited but, with so many attractions, this should not last very long. All the more reason to plan a getaway to this small island nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean.
