Gozo Guided Day Tour: Explore Historic Ggantija Temples and Scenic Victoria
3.8
282 Ratings
Ggantija
Immerse yourself in Gozo's rich history and breathtaking scenery on this guided day tour. Explore the UNESCO-listed Ġgantija Temples, stroll through the charming capital city of Victoria, and marvel at the stunning Xlendi Bay and Inland Sea. Don't miss this unforgettable adventure!
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ggantija Archaeological Park - We start our tour by visiting the megalithic temples of Ġgantija, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, this impressive archaeological site dates to c. 3600-2500 BC, along with Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples and Skorba Temples in Malta, the temples of Ġgantija are believed to be the second oldest free-standing monuments on Earth, second only to Göbekli Tepe in Turkey and predating Stonehenge in England, and the Pyramids of Egypt by approximately 1000 years! The etymology of “Ġgantija” is derived from the Maltese word for giant (“Ġgant”) because it was believed the site was built by a race of giants. This mythological idea makes sense considering that the temples are constructed from megaliths (massive limestone blocks) measuring more than five meters in length and weighing over 50 tons.
  • Victoria - After visiting the temples of Ġgantija we will proceed to visit Victoria, the delightful capital city of Gozo. Victoria is not just the geographic heart of Gozo; it is also the centre of everyday activity. It manages to combine the bustle of its market and shops with a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. It is a great place to watch the islanders go about their day, especially when the main market square comes to life.
  • The Citadel - At the heart of the city lies another majestic site; the medieval fortress known locally as “Iċ-Ċittadella” (The Citadel), with its distinctive skyline and imposing military architecture, this ancient, fortified structure stands out as Gozo’s major landmark, a beacon visible from all over the island.

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and the site now occupied by The Citadel is believed to have been the acropolis of the Punic-Roman city of Gaulos or Glauconis Civitas. During the medieval period, the acropolis was converted into a castle which served as a refuge for Gozo’s population. A suburb began to develop outside its walls by the 15th century, and this area now forms the historic core of Victoria.

  • Xlendi Bay - Our next visit is the delightful sea inlet known as Xlendi Bay, located at the end of a deep, lush ravine, which was once a riverbed and surrounded by picturesque steep cliffs, the bay is now on the must-visit list of most day-trippers to the Island. Xlendi’s small but lively promenade is busy at all times of the day, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and a handful of souvenir shops. Though seemingly bursting with activity during summer, Xlendi bay remains a refreshingly quiet place even at the height of the season.
  • Dwejra Bay - Our last stop is at Dwejra, situated on the western shore of the island of Gozo this area is a geological and ecological haven. All the various surroundings are a blend of geology, landscape, fauna, habitats, shoreline, seascapes, archaeology, flora, and history, which makes a visit to this site an experience to remember.

Dwejra is also known for its Inland Sea, a small bay surrounded by high cliffs and connected by an impressive 65-metre-long natural tunnel which opens out into the open sea, a truly fascinating natural formation which evokes awe and leaves a striking impression. Weather permitting you will have the opportunity to take a short boat trip through the narrow tunnel and its surrounding area, this trip is available at a small fee payable on location (the boat trip is not included in your package price).

  • Island of Gozo - A tourist lunch including a glass of wine is included during one of our stops.
What's Included
  • Convenient hotel pick-up & drop-off
  • Comfortable air-conditioned transport
  • Enjoy a tourist lunch with a glass of wine
  • Included roundtrip ferry tickets
  • Admission to all itinerary sites
  • Guidance from a licensed tour guide
What's Not Included
  • The optional boat trip at Dwejra Bay (to be paid on location), the cost is approx. €6 p/person
  • Any extra drinks consumed during lunch
  • Tips (optional)
Additional Information

Discover the allure of Gozo, a richly historic island, during this comprehensive day trip. Experience the striking heritage of Gozo, explore key sites, and uncover hidden treasures.

We begin after a brief twenty-minute ferry journey. Our first stop is the mysterious Ġgantija temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

Next, we head to Victoria, Gozo’s bustling capital city. It’s a fantastic location to observe the local lifestyle, particularly when the central marketplace is bustling with activity.

The city is crowned by “Iċ-Ċittadella” (The Citadel) in its central location. Known for its unique skyline and impressive military construction, this ancient, fortified edifice is Gozo’s predominant landmark.

We culminate our tour by visiting Xlendi Bay and the Inland Sea in Dwejra, each framed by dramatic steep cliffs.

  • The time shown on the website or on your ticket is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your Hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time.
  • The tour will be guided in the language you have booked, however please note that at times, depending on operational circumstances, the commentary might be provided by a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of 2 languages).
  • The provider reserves the right to change the order of the visits without any prior notice.
  • The boat trip at Dwejra Bay is not included in the price of your package; the boat trip is optional (to be paid on location) and can only be done subject to favourable weather conditions, the cost is approximately €6 per person.
  • The tour in Polish will be done with either a Polish-speaking guide or with an English-speaking guide together with a native Polish host acting as a translator.
  • Not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments
Location
Ggantija Archaeological Park
John Otto Bayer Street, Xagħra
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.8
(282 Ratings)
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June_h
May 13, 2024
Excellent day trip and guide and driver. It - We were very well looked after by all concerned . Tessie was a well informed and engaging guide. Our bus driver Michael was excellent. The sites visited were great . Lunch was very nice. All in all a great way to visit Gozo. .
Review provided by Viator
Linda_h
Apr 21, 2024
Gozo Historical Tour was fabulous! - Our guide Rita was exceptional. Knowledgeable and passionate about Goza history. I would definitely highly recommend her.
Review provided by Viator
Abby_l
May 13, 2024
Good, but not great - The tour was well organised, picked us up from our hotel and coaches and ferries were arranged perfectly. However, our tour guide did not seem to know a lot of information and was often stumbling over words and repeating things so it seemed unrehearsed. She would point out things and say what they were but not really give any context or history behind the place or thing. She would point things out and spell them and that’s about it. It was a good overview of Gozo but you are a bit rushed at each stop, so you might want to try to come back to learn more if you’re not the kind of person that just wants to check it off a list. The regular lunch option was good, but the vegetarian option was no good. It is a much older crowd as well that goes on the tour, if that matters to you.
Review provided by Viator
Janet_b
Apr 29, 2024
Gozo in a day - My friends and I (a group of 9) chose this tour in order to see the Ggantija Temples, the citadel in Victoria and Dwejra Bay easily in one day and to learn something about them. We were disappointed in certain aspects of it. - it was a very large group (40+ people) and hard for our leader to gather everyone together and to speak so everyone could hear. Most of the time she spoke before the whole group had assembled and had very little rapport with the group - there was no outline of the plan for the day at the outset so we were unsure what was coming next. - She had no maps or photos to give out or show us in support of what she told us - the first stop was Dwejra and, although it was too windy for boat trips, we had only a 20 minute stop there - far too short a time to see the Inland Sea, the cliff formations and read the information about the geology, flora and fauna. The tour details said a 45 minute stop. - the Ggantija stop was rather stressful with our guide giving brief details at several stops in the museum but then urging us to move along without giving us time to read and appreciate the rather better organised information in the displays. - the tour ended in Victoria where we had, if anything, too much time, necessary because the coach had to do a school pick-up while we looked around. In fact it seemed as if the order of the day had been determined by this. - in retrospect we might have been better to hire our own cars and drivers for the day and done our own thing. At the end of the day, we all felt very fed up of being in a large group following a pink umbrella for a lot of the time and for such a large group it was quite an expensive trip.
Review provided by Viator
Marianne_s
Apr 27, 2024
Disorganized and rushed - This tour was disorganized. There were too many stops and not enough time at each site. Difficult to hear guide at sites.
Review provided by Viator
Alexandra_l
Apr 19, 2024
Fine - Gozo is beautiful, and the citadel in victoria and the views are spectacular, but honestly unless you need the guide, or want the comfort and safety of a guided excursion, you could probably do it and see more by yourself. The coach was 20 mins late picking us up, the guide on the bus explained exactly once what was going on, it was absolute chaos at the ferry Terminal trying to find and stay with you group as you're put into them based on your language. When you get to Gozo, you're herded into another coach which takes you to the temple where you meet back up with several of the groups from the ferry to be herded quickly round the museum and unless you are next to the guide hear absolutely nothing and no time to read. The temples are great when you walk round them and some spectacular views, but you don't have very long. You then get driven to the cliffs, there was no explanation that the optional boat ride wasn't available (although considering how windy it was it was fairly obvious), and have 15 mins to rush around along with other groups to get your photos before you're rushed again to lunch. Which honestly was fine. They were lovely at the restaurant and I've definitely eaten worse, but also this is the longest you stay anywhere. Then you're rushed back to victoria/Rabat where there's an actual tour for the first time, and you get to see the town centre, although you have 20 mins of free time which is just about enough time to visit the cathedral at your own expense if you want to. Then it's back on the ferry for a confusing (although absolutely less chaotic) bus transfer back. Ultimately, I could have got the buss from st Julian's to the ferry Terminal, the ferry myself and down the hop on hop off bus or a tour of Gozo myself. I might not have seen the cliffs or had lunch but I would have got to see more instead of just hurrying by it.
Review provided by Viator
Cathandrews82
Mar 21, 2024
Pricey for what you get - The group size for this tour was too big. It was disorganised at the start on arrival at the ferry port. During the day it was difficult to hear the information the guide was giving us due to the group size. Lunch was very basic food. We saw the Ggantija Temples, Dwejra Bay (paying for the little boat trip is worth it in my opinion) & the Citadel of Victoria.
Review provided by Viator
Herb_s
Apr 28, 2024
Visiting Gozo - We enjoyed Visiting Vittoriosa with the Citadel. , and the Gigantija temple. We very much resented being in a group of 50 people to visit the temple museum, and it was impossible to hear the guide. The luncheon was very well organized , but we were a bit surprised to have to pay for water.
Review provided by Viator
Samanthaharbison
May 7, 2024
If you like feeling like cattle all day, then this tour is for you. - I wish I knew I'd be on this tour with 45 other people. It was way too many for a tour, not to mention every tour group was like this. Im extremely disappointed. They need to make the tours with smaller groups otherwise it is not worth it. I couldnt hear our guide most of the time. Everywhere was extremely crowded and not organised. I do not recommend. If you like feeling like cattle all day, then this tour is for you. Our tour guide was lovely and was extremely knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the time with her when we could hear her.
Review provided by Viator
Rosanne_s
Mar 29, 2024
Maybe a waste of time - It was extremely long in organizing people into their appropriate guided tour groups according to language. This meant a later ferry and that we had little time to spend on the actual sites of the tour. We did not have time to spend in the Cathedral and apparently, although advertised as cost included, it was not. I reached out to Viator with my displeasure and expected compensation for the cost of some of the tour, and did not receive any response. This was expensive for what tiem we spent on the sites.This is not how a business should be run,
Review provided by Viator
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June 2024
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