Marsalforn

Once a small fishing village and now Gozo's main tourist centre, Marsalforn has retained a traditional charm and relaxed pace of life. Nestled within a valley, bounded by hills and at the edge of a quiet cove, the village enjoys a serene location on Gozo's unspoilt northwestern coastline.

When to go

Weather in Marsalforn is similar to all of Malta and Gozo. The warmest summer months are July to September with temperatures reaching 30℃. Summer is a popular time to visit Gozo, firstly because of the warm weather and also because of the fiestas and celebrations that take place during this time. Spring is another great time to visit and May and June tend to be the most popular months to visit.

If you want a quieter and cooler holiday, then September and October are ideal. With the rainy season falling in winter (December and January), the winter season is also a cool time of the year with temperatures averaging at 10℃.

Top Attractions

The Salt Pans that have been carved into the landscape simply have to be one of the most popular places to visit in Marsalforn. Salt purchased from a small stall nearby makes for an excellent souvenir from Marsalforn.

While it is not quite Christ the Redeemer of Rio, Marsalforn has its own version, initially erected in the 1900s, that is a must-see. Another top visit is The Ta Mena Estate, an agro-tourism estate that is home to a fruit garden, as well as olive and orange groves. It has over ten hectares of vineyards, all of which are available for tours.

Beaches

Marsalforn Bay is the main beach in the Marsalforn area. It is a delightful little sandy beach that offers some good sunbathing opportunities and nearby smooth rock ledges also allow easy access to the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. The harbour connects at one side of the bay where Maltese fishermen keep their colourful boats.

A short hike along the coastline brings you to Wied il-Ghasri, a small shingle beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling when the water is calm. Xwieni Bay is another sandy beach near Marsalforn good for swimming with small food and drinks bars for refreshments.

Dining

An assortment of restaurants, bars and shops line the seafront promenade which stretches around the bay and makes it a quaint, yet vibrant little resort. There are many different types of foods to try including pizza, Chinese, Mediterranean, European and Italian.

Piutrentanove, Murella and Pizza Stop are the top choices for pizza, while Lantern Bar and Horizon are great for a variety of choices.

In the quieter Qbajjar Bay, you’ll find the Qbajjar restaurant, a seafood restaurant popular with locals, with a picturesque ocean view. Another must-visit restaurant is a 200-year-old converted farmhouse Ta Frenc, serving traditional Maltese dishes along with French and Italian, all made with fresh and local ingredients.

Entertainment

There are a number of restaurants and bars along the seafront that offer a relaxed night out where you can enjoy a tasty meal and a few drinks. Restaurants tend to stay open later here, and tourists are welcome to get involved with the locals singing karaoke. A perfect Marsalforn evening spot is the restaurant Piutrentanove. It’s home to a small bar on the waterfront and is most lively in summer months. Enjoy Pizza here, followed by a few beverages!

Culture

Gotizan culture is apparent in the theatre, arts and fashion, and is also celebrated during summer fiestas and Carnival Week, which take place during the second week in February.

Lace making and L-għana (singing with musical accompaniment) are prominent cultural practices.

As in all of Malta, there are many churches and places of worship to visit in Marsalforn as it is a traditionally Catholic country.

St Paul’s Church is dedicated to St Paul who was shipwrecked in Malta. The foundations for the church were laid in 1730 but the church as been built on and enlarged several times. The feast of St Paul is celebrated on 10th February.

Adventure and Sports

Marsalforn is an area well known as a diving hot-spot. Diving centres include: Bubbles Dive Centre, Gozo Aqua Sports, Scuba Kings Dive Centre and Atlantis Diving Centre.

Boat trips around Gozo and Comino are also available for those looking for a bit of adventure.

Xerri’s Grotto is a cave discovered in 1924, now hidden beneath an ordinary house. The cave is available to tour around (if you feel comfortable going underground!). Ninu’s Cave is another cave nearby, discovered in 1888 while digging under a house.

Getting around

Cars, bicycles and boats are all available for hire all around Gozo for you to explore on your own. But, public transport and taxis are also available and are inexpensive to use.