Marsalforn Holidays
Marsalforn Holidays – Relaxed island sun and sea.
Marsalforn is Gozo’s largest and liveliest resort – which means it has a few streets of bars, restaurants and shops around its handful of hotel and self-catering accommodation. Once a fishing village, it has become the place for Gozo seaside holidays for both Maltese and foreign tourists of all ages.
The little town is ranged around a protected bay of perfectly clear blue water, great for swimming, snorkelling and diving. There is a narrow beach of coarse yellow sand, but many people prefer to laze on the rocks that run along the side of the bay with steps for getting into and out of the water.
Marsalforn is home to several of Gozo’s longest-established dive companies and Gozo has some of the best diving in Europe. There are great boat trips too – circumnavigating Gozo and crossing to Malta’s favourite swimming spot on the tiny neighbouring island of Comino.
When to go
Marsalforn comes alive in summer when Maltese and visitors alike spread themselves over the rocks to enjoy the sun and sea, before moving into the bars and restaurants for the evening. It is particularly busy at weekends when Maltese come over from the main island to soak up the rays and chill out. After mid-September Marsalforn is emptier and very much cheaper and stays that way until the following June or July.
The weather in Marsalforn
Hot sun and warm calm seas are more or less guaranteed in July and August with daytime temperatures regularly reaching 30ºC and negligible rain. The weather remains hot and the sea warm well into October. Spring is fresher and drier than the autumn. Even winter can be sunny and pleasant with daytime highs in January averaging 15ºC with some five hours a day of sunshine
Getting the best deal
For bargain Marsalforn holidays look outside the peak summer months and the Maltese school holidays (which in summer run until mid-September). Winter is very much cheaper than summer and there are great savings to be made in spring and autumn too. Early and late booking tend to pick up the best prices, so take a look at our best deals here, or try these late offers.
Airport and transport need to know
To get to Marsalforn, you fly into Malta International Airport just three hours from the UK. There are frequent flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, Leeds-Bradford, Edinburgh and East Midlands Airport.
From Malta airport it is under an hour’s drive to the Gozo Ferry at Cirkewwa. Taxi fares from the airport are regulated and this trip should cost €32 (about £25). Agree this with your driver before getting in. Much cheaper is the express bus costing €2.20 (under £2) and taking a bit over an hour.
The Gozo Ferry runs every forty-five minutes and takes 25 minutes to make the pleasant crossing to Gozo. The return fare is just €4.65 (under £4). and you arrive at Gozo’s Mgarr port.
Gozo has a reasonable bus service with a two-hour ticket costing €2.20 (under £2) but routes centre on the island’s capital Victoria so you often have to change there, as you do to get from Mgarr to Marsalforn. You may find it more convenient to order a taxi or hire a car. Agree all charges before travelling.
Best beaches in Marsalforn
Gozo is rich in swimming spots – from gorgeous red sandy beaches to quiet rocky inlets and a couple of little seaside resorts – all frequented by locals and visitors alike. Most are pleasantly undeveloped, some positively secluded; all have inviting clear blue waters ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving. Several of the best are along the North coast not far from Marsalforn.
Just one bay along from Marsalforn, is Gozo’s favourite beach, the lovely Ramla Bay, a broad sweep of red sand, backed by protected dunes. It is perfect for families as well as adults of all ages and, although it gets crowded in summer, there is usually room to comfortably set out your sunbed. Hidden amongst the trees are two large open-air cafes and overlooking the bay is Calypso’s Cave – supposed to be where Homer’s Odysseus was held spellbound for seven years. You can see why he mightn’t have wanted to leave this place.
If you prefer your beach with more facilities, stay in Marsalforn. It may not have the best sand, but you can eat and drink right on the seafront and there is plenty of choice of takeaways too. This is where the action is in terms of seafront bars and restaurants as well as watersports.
For the exact opposite, getting right away from the crowds, head for the “mini-Ramla” that is San Blas. Just one bay along from Ramla Beach (two from Marsalforn), this secluded red-sandy bay is kept quiet by the very steep approach path. Not for the faint hearted, but the reward is a perfect beach that is never too busy. There is a small waterside snack bar open in summer.
