Ġgantija

Temple Ancient megalithic temples on Gozo, extremely early structures

At Xagħra on Gozo, Ġgantija comprises two Neolithic temple structures among the oldest free-standing stone buildings, open for guided visits and on-site interpretation.

Main image

Ġgantija is a Neolithic megalithic temple complex on the island of Gozo in Malta, notable as one of the oldest free-standing stone buildings in the world and dated to the Neolithic period (roughly 3600-2500 BCE).

Built in the Neolithic by prehistoric farming communities, the temples were ceremonial or ritual sites rather than domestic buildings. The structures were excavated and studied from the 19th century onward and have been consolidated and protected for public access and research.

Located on northern Gozo near the village of Xagħra, the site sits on a low ridge within a largely rural landscape of fields and low limestone outcrops.

  • Visiting tip: Open year-round with varying seasonal hours; mornings and late afternoons are generally quieter than midday.
  • UNESCO status: Included on the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Ġgantija Temples group for their outstanding prehistoric architecture.

What to See #

  • East and West Temples: Two adjacent Neolithic temple structures arranged on a single site - an eastern and a western temple - built of large local limestone blocks and aligned on a common courtyard plan.
  • Site displays: Archaeological displays and a small on-site information area present finds and reconstructions explaining ritual layouts and construction techniques from the Neolithic period.
Ġgantija
Xagħra, Gozo, Malta
36.0473, 14.2691
Daily 9:00am-5:00pm (seasonal variations; check Heritage Malta)
Heritage Malta ticket approx. €6-€10; discounts for residents/children

How to Get to Ġgantija #

Ġgantija is a short bus or taxi ride from Mġarr harbour (Gozo). From Victoria/Rabat, take bus 301 or local buses toward Xagħra; the site is within walking distance from the Xagħra square.

Tips for Visiting Ġgantija #

  • Get to Ġgantija right at opening - the interior becomes very quiet after the early surge of coach tours.
  • Look for the vertically set megaliths that suggest a deliberately enclosed sanctuary rather than a wide open temple court.
  • Ask at the site desk for the infographic showing the temple's earliest excavations (it helps orient the complex phasing).

Best Time to Visit Ġgantija #

Visit in spring or early autumn for comfortable weather and clearer opportunities for quiet viewing.

Spring
March-May · 12-22°C
Pleasant walking weather, wildflowers on the surrounding fields.
Autumn
September-October · 18-26°C
Fewer day-trippers and comfortable daylight.

Weather & Climate near Ġgantija #

Climate

Ġgantija's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 10°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (517 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 48 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 15°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.

82 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain.

92 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 23°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 27°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.5h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
14.2h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
14° 20°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
11° 17°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

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