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Mġarr Travel Guide

Town

A low-lying harbour and sleepy lanes define Mġarr on Gozo; travelers land by ferry, rent scooters to reach Ramla Bay and Ġgantija, and linger at farm stalls for honey and local gbejna cheese.

Mġarr Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsĠgantijaMegalithic Temples of MaltaGozoCominoCominottoDwejra TowerCittadellaPopeye VillageSaint Agatha's TowerTa' PinuSaint Mary's TowerMġarr

Mġarr essentials

Country: Malta
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Maltese

Where to Go in Mġarr

Sight Ġgantija ĠgantijaAncient megalithic temples on Gozo, extremely early structures Sight Għar Dalam Għar DalamPrehistoric cave in Malta with ancient animal remains Sight St. Paul's Cathedral St. Paul's CathedralMdina cathedral housing baroque art and historic relics Island Gozo GozoSmaller Maltese island with rural landscapes and megaliths Island Comino CominoTiny Maltese island famed for the Blue Lagoon Island Malta MaltaMain Maltese island housing Valletta and historical sites History Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Ħal Saflieni HypogeumUnderground Neolithic burial chamber in Malta, exceptionally preserved History Mnajdra MnajdraNeolithic megalithic temple complex on the southern coast History Ħaġar Qim Ħaġar QimNeolithic megalithic temple complex near Qrendi Nature Filfla FilflaSmall uninhabited rocky islet south of Malta Nature Ta' Qali Ta' QaliLarge public park with crafts village and national stadium Nature Popeye Village Popeye VillageFormer film set in Malta converted to village attraction
Neighbourhoods

Mġarr, Gozo at a Glance

Local Time
12:58 AM
GMT+1
Population
2,868

Costs: Daily tourist budget: $60-110 - small port town with budget guesthouses and seafood eateries.

Safety: Very safe island port town - low crime and relaxed atmosphere, safe both day and night.

Best Time: Best time: April-October - ideal for ferry travel to Gozo, swimming, and hill walks.

Mġarr Harbour is the main ferry and vehicle entry point to Gozo from Malta.

Why Visit Mġarr, Gozo?

On Gozo’s south coast, Mġarr is known for its working harbour and quiet fishing lanes that lead to small cafés and boat trips. Local specialties such as Gozitan ftira and gbejna cheese appear in village bakeries and family tables. Ramla Bay is a short drive away, while diving sites and countryside walks highlight the island’s rural charms. Weekly village festas offer colorful processions and band music.

Best Things to Do in Mġarr, Gozo

Mġarr, Gozo Bucket List

Don't Miss

Mġarr Harbour - Arrive at Mġarr Harbour and watch fishing boats, ferries and Gozo’s coastal activity.

Mġarr ix-Xini bay - Swim at Mġarr ix-Xini, a sheltered bay with clear water and cliffside walks.

Ta’ Pinu Basilica (Gozo) - Visit nearby Ta’ Pinu Basilica, a pilgrimage church with quiet gardens and chapels.

Hidden Gems

Xlendi Bay coastal walk - Walk the coastal trail to Xlendi Bay for cliffs, cafes and tranquil swimming coves.

Ggantija Temples (nearby) - See the Ggantija megalithic temples, among the world’s oldest freestanding structures.

Local fishing harbours - Explore small fishing harbours near Mġarr for fresh seafood stalls and quiet sea views.

Day Trips

Victoria (Rabat, Gozo) and the Citadel - Take a short trip to Victoria to explore the Citadel, markets and museums.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon - Catch a boat to Comino’s Blue Lagoon for turquoise waters, snorkeling and sunbathing.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Mġarr, Gozo

Mġarr (Gozo) is at its best in late spring and early autumn when seas are calm and hiking is pleasant. Summer brings peak beach crowds and high temperatures; winters remain mild but wetter.

Winter

November - March12 to 18°C (54 to 64°F)

Mild, rainy winters suit cultural visits and off-season pricing; some sea days remain possible but expect unsettled weather and fewer sunbathing opportunities.

Spring & Autumn

April - May & October17 to 24°C (63 to 75°F)

Warm, breezy and pleasant - perfect for swimming, exploring limestone villages and walking coastal promenades without the peak summer crowds or intense heat.

Summer

June - September24 to 33°C (75 to 91°F)

Hot, very dry summers filled with beach days, late sunsets and packed waterfronts - expect high humidity, crowded popular spots, and lively nightlife into the small hours.

Climate

Mġarr'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
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 10° - 16° 13° 83 mm partly cloudy 74% 4.3 m/s 0.4 low 9.8h
February Very Good 10° - 16° 13° 58 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.5 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.7h
March Very Good 10° - 17° 13° 38 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.2 m/s 1.0 moderate 11.8h
April Excellent 12° - 18° 15° 22 mm some cloud 83% 4.1 m/s 1.4 high 13.0h
May Ideal 15° - 22° 19° 7 mm some cloud 82% 4.0 m/s 1.9 very high 14.0h
June Ideal 19° - 26° 23° 3 mm mostly sunny 80% 3.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 14.5h
July Ideal 21° - 29° 25° 0 mm clear 77% 3.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.2h
August Ideal 22° - 30° 26° 5 mm clear 75% 3.2 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.4h
September Ideal 21° - 27° 24° 38 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.3 m/s 1.4 high 12.3h
October Excellent 18° - 24° 21° 81 mm partly cloudy 76% 3.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.1h
November Very Good 15° - 20° 17° 82 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.5 m/s 0.5 low 10.1h
December Good 12° - 17° 14° 100 mm partly cloudy 73% 4.3 m/s 0.3 low 9.6h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Mġarr, Gozo

Mġarr is the main ferry port for Gozo; visitors arrive by flying into Malta (MLA) then transferring north to Cirkewwa and taking the Gozo Channel ferry to Mġarr. There are no trains on Malta or Gozo-buses and taxis are the primary public options on both islands.

By Air

Malta International Airport (MLA): To get to Mġarr (Gozo) first reach Malta’s main island by landing at MLA. From the airport take a bus or taxi to Cirkewwa ferry terminal (northern tip of Malta) - the trip is typically 45-60 minutes by public bus and around 35-45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. From Cirkewwa board the Gozo Channel ferry to Mġarr, Gozo (see below).

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no train system on Malta or Gozo.

Bus: Public buses link Malta Airport and Valletta with the Cirkewwa ferry terminal; expect roughly 45-60 minutes by bus from the airport to Cirkewwa. Once in Gozo, local buses run from Mġarr ferry terminal to other Gozo towns-journeys are short (typically 15-30 minutes) and bus fares on Gozo are in line with Malta Public Transport pricing.

How to Get Around Mġarr, Gozo

Getting to Gozo requires a ferry from Cirkewwa to Mġarr; public buses link the ferry terminal with the rest of Gozo. For flexibility, especially with luggage or remote sites, use taxis or hire a car on arrival.

  • Ferry (Gozo Channel) (Free (foot); €4-€5 (vehicles)) - The Gozo Channel ferry runs between Cirkewwa (Malta) and Mġarr (Gozo). Foot passengers currently travel free and vehicle fares apply (roughly €4-€5 one‑way for a car); crossing time is about 25 minutes and ferries run frequently throughout the day year‑round.
  • Bus (Tallinja / Gozo buses) (€2 (approx.)) - Buses connect Mġarr with Victoria (Rabat) and other Gozo villages; Malta Public Transport operates routes that include the ferry terminal. Expect short transit times on Gozo (generally 10-30 minutes depending on destination) and single fares aligned with the Tallinja pricing system (€2 on Malta main network - check Gozo bus details locally).
  • Taxi / Local transfer (€6-€25) - Taxis and private transfers meet ferries at Mġarr and are useful if you have luggage or are arriving late. On‑island fares are modest but higher than bus prices; agree a fare or use the island’s licensed taxis.
  • Car hire (€25-€60/day) - If you plan to explore Gozo’s countryside and more remote sites, hire a car on Gozo; rentals can be picked up near the Mġarr terminal. Expect rates from around €25-€50/day depending on season and vehicle type.
  • Walking - Many Gozo towns, including Mġarr’s nearby villages and the capital Victoria, are compact and pleasant to explore on foot once you’ve arrived by bus or car.

Where to Stay in Mġarr, Gozo

Budget

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Eat & Drink

Where to Eat in Mġarr, Gozo

Gozo Specialties

Mġarr and Gozo showcase island-grown produce, local cheeses and seafood in relaxed village restaurants.

  • Ta’ Frenc - Well-regarded Gozo fine-dining restaurant.
  • Ta’ Rikardu (Victoria) - Traditional Gozo cooking in the citadel.

Cafés & Harbour Bites

Small cafés and harbourfront spots serve light bites, fresh fish and Maltese pastries.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Mġarr, Gozo’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional
Pizza
Mediterranean
Italian
Burger
Seafood
Indian
Asian
Chicken
Chinese
Fish
Local
Pasta
Breakfast
Cake
Sushi
Japanese
Thai
Kebab
Ramen

Nightlife in Mġarr, Gozo

Nightlife is very limited - a few local bars and restaurants only. Evenings are quiet and best suited to relaxed dining rather than late-night entertainment.

Shopping in Mġarr, Gozo

Shopping in Mġarr is minimal - small grocery shops, a few local vendors and services for residents and visitors. For larger shopping needs, head to Victoria (Rabat) in Gozo.