Xagħra Travel Guide
City Gozo town with ancient Ġgantija megalithic temples
Perched on Gozo’s eastern ridge, Xagħra draws visitors to the neolithic Ġgantija temples, the red-sand Ramla Bay and limestone crevices. Walk village lanes, taste local bakeries, and scan the horizon from Xagħra Hill for ferry traffic and coastal cliffs.
Why Visit Xagħra? #
On Gozo’s northern plateau, Xagħra draws visitors with ancient monuments and coastal escapes. The Ġgantija megalithic temples offer one of the island’s oldest archaeological sites, while nearby Ramla Bay provides a red-sand beach and hidden coves. Local festas, artisan bakeries and plates of soppa tal-armla or gbejna give a strong sense of Gozitan food culture, and short hikes across the plateau reveal pastoral views and traditional farmhouses.
Best Things to Do in Xagħra
All Attractions ›
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Xagħra Bucket List
- Ġgantija Temples - Prehistoric megalithic temple complex dating to the Neolithic era and UNESCO site.
- Ramla Bay - Expansive sandy beach with clear water and nearby viewpoints over the bay.
- Xagħra Folkloric Museum - Small museum detailing local traditions, crafts and village history in Xagħra.
- Calypso Cave - Legend-steeped cave above Ramla Valley linked to island myths and sea vistas.
- Salt pans at Marsalforn - Coastal salt-harvesting terraces and tranquil shoreline walks popular with photographers.
- Local artisan shops - Workshops selling pottery, lace and Gozo crafts found around the village centre.
- Dwejra and Inland Sea - West Gozo coastal area with dramatic sea channels, diving and boat trips.
- Victoria (Gozo Citadel) - Historic fortified capital with museums, viewpoints and narrow streets a short drive away.
Best Time to Visit Xagħra #
Xagħra on Gozo is at its best in spring or autumn for warm, calm weather and fewer visitors - ideal for temples and coastal walks. Summers are hot and busy; winters are mild.
Best Time to Visit Xagħra #
Xagħra'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 (512 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Xagħra
Xagħra is on Gozo and reached by Malta International Airport (MLA) plus the Gozo ferry to Mġarr; total travel time from the airport to Xagħra is usually around 1.5-2 hours. Once on Gozo, local buses, taxis and rental cars are available.
Malta International Airport (MLA): Reach Xagħra by flying into Malta International Airport (MLA) and then travelling to Ċirkewwa for the Gozo ferry. From MLA the road transfer to Ċirkewwa is roughly 30-40 minutes, then the Gozo ferry to Mġarr takes about 20-25 minutes. From Mġarr it’s a 10-20 minute drive or bus ride to Xagħra.
(No airport on Gozo): All scheduled flights use MLA; Gozo is reached by ferry or helicopter charter services.
Bus + Ferry: Use Malta’s bus network from MLA to Ċirkewwa, take the Gozo Channel ferry to Mġarr (20-25 minutes), then catch Gozo’s local buses or a taxi to Xagħra (10-20 minutes). Buses on Gozo are frequent between Mġarr and Victoria (Rabat), from where Xagħra is a short connection.
Taxi / Private transfer: Private taxis from the airport to Xagħra (via the ferry) and door‑to‑door transfers are widely available and simplify the trip, with total travel time typically 1.5-2 hours including waiting time.
How to Get Around Xagħra #
Xagħra is compact and easy to explore on foot; the main sights, cafés and bus stops are within walking distance. Public buses run regularly to Victoria (Rabat) and other parts of Gozo. Taxis and bike rentals are available for reaching coastal spots and remote viewpoints. The Ggantija temples are a short walk from the village core and are accessible by bus.
Where to Stay in Xagħra #
- Xagħra budget guesthouses (booking) - Small pensions and B&Bs.
- Victoria (Gozo) budget stays (booking) - More selection a short bus ride away.
- Ta' Cenc Hotel & Spa (Sannat) - Resort option near Xagħra.
- Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz - Full-service resort on Gozo.
- Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz - Top-tier resort with spa and pools.
- Grand Hotel Gozo (Marsalforn) - Larger hotel with sea views.
Where to Eat in Xagħra #
- Razzett L-Antik - Farm-to-table dinners in a rustic farmhouse.
- Xagħra village eateries - Cafés and family-run bistros.
- Ggantija-area cafés - Lunch options near the temples.
- Local produce markets - Seasonal fruits, cheese and honey.
- Traditional Gozitan restaurants - Stuffed vegetables and fresh seafood.
- Village bakeries - Breads, ftira and pastries.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Xagħra's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Xagħra #
Evenings in Xagħra are relaxed, with cafés and small bars open late during summer. Nightlife is modest; most live-music and club options are in Victoria.
Shopping in Xagħra #
Shopping in Xagħra centres on small artisan stalls, bakeries and souvenir shops near the temples and village square. For more shops and services, Victoria is only a short bus ride away.
- Ggantija Temples Visitor Centre - Visitor centre offers guidebooks, postcards and local craft souvenirs.
