Xagħra 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.
Xagħra at a Glance#
Costs: USD 70-130 per day - gozo prices similar to other island towns; affordable lodging outside high season.
Safety: Very safe; low crime - very safe village with a calm, community-focused atmosphere.
Best Time: May to October - warm months are ideal for exploring ruins, coastal walks and local festas.
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#
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.
December - February
12-16°C (54-61°F)
Mild, quieter and occasionally wet - good for exploring temples and village life without crowds.
June - August
24-32°C (75-90°F)
Hot and sunny - perfect for beaches and boat trips around Gozo, expect busy harbors.
March - May, September - November
16-23°C (61-73°F)
Pleasant temperatures and calm seas - the easiest time for outdoor exploring and diving.
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#
Getting to Xagħra requires the Malta→Gozo ferry plus a short onward trip by bus, taxi or car. On Gozo the bus network and taxis cover village travel; renting a car gives the most flexibility.
- Gozo Channel ferry (€2-€6 (typical passenger fare ranges)) - The ferry between Ċirkewwa (Malta) and Mġarr (Gozo) runs frequently and takes about 20-25 minutes. It carries foot passengers and vehicles - check the Gozo Channel site for up‑to‑date fares and schedules.
- Local Gozo bus (€1.50-€3) - Gozo’s bus network links Mġarr, Victoria and villages including Xagħra; buses are cheap and reliable for short hops on the island but can be crowded in summer.
- Taxi / private transfer (€15-€30) - Taxis and private transfers provide direct door‑to‑door service from Mġarr to Xagħra and are useful with luggage or tight connections. They save time compared with bus transfers.
- Car hire (€30+/day) - Bringing a car on the ferry or renting on Gozo is convenient for exploring cave sites and coastal viewpoints around Xagħra. Roads are narrow in parts but generally easy to drive.
- Walking - Xagħra village and nearby sites (e.g., Ġgantija Temples) are walkable; bring comfortable shoes and sun protection for outdoor ruins and viewpoints.
Where to Stay in Xagħra#
Xagħra (Gozo) - €30-90/night
Xagħra offers modest guesthouses and family-run rooms at budget prices. Hostels are rare; book early in high season.
Xagħra budget guesthouses (booking) - Small pensions and B&Bs.
Victoria (Gozo) budget stays (booking) - More selection a short bus ride away.
Xagħra / Sannat - €90-180/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels and small resorts are found across Gozo - good facilities, convenient for the Ġgantija temples and coastal walks.
Ta’ Cenc Hotel & Spa (Sannat) - Resort option near Xagħra.
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz - Full-service resort on Gozo.
Gozo resorts (Xagħra / Marsalforn) - €150-320+/night
Luxury choices near Xagħra are limited to Gozo’s resort hotels and a few boutique properties offering elevated service and scenic sea or countryside views.
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#
Xagħra offers countryside dining and farmhouse suppers - ideal for sampling Gozitan cheeses, slow-cooked stews and local wine.
- 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.
Sample Gozitan cheeses, honey and field-to-table dishes at village markets and family taverns.
- 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.
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.
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.
