← La Valette Marathon·1 night

Gozo: One Night in Victoria

A 45-minute fast ferry to Gozo, a night in Victoria below the Cittadella and a morning at the Ġgantija temples in Xagħra.

Duration1 night
TransitGozo Highspeed ferry, about 45 minutes from Valletta to Mġarr
DepartsValletta

After the La Valette Marathon: Gozo

The Route: Valletta → Mġarr → Victoria → Xagħra → Valletta → Malta International Airport Logistics: Gozo Highspeed ferry from Valletta to Mġarr, then local transport to Victoria. One night on Gozo and a return the next day. Marathon Month: March Duration: 1 night

Valletta ──(about 45 mins Gozo Highspeed)──> Mġarr ──(bus or taxi)──> Victoria
                                                                          │
Malta International Airport (MLA) ◄──(TD4 Airport Direct)── Valletta ◄──(ferry)── Mġarr ◄── Xagħra ◄─┘

The La Valette Marathon ends at Fort St Angelo in Birgu on a Sunday in March. Monday morning is the earliest sensible time to leave for Gozo, with a night on the island and a return on Tuesday. Gozo Highspeed advertises a crossing of about 45 minutes between Valletta and Gozo, running all year, with a connection onward to Victoria. Check the timetable and fares at gozohighspeed.com before booking, and book a seat early because the schedule is the fixed point for the whole trip.

March on Gozo means cool, changeable weather and cold water. The sea sits near 16°C in March, which rules out swimming for most people, so the trip rests on its sights and its walking. Wind can interrupt sea crossings, so give the return a margin.

Night one: Victoria

Victoria is Gozo's main town, and the Cittadella above it is the island's best known historic site. Visit Gozo lists the Cittadella under sightseeing and history and culture. Opening times and ticket prices are on its own page at visitgozo.com/places/cittadella. The Cittadella stands above the town, so plan for an uphill walk from the streets below, and take it slowly on legs that ran a marathon the day before. Walk the ramparts only if the gradient feels manageable.

A room in Victoria keeps the walk to the Cittadella short and puts the evening within easy reach of the town centre. Search by distance to the Cittadella and ask whether the property stores luggage on the final morning.

Morning: Ġgantija

The Ġgantija temples are in Xagħra, on Triq John Otto Bayer. Heritage Malta sells a combined ticket with the Ta' Kola Windmill at €10 for adults. The site is listed as fully accessible for visitors with limited mobility, which makes it the easier of the two morning choices on tired legs. Opening hours change by season, so check the Heritage Malta opening hours page before leaving Victoria. Xagħra is a short taxi ride or bus journey away; check the current bus timetable or arrange a taxi the evening before.

Getting home

Return to Mġarr and take the fast ferry back to Valletta, leaving a gap of several hours before any flight. Do not book the last sailing of the day on the day of a flight. From Valletta, the Airport Direct TD4 runs to Malta International Airport (MLA) every 30 minutes at a fare of €3, with payment by cash or contactless card.