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Victoria, also referred to as Rabat by the locals, is the largest town on the island of Gozo and is its unofficial capital. From the ferry terminal on Gozo it takes no more than 15 minutes to drive to and there are plenty of bus options available if you haven’t rented a car. What’s great about Victoria is that it’s extremely navigable by foot and it won’t take you too long to walk around the town centre making it the perfect day trip option.
There are some interesting things to do in Victoria, Gozo if this is your first time visiting, with the most popular attraction in Victoria being the Cittadella. The town’s history dates back to the time of the Phoenicians and Romans, but its modern name wasn’t adopted until 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. If you’re planning a day trip to Gozo, here are some helpful tips and recommendations for where to eat in Victoria and what to do.
Where to park in Victoria, Gozo
Parking in Victoria, Gozo isn’t overly complicated but if you drive into town during the day you may have to wait for a spot to become vacant. We used a mixture of this free parking lot next to the bus terminal and a paid parking nearby which costs only €2 for the day and is paid in cash to a man standing at the entrance.
Grab breakfast at Preti Café
One of the best places in Victoria for breakfast is Preti Café. You’ll find it nestled among other eateries in St George’s Square so it’s very easy to locate and not far from the entrance to the citadel. The Avocado Heaven Toast is a great choice and you can add extra toppings to it such as bacon or smoked salmon. Or if you like poached eggs then Preti’s Toast is a delicious alternative served with feta, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes. You really can’t beat the view either so make sure you grab a comfortable seat outside and start your morning the right way.
Admire St George's Basilica
Before leaving St George’s Square, don’t forget to take in the beauty of St George’s Basilica. This is one of the main attractions in Victoria and is free to enter. There are shawls available inside if you aren’t dressed appropriately. This baroque church was built in the 17th century and the interior is very golden and opulent compared to others on the island. It’s worth a quick visit if you’re short on time!
Explore the streets of the citadel
The top thing to do in Victoria, Gozo is to visit the beautiful cittadella. Victoria’s citadel is the main landmark on Gozo and walking around the streets of this impressive ancient fortress is completely free. Inside the citadel you’ll find a number of other unique attractions, some shops, and a few places to eat as well. The citadel was once the centre of religious and military life on Gozo and with thousands of years worth of history to uncover you can easily spend most of the day wandering around it.
The cittadella was much larger than we first thought, so I would suggest spending at least half of your day here so you aren’t rushing. There are plenty of photo opportunities at every corner and if you arrive earlier or later in the day you’ll find it less busy.
Visit the Cathedral of the Assumption
One of the most imposing features of the citadel is the Cathedral of the Assumption. Construction started on this cathedral at the end of the 17th century and it was designed by a Maltese architect. Entry to the cathedral costs €5.00 and that will give you access to the attached museum as well.
It’s quite difficult to get a full length photo of the cathedral from the ground so for a bird’s eye view of it head up to the top of the citadel’s walls, to the left of the Old Prison, and you’ll have an unobstructed view.
Go museum hopping
A great thing about the citadel is how many museums are within its walls. The Discover Gozo pass for €13.00 gives you access to all of the Heritage Malta sites in the citadel, as well as a few outside of Victoria too. The Cittadella’s Visitor Centre, Old Prison, Museum of Archaeology, Nature Museum, and Castello Historic House are all included in the pass and each one tells the history of Gozo from a different perspective. It’s easy to see all of these within an hour as they’re very close to one another and don’t take much time to visit.
Grab a healthy snack or lunch at Oakberry
If you’re looking for somewhere healthy to eat in Victoria then you’ll love Oakberry. They were originally founded in Brazil but have since expanded globally thanks to the high demand for healthy fast food. It’s where you can get your açai bowl fix either by building your own or choosing one of their delicious menu options. Everything is prepared right in front of you using only the freshest ingredients so it’s the perfect spot to stop for either a light snack or a healthy lunch if you’re not feeling too hungry.
Relax in Independence Square
Right next to Oakberry is Independence Square which is a nice open space to sit down and relax for a while. This is the very centre of old town Victoria and the square is lined with independent shops and eateries. If you like coffee head across the road to Victoria Central where you can sample some local coffee blends that you won’t find anywhere else
Find some artisan souvenirs
Looking for some shopping in Victoria? The very heart of the town is filled with an abundance of artisan shops so there are plenty of places to choose from. If you’re not in a rush to leave Victoria then you should definitely take the afternoon, or at least a couple of hours, to walk around the streets and see what you come across. One of my favourite shops for local and artisan products in Victoria is Preti Artigjanali which you can find directly next to Preti Café.
Have dinner at Casa Vostra
You won’t find any better pizza in Victoria, Gozo than at Casa Vostra. This modern Italian restaurant is a popular place to eat on Gozo with locals and is always at full capacity. Their freshly prepared stone baked pizzas are delicious and there’s quite a good variety on their menu. The pizzas are huge, but if you’re feeling particularly hungry they have some tasty starters to choose from as well such as their seasonal soup.
They’ve also incorporated a few modern twists into their desserts and we were really pleased with our choice. Plus Casa Vostra has an amazing cocktail menu and is always bringing out new concoctions. Having dinner here is one of the top things to do on Gozo so make sure you book a table and enjoy!
There are many things to do in Victoria, Gozo during a day trip, whether you’re basing yourself on the island or staying on the mainland. Victoria is relatively small, so you may not need an entire day to see all of the main attractions in Victoria but if you want to have a relaxing day exploring its streets and eating local cuisine then this short list covering what to see in Victoria is a good place to start.
Gozo is a popular day trip option for many people but there are plenty of hotels on Gozo to choose from as well as holiday apartments such as the Knights Retreat. If you have any questions about visiting Victoria or Gozo in general please get in touch in the comments section below or through Instagram and I’d be happy to help.
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