Gozo is an excellent place for mountain biking with its serene environment and breathtaking views. These are a set of three biking routes that are easy to follow (Gozo is a small island and you actually have to make an effort to get lost).

Dwejra route

Victoria – Lunzjata – Kercem – Ghadira – Wardija Point – Ghajn Abdul – Dwejra – Ta’ Pinu – Victoria

The Dwejra route is good for beginners in mountain biking. The highlight of the Dwejra route is the Azure window in Dwejra.

The track starts from Victoria Bus Terminus and initially heads west through Pjazza Santu Wistin (St. Augustine). In this pjazza is St. Augustine Church which is also an Augustinian convent that provides affordable accommodation (see “Accommodation”). Continuing west leads to Kercem. The landscape between Victoria and Kercem is Lunzjata Valley, which was once a private hunting ground during the times of the Knights of St. John. Here you will encounter a historic chapel, which is one of the oldest chapels in Gozo dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation, and nearby the chapel is a water spring built during the times of the Knights of Malta. In the vicinity of Lunzjata valley are St. Gregory’s catacombs.

Passing Kercem you enter the splendid countryside of Southwestern Gozo. A key sight is L-Ghadira ta’ Sarraflu near the southwestern shoreline. A little bit further west on the same road will take you to the only pond in Gozo. Further west leads you to the most Southwestern part of the route at Wardija point where you can view a Punic temple and the remains of an old tower. Northeast on the track leads to Ghajn Abdul where there is a natural water spring. Here exists a legend of a Turk who dug for water and found it and he drank so much he died. Further up is a path that leads to Neolithic Cave dwellings. Turning east leads towards Dwejra’s Azure Window. Azure window is a geomorphologic feature formed over millions of years by wave action. This will be an ideal resting place where you can have lunch from one of the few kiosks and just sit back, absorb the scenery and listen to the rush of the sea.

Back on the route heading Northeast leads towards Ta’ Pinu Church. Heading back to Victoria, you will observe an aqueduct used to transfer water from Ghar Ilma to Victoria in the 1800s. Riding for another 1 km East leads back to Victoria where you will pass by Victoria’s most notable construction, The Citadel.

Zebbug route

Victoria – Citadel – Wied l-Infern – Zebbug – Wied l-Ghasri – Il-Qolla l-Bajda – Qbajjar – Marsalforn – Salvatur – Victoria

The Zebbug track requires an intermediate level of biking skill. The main highlights are Il-Qolla l-Bajda (which is a weird looking hill), Is-Salvatur (which is a statue of Jesus on a hill) and the picturesque Gozitan countryside.

Heading north from the Victoria bus terminus, you come to the first site (or you can make it your last after you’re tired biking many kilometers), The Citadel. Heading North leads out of Victoria towards the countryside of Northern Gozo.

North of Victoria is Wied l-Infern which is a valley having haunting tales linked to it. Heading further North takes you to the outskirts of Zebbug where you will pass by the Zebbug church known for its beautiful marble. Taking a left turn on Triq Saghtria will allow you to witness the beauty of Ghasri Valley and Reqqa Point. The end of Triq Saghtria puts you back on the main route and here you can observe salt pans that date back to the Roman era. Just up the hill from the salt pans is Il-Qolla l-Bajda. Another minute on your bike will take you through Qbajjar, offering a splendid sea view. A little further on, you can take a swim in Marsalforn Bay from a small but nice sandy beach. Heading south takes you back in the countryside of Marsalforn Valley where you will be able to observe Is-Salvatur. This monument was created in the 1800’s to celebrate the Eucharistic congress in Malta. Riding leisurely southwards will give you another breathtaking view of Wied l-Infern from the other side. This same road takes you back to Victoria.

Mgarr route

Mgarr – Nadur – Ramla Bay – Ramla Valley – Calypso’s Cave – Xaghra – Ggantija Temples – Xewkija – Ghajsielem – Mgarr

This track is for advanced bikers who intend to bike for intense physical conditioning. The terrain has many steep uphill gradients along the paths. Nonetheless, spectacular scenery is still a main characteristic of this route.

From Mgarr Harbour head north towards Nadur. As you travel up the steep hill, the view will afford a spectacular view of Comino and the Northern cliffs of Malta. Biking north of Nadur for 2 km will take you to Gozo’s prime sandy beach, Ramla Il-Hamra which is known for its color of sand. A quick swim at Ramla will prepare you for a ride around Ramla Valley to Calypso’s Cave. If you manage to tackle all the uphill biking you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Ramla Bay from Calypso’s Cave. Legend claims it was the home of Calypso during Homer’s Odessy.

After Calypso’s cave, head south through Xaghra and you will be able to visit the Ggantija Prehistoric Temples which are in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest man made structure in the world.

After having marvelled at the beautiful temples, another 2 km south will take you past the main church of the village of Xewkija. You cannot miss the dome, since it’s quite big and dominates the view of the village. Continuing east will take you through Ghanjsielem, however there is also an old windmill structure, unique to Gozo, as well as Santa Cecilja Tower. Now that you’re probably tired of bike riding and managed to drown yourself in your own sweat you can enjoy the long downhill to Mgarr Harbour.

While hanging off a craggy cliff face may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and the adrenaline rush that comes with scaling a sheer rock may not necessarily appeal to everyone, others are ready to travel far and wide to challenge themselves on different climbs.

So why not choose Malta – blessed as it is with incredible stretches of Lower Coralline limestone cliffs, resulting from faults that occurred thousands of years ago. Its entire south coast is composed of cliffs that can either leave visitors awestruck, or inspire them to summit these rocks and overcome their intimidating majesty. It is the Malta Rock Climbing Club, with the approval and backing of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), that is not only enjoying the sport, but is using its expertise to help the Maltese economy by working on the development of this new niche tourism market. Soon Malta could end up boasting its own klettergartens and although it is a German word, the island could easily adopt it, having more than it takes to establish and equip climbs according to European standard, (which is what a klettergarten is). The raw material is there as well as the enthusiasm, the know-how and the support.

Rock climbing is similar in capacity, in terms of the availability of cliffs, to diving, maintains club president Andrew Warrington, who has estimated that between 10,000 and 30,000 climbers could easily visit the island each year. “The amount of climbs available and the amount that have yet to be developed is tremendous’ he says. “Practically every time we go out to climb, which we do every weekend, we establish a new route – such is the vastness:’ As yet, the islands boast 1,300 established climbs, but many unclimbed routes are waiting to be developed – part of the future plans. The investment to equip the cliffs with heavy-duty anchors on the established climbs, which is what the club’s approved proposal entails, is to cost €34,941 – a sum the MTA has readily committed. Not only is it a conservative investment, but it is also of a permanent nature, according to Mr Warrington. “If it is done well, it is set to stay for 30 to 50 years, without requiring any maintenance:’ The equipment, the highest quality available, is being funded by the MTA, and the first phase, which costs €13,976, includes equipping five locations in Malta and two in Gozo, covering in excess of 350 climbs.

Gozo is being prioritised, and one area, Ghajn Abdul, has already been completed, while the next, Kercem, should be tackled soon before moving on to Malta. Another seven areas have been earmarked for the second phase, which should be concluded by the end of 2007, after which new areas would be identified and developed. According to Mr Warrington, some of the most popular areas are Wied Babu near Zurrieq, which has 55 climbs on one cliff that stretches 200 metres. Ghar Lapsi and Xaqqa Valley in ‘Malta and Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo are other prime sites.

The local climbers – a 25-strong community – are doing the groundwork on a voluntary basis. Their idea is to create a combination of the British, traditional, natural method of climbing, which means leaving the rock intact and using only its natural features for protection, as well as metal wedges of various sizes, which are removed as you go along; and the European way, which involves the permanent bolting of strong stainless steel anchors in the rock at regular intervals to create the klettergartens.

In Malta, climbing was introduced by the British and adopted by the locals, and “we do not want to give that up’: But the ideal is to preserve the two to turn Malta into a popular climbing destination, maintains Mr Warrington, who has been an avid climber for the last 20 years and has been travelling to Europe to climb for the last decade. The natural climbs would serve to attract British and Americans, who like the traditional method, while the klettergartens are making climbing more accessible and increasing the popularity of climbing holidays in general. Even though they reduce the “purity” of the climb, the challenge and the element of danger, which is important for the adventure aspect, they offer a different type of climbing that also plays its role in developing the sport. And the environmental impact is relatively Iow because the anchors barely show.

Other countries have already travelled along this path – the Mediterranean coast of Spain, the South of France and northern Italy primarily – but Malta, which is following in their footsteps, is on the right track and could soon catch up. After all, the island has a number of advantages: good weather and an easy life that northern Europeans lack and love. And although climbers would have to fly to Malta, it is growing increasingly common for them to travel more than once a year to practise their sport. Access to the cliffs is also easy and quick – the longest walk-ins in Malta are about 15 minutes for the remote climbs, as opposed to the possibility of three hours of walking to the cliffs overseas.

In Malta, climbers’ companions, who may not necessarily have a penchant for the sport, are not going to find themselves stranded in a secluded, sleepy village, where the only source of entertainment is the surrounding cliffs. The short distances mean they can indulge in sightseeing and culture, or the sea and the sun, while their more adventurous counterparts do the groping and the grappling.

It is estimated that Europe is home to around one million climbers. So who could we expect to find scaling our cliffs? “The British have a long, solid tradition of climbing, as do the Germans and the Swiss, while the Italians’ small community of mountaineers has developed into rock climbers, and the French cannot be left out of the mix:” Strangely enough, even a flat country like Holland has spawned climbers who travel extensively.

“Twenty years ago, climbers would have been young and adventurous youths, ready to quit their jobs and live off social security to climb all day. Today, many of the full-time climbers are sponsored by companies and can afford to travel to climb;” says Mr Warrington. There are also a number of climbers who, in the 1960s and 1970s, were teenagers, pioneering new climbs, but are now established, like their luxury and only indulge in five-­star travel, with their families and spending money in tow.

Apart from a good climb, they want their good food and their comforts which is understandable when you consider that climbing is a total body workout, which involves contorting the body in angles you would never dream physically possible.

Malta’s nightlife is unique and exciting, with a large choice of venues in close proximity and offering a new clubbing experience from what you’re used to back home. Nightlife in Malta consists mainly of clubs concentrated nearby St. Julian’s (in the Central/North part of Malta), referred to as Paceville, and open air clubs that are particularly popular on Friday and Sunday nights.

Paceville

Paceville (St. Julian’s area) offers a wide array of clubs and bars to suit most musical tastes. All clubs are concentrated in the center of Paceville and the area’s always full of party people on weekends and radiates with energy. There’s something for everyone: trance clubs, R&B and hip-hop joints, salsa bars and alternative/rock bars. Besides clubs you’ll also find other kinds of entertainment in Paceville, including Malta’s largest cinema, a bowling alley, sports bars and gentlemen’s clubs.

Paceville is pretty easy to reach from practically anywhere in Malta by public transport. The cheapest way to get there is probably a trip by bus, although regular line buses do not cater for late night trips. There are very good alternatives though: Extra line buses depart from Paceville between midnight and 1am, with various destinations all over the island, and for those who prefer partying till the early hours of the morning the so-called “Free phone taxis” are a good option to keep in mind. This is a taxi service which offers grouped taxi rides at highly reduced rates!

Open air clubs in Malta

If you love clubbing then you should definitely not miss out on the fantastic open air parties that take place in a number of venues in Malta and Gozo. Look out for well-known clubs like Gianpula and Numero Uno. They’re not easy to reach by public transport, but hiring bus transport for the evening is not very expensive and well worth it!

Gianpula is a club situated a more rural area, surrounded by fields, close to the old cities of Mdina and Rabat in the Eastern part of Malta. The club’s based in the huge back yard of a classic villa and is divided up in two areas, to suit trance/club and R&B/Hip-hop fans alike. Great and friendly atmosphere, particularly on Fridays when many Maltese youths come to unwind after a long week of work/studying.

Related article: Clubbing in Malta

External links:

• Gianpula (open air club – summer only)
• Numero Uno (open air club – summer only)
• Axis (Paceville)
• Havana (Paceville)

Over the past decade, scuba diving in Malta has grown in popularity significantly. This is no surprise considering the many scenic dive sites that can be found around Malta, Gozo and Comino. Scuba divers will encounter dive sites with beautifully coloured coral reefs, dark caves reaching deep into some of Malta’s tall cliffs and sea-wrecks which over the years have become the habitat for various species of fish and other marine life.

What makes Malta so attractive for scuba diving is the unique topographic structure, friendly weather, their relatively clean waters and rich marine life. Apart from other positive aspects, one of the most important is that diving in Malta is an all-year-round option for divers. Even in the middle of winter the sea temperature never drops below 13 degrees Celsius. The climate and duration of sunshine at that time of year are similar to an average North European summer, sometimes even better. In stormy weather, sheltered coasts offer a sufficient number of interesting scuba diving sites.

In summer, the warm sea temperature (averaging 26 degrees Celsius) makes it possible for divers  to wear a light 3mm diving suit. Diving in winter offers the advantage that many species of fish move inshore to shallower, slightly warmer waters which are not disturbed by swimmers in winter. This offers divers a much better opportunity to observe and photograph marine life.

Malta scuba diving is very attractive for experienced divers but also ideal for beginners to explore underwater locations around the Maltese islands.  There are a number of PADI certified scuba diving schools in Malta who offer short beginner courses. Course instructors will take beginning divers to the more shallow waters around Qawra or Slieme, to be able to teach them the basic techniques of diving. Later on, diving instructors will move to more interesting sites, such as Ghar Lapsi (in the South, near Zurrieq and the Blue Grotto) or the Zonqor Point Tug boat wrecks.

Dive sites around Malta

Um El Faroud

Location: Wied Iz-Zurrieq, near the Blue Grotto.

Type: Shipwreck. (10,000 Ton container ship)

Facts:

• 10,000 Ton container ship
• 110 m (361 ft) in length
• Lies at a depth of 36 m (118 ft), with top of the funnel at 12 m (40 ft) and lowest deck at 25m (82 ft)
• Good visibility down to 30m (100 ft)

The Um El Faroud is a wreck with a tragic history: Nine Maltese dockworkers were killed when a gas explosion on board ripped through the ship in 1995. Three years after the accident, the ship was taken to its current location and scuttled to serve as a dive site. As a memorial to those who died in the accident, a brass plaque was placed on the wreck. The ship is a huge vessel at 10,000 tons and well worth the dive, but the swimming distance is relatively lengthy, which means that the time on the wreck is reduced to around 10-15 minutes if diving on a single cylinder. The ship offers multiple swim-throughs around the decks and the bridge and the wheelhouse is accessible as well. There is plenty of sea life around, including barracuda, sea bream and scorpion fish.

Qawra Reef

Location: Qawra (North of Malta, nearby Bugibba and St. Paul’s Bay)

Type: Reef

Facts:

• 20m (65 ft) Depth
• Good visibility down to 20m (65 ft)
• Beatiful location with plenty of marine life

This site offers quick access from shore and offers a reef dive with a maximum depth of 20m. This is a very popular site with beginner and intermediate level divers, with rich marine life and very clear waters.

HMS Maori

Location: Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta, Malta.

Type: Shipwreck (Destroyer)

Facts:

• WWII Destroyer, bombed and sank in 1942
• 35m (115 ft) in length (when still intact)
• Lies at 8-16m  (26-52 ft) depth
• Good visibility down to 10m (30 ft)

The HMS Maori is a WWII Birtish Destroyer, bombed and sank on February 14th, 1942 in Valletta Grand Harbour. The ship received a direct hit to the engine room, killing one person but thankfully no other crew members were on board at the time of bombing. At one point it blocked a major shipping lane inside the harbour so it was towed out of the way, which broke up the wreck into two parts, one of which is diveable. Although it is partly buried in sand, the swim through is relatively straightforward and despite lack of good visibility (for Maltese waters) this still makes for a good dive. This is a relaxed and easy dive.

Blenheim Bomber

Location: 800m (2600 ft) off the coast of Delimara (East Malta)

Type: Plane wreck

Facts:

• WWII RAF Bomber, shot down on approach to Malta
• Lies at 42m  (138 ft) depth
• Good visibility down to 35-40m (115-130 ft)
• For experienced divers

Little is known about the Bristol Blenheim Bomber, which served the British Army (RAF) during WWII, but it is suspected to have been shot down on its approach to Malta. The plane wreck lies below sport diving limits and is therefore advisable only to experienced divers. Engine, wings and propellers can still be seen but due to the plane’s violent crash into the sea many parts are unrecognisable. The wreck hosts a variety of interesting species of marine life and seeing the wreck appear from the deep blue on your approach is truly magical. Be sure to use a dive boat and go only in calm waters, using GPS to get to its exact location. Guidance by local divers is highly recommended.

Dive sites around Gozo

Inland Sea (and Blue Hole)

Location: San Lawrenz/Dwejra, Gozo

Type: Reef dive

Facts:

• Dive from a small inland bay through an underwater cave to the open sea
• Depth of 60m max (200 ft)
• Good visibility down to 30m (100 ft)

The inland sea at San Lawrenz/Dwejra in Gozo is a small inland bay surrounded by tall cliffs and open sea access through a large cave. As you enter the water at the inland sea (easy to reach, convenient location) the first part of the dive takes you through an arch in the rock with clear blue water and colourful reef, inhabited by a variety of species of fish (including tuna). Further down the dive you will get to the Blue Hole, which is a sink hole in the limestone where you can enter for a safety stop and then surface from. You can walk back to the Inland Sea, which is not easy due to rough limestone, but well worth the effort for a spectacular dive.

The Maltese islands are an ideal location for outdoor activities due to pleasant weather conditions all year round. The most popular of such activities are without doubt country walks and hikes as well as mountain biking and horse riding, which are enjoyed by both sports enthusiasts as well as tourists who love to spend time in the countryside.

Country Walks and Hikes

Malta has some very fascinating routes for country walks and hikes, which take you to secluded beaches, coastal cliffs, historic and archaeological sites and offer breathtaking views of scenic landscape which is rich in geological features.

More info on routes is available from the Ramblers’ Association of Malta

Mountain Biking in Gozo

Mountain biking offers an excellent way to discover the breathtaking views that Gozo offers, so have a look at these biking routes in Gozo. Mountain biking in Malta is not advisable – because of busy and slippery roads biking (or even driving a scooter/motorcycle) can be very unsafe. Bike rentals in Gozo are available from a number of places, mostly in Victoria and offer relatively low rates.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike and the most popular stables can be found in the Western part of Malta, near Golden Bay. Scenic tours are offered, taking you around this rugged part of the island and offering spectacular views from higher grounds along the coast. Tours are led by by qualified instructors and all horses are well trained.

Other stables in the same area near the small village of Bidnija offer information online at http://www.bidnijahorseriding.com/.

Rock Climbing

Malta is a great place for rock climbing, being one big rock in the middle of the Mediterranean with challenging cliffs to climb and abseil. Rock climbing in Malta is still relatively undiscovered but is gaining a reputation for offering some great climbing routes on all three islands – over 1,300 of them. Considering the islands only cover 316 square kilometres it’s easy to figure out Surfer at Ghajn Tuffiehathat trying different routes on a holiday isn’t difficult and climbers are spoilt for choice in Malta. A varied selection of climbs are available, including traditional, sport, bouldering, deep water soloing and single and multi-pitch climbing.

Check out this article on rock climbing in Malta for more info!

Water Sports and Diving

Surrounded by sea, Malta offers a wide range of water sports, including more leisure jet skiing, water skiing and banana rides but also activities such as paragliding, sailing and of course diving.

Have a look at Malta scuba diving and check out Gnejna water sports too – they offer banana rides, water skiing, ski lessons, paddle boats, canoes, self-drive boats, boat trips, diving/snorkelling and other beach facilities at the beaufiul beach of Gnejna bay.