Our Island Itinerary: 3 Days in Gozo & Comino Without a Car

Gozo’s quiet villages, honey-stone alleys, and dramatic limestone coastlines make it an ideal place to explore at an unhurried pace. We spent three days discovering Gozo and neighbouring Comino using public buses, passenger ferries, and coastal walking paths.

With Victoria (Rabat) as our central base, we explored historic squares, secluded gorge swimming spots, and rugged cliffs before dedicating a full day to Comino’s turquoise waters. Here is the exact car-free route we followed, complete with practical connections and transit tips.

In This Itinerary:

AT A GLANCE

Duration: 3 days, 3 nights

Base: Victoria (Rabat), Gozo

Getting Around: Public buses (Malta Public Transport), passenger ferries, and coastal walking trails

Pace: Moderate (Day 2 involves multiple bus connections and coastal hikes)

Highlights: Victoria, Ramla Bay, Xwejni Salt Pans, Wied il-Għasri Gorge, Dwejra Bay, Xlendi Clifftop Trail, and Comino

WHERE WE STAYED

We based ourselves at 39 St. George in Victoria for all three nights. Staying in the heart of Victoria is the single most practical choice for a car-free trip: the historic alleys and St. George’s Square are right outside, and the central bus terminus is just a short walk away.

Tip for booking: Because Gozo’s bus routes radiate outwards from Victoria like spokes on a wheel, staying in Victoria avoids the need to double-back through town when changing coastal routes.

OUR 3-DAY ROUTE

Open our Gozo & Comino map here.

Day 1: Victoria & Ramla Bay

We arrived on Gozo via the fast passenger ferry from Valletta, docking at Mġarr Harbour before taking a direct bus to Victoria. After checking in and wandering Victoria’s atmospheric narrow lanes and St. George’s Square, we headed to Ramla Bay (Ir-Ramla l-Ħamra) to swim and relax by its distinct reddish-golden shore.

St. George’s Basilica overlooking St. George’s Square in Victoria, Gozo, Malta, with traditional limestone buildings and outdoor cafés.

Route: Mġarr Harbour → Victoria → Ramla Bay → Victoria.

Transit: Gozo Highspeed ferry (Valletta to Mġarr), Bus 301 (Mġarr to Victoria), Bus 302 (Victoria to Ramla Bay).

Day 2: Gozo’s Coastal Wonders (Salt Pans, Dwejra & Xlendi)

Our second day took us across Gozo’s distinct coastal landscapes. We started on the northern coast at the geometric, sea-carved Xwejni Salt Pans, followed the cliffs on foot to the narrow turquoise inlet of Wied il-Għasri, and caught a bus back through town. In the afternoon, we headed west to the windswept cliffs of Dwejra and the Inland Sea, before ending our day watching the golden evening light along the clifftop trails of Xlendi Bay.

Dramatic limestone cliffs at Dwejra Bay, Gozo, Malta, with powerful Mediterranean waves crashing against the rocky coastline beneath a clear blue sky.

Route: Victoria → Xwejni Salt Pans → Wied il-Għasri → Victoria → Dwejra Bay → Victoria → Xlendi Bay → Victoria

Transit: Bus 310 (to Xwejni), coastal trail walk to Wied il-Għasri, Bus 309 (from Żebbuġ/Onici back to Victoria), Bus 311 (to Dwejra), Bus 306 (to Xlendi)

Read more: Salt Pans, Dwejra Cliffs & Xlendi Trails

Day 3: Comino Island Hike & Victoria’s Citadel

We took a morning boat from Mġarr Harbour to Comino to see the famous Blue Lagoon before peak afternoon crowds arrived. From there, we followed the rocky coastal trails across the island to Crystal Lagoon, the historic chapel, and the quieter waters of Santa Marija Bay for a swim. After taking the scenic cave-route boat back to Gozo, we capped our final evening with a night walk through Victoria up to the illuminated bastions of the Citadel (Il-Kastell).

Turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon in Comino, Malta, with a passenger boat near the rugged limestone shoreline.

Route: Victoria → Mġarr Harbour → Blue Lagoon → Crystal Lagoon → Santa Marija Bay → Blue Lagoon → Mġarr Harbour → Victoria → The Citadel

Transit: Bus 301 (Victoria to Mġarr), local round-trip passenger ferry (e.g. Ebsons Ferries from Mġarr), island trails.

Read more: Comino Day Trip: Blue Lagoon & Coastal Hike

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR EXPLORING WITHOUT A CAR

Base in Victoria: Gozo’s entire public bus network is centralized at the Victoria Bus Terminus. Staying here allows you to reach almost every corner of the island directly without needing multi-leg bus transfers.

Get a Bus Card: If you are staying across Malta and Gozo, consider picking up a 7-Day Explore Card from Malta Public Transport for unlimited bus travel. Always check schedules on the official app and allow extra transfer buffer time, particularly on rural coastal lines.

Book Comino Time Slots in Advance: To manage crowds and protect the ecosystem, landing ashore at the Blue Lagoon requires a free online time-slot reservation via the official booking platform (blcomino.com). Reserve your QR landing pass before you travel, and verify your boat operator’s return timetable and cave route options.

Pack Trail & Water Footwear: Gozo and Comino’s coastal paths feature sharp, exposed limestone, so sturdy walking shoes or sneakers are essential. Pack lightweight water shoes as well; both Ramla Bay and Comino have submerged stones near entry points.

Stay Flexible with Sea Conditions: Fast passenger ferries between Valletta and Gozo can be suspended during high swells and rough winds. If the fast ferry is cancelled, take a bus to Ċirkewwa in northern Malta and use the larger, all-weather Gozo Channel Ferry to Mġarr instead.

Three days gave us a wonderful introduction to Gozo and Comino, from historic towns and dramatic coastal trails to secluded swimming spots and turquoise bays. Exploring entirely by bus, ferry and on foot allowed us to experience the islands at our own pace, without the need for a car.