Belle De Jong
In the heart of Malta’s sister island lies the historical gem and capital city of Gozo, Victoria. The town, also known as Rabat, is known for its centuries-old Citadel (more about that later), cute cafés and local restaurants, and beautiful historical architecture.
Read on to discover everything you need to know for your holidays in Victoria, Gozo – from things to do, a few places to visit, finding the best local cuisine to accommodation options and the city’s history.
With over 7,000 inhabitants, Victoria is the largest town on Gozo Island. People are warm and welcoming, you can walk about anywhere, and it is easy to access by both public transport and taxi or car.
Alongside visiting main sights like the magnificent Citadel, it’s also worth exploring the backstreets and quiet alleys of Victoria, Gozo. From admiring the beautiful sights to tasting local pastizzi or just sitting back and enjoying a coffee at one of the many squares, it’ll be a delight to make your way around time at your own pace.
From churches to shopping malls and beautiful squares to winding alleys, there is plenty to see in the small city. Find out what to do in Victoria in the Things to Do section of this article.
Perhaps Victoria’s most popular tourist attraction is the Cittadella, or Citadel — a fortified city with a captivating history dating back centuries. Having hosted its inhabitants since prehistoric times, the Cittadella still proudly stands high on the hill next to Victoria, offering some of the most breathtaking views of the whole island.
As you enter the Cittadella, the Cathedral of the Assumption will be the first thing you see. With statues of Pope Pius XI and Pope John Paul II on the façade and its Baroque architecture, this cathedral stands out in art and design.
The Citadel is stunning on its own and you’re free to wander around its walls for as long as you like. However, an additional quick trip to the Visitors’ Centre will allow you to make the most of your visit since you can get more context and insights about the Cittadella and its history.
Tickets range between €2.50 and €5 (Adults, Children, Senior Citizens, Students) and along with the Visitors’ Centre, you are given access to the other museums housed within the massive defensive stone walls of the Citadel. These are as follows: The Gozo Archaeology Museum, the Gozo Nature Museum, the Old Prison and the Gran Castello Historic House.
Republic Street is known as the main street of this town. You’ll find many restaurants, open-air cafés the Duke Shopping Mall, and a few places of interest such as the Villa Rundle Gardens and the two opera theatres; Teatru Aurora and Teatru Astra.
The old town of Victoria is centred around St. George’s Square and Independence Square, locally known as it-Tokk.
In the heart of the old town, in front of the St. George’s Basilica, you’ll find a little square hidden between beautiful buildings, providing the perfect place to sit back and relax after exploring Victoria.
At just a stone’s throw away, you’ll find the famous Independence Square, which is larger than its neighbour. This square is perfect for watching locals and tourists alike go about their daily business while enjoying a drink or a bite on one of the terraces.
Independence Square has an open-air market in the mornings, as well as several stores selling local snacks and souvenirs for you to take the authentic Gozo feeling home with you.
Besides the St. George’s Basilica, there are plenty of churches in Gozo. In Victoria, you’ll find the Church of St. Francis near St. Francis Square, which dates back to 1492. Another church worth checking out is the Church of St. Augustine on St. Augustine Square.
If you want a little break in nature, pay a quick visit to the Villa Rundle Gardens adjacent to Republic Street. This small park offers a quiet and serene getaway from the town, and you can enjoy the sun on one of the benches surrounded by greenery. Cat lovers can also enjoy interactions with the resident cats of the gardens, who are well taken care of by several local feeders.
Il-Fontana, or it-Triq tal-Għajn (the way to the spring) as it’s locally known, is on the outskirts of Victoria. The well was built in the sixteenth century to access fresh water, and people used it for their daily washing. Inside, you can still find the traditional water tubs made of stone.
Thinking about booking a stay in the Capital? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if Victoria is a good base for you.
Right in the heart of Gozo’s Capital Victoria, is The Duke Boutique Hotel, probably the best hotel in the area. It’s very central and offers distinctly designed rooms and suites with magnificent views of the Citadel, Villa Rundle Gardens and even jacuzzis and terraces. If you’re looking to indulge in luxury and pure bliss, this is your place to go.
Another hotel located centrally is Casa Gemelli Boutique Guesthouse, which sits right under the Citadel bastions, just a few metres away from the old historical centre of the town. You’ll be close to museums and churches, the market, the main squares, as well as public transport and the town’s main car park. On top of that, you’ll have a fabulous stay in this gorgeous guesthouse.
39 St. George is a lovely, small hotel in an old but well-adapted building. At this amazing location, you’ll find cosy rooms with city views, while just being a stone’s throw away from the Cittadella.
This little gem offers both rooms and apartments in the centre of Victoria, right next to the two main squares. If you’re looking for a unique and personal B&B, Maria Townhouse is the place to be. After giving you a warm welcome, the staff will do everything to make sure you have a wonderful stay.
Victoria’s main street, Republic Street (also known as Triq ir-Repubblika) has shops and stores of every kind. As the commercial heart of Victoria, this is where the locals do their shopping. From jewellery stores and pharmacies to clothing shops and traditional bakeries where you can buy freshly baked bread and pastries, you can find anything you need.
The Duke Shopping Mall is probably the best shopping centre on the island of Gozo, complete with a selection of shops and plenty of brands. You’ll find anything from retail outlets to hair care and a fully-fledged food store. The Duke is where you can shop till you drop in Gozo!
Another shopping centre in Victoria is Arkadia, where you’ll find outlets ranging from beauty and care to international fast-food chains. Worth a visit if you are looking to shop in Gozo.
If you’re into artisan stuff, check out Ta’ Nikol Gallery! You can also get some spices from Il-Meħriez and other traditional gifts from the little shops on the narrow streets of Victoria.
Victoria, also known as Rabat, has been a settlement in the centre of Gozo since Neolithic times, with activity in the town since 7,000 years ago. The first inhabitants were from Sicily, but in 700 BC the island was colonised by Phoenicians and Carthaginians. During Punic times, the town was inhabited, after which the Romans took over Gozo in 218 BC. Since then, several buildings have been at It-Tokk, the town’s main square.
The Citadel and Rabat continued to be inhabited by the Byzantines from 535AD to 870AD, and it got its name “Rabat” during the Arab period, from 870 to 1127. The Arab rule ended because of the Normans, followed by several other rulers in the centuries to come.
By 1435, the Citadel had a Matrice, and a century later (in 1530) the Knights of Saint John arrived in the city. In 1551 Gozo suffered its worst siege in history. Until 1554, the entire island’s population was dragged into slavery, after which Gozo was partially abandoned and only inhabited again a few years later.
In 1559, there were works to rebuild the Citadel after it had suffered the siege, and up until 1637, all Gozitans were legally obliged to spend the night in the Citadel. After that, Rabat continued to grow steadily. There was the short-lived French rule in 1798, after which Gozo and Victora were autonomous for almost two years.
In 1800, the Maltese Islands were under British rule for over half a century. In 1864, the islands became independent, and Malta was declared a Republic on 13 December 1974.
