Marsalforn

Marsalforn was a fishing village in a sheltered bay on Gozo's north coast and has become the island's main summer resort, though on a scale that would count as small anywhere else: a promenade round the bay, apartments up the slopes, restaurants along the front and a small beach at the head of the inlet. Fishing boats still work from the quay. The salt pans run west along the coast and a statue of Christ stands on the hill above.

History

The port dates back to Roman times and until the 16th century was the most important in Gozo, where food from Sicily was landed and passengers boarded for Licata. The Knights once considered building a new town above it, but the Gozitans objected, and the church of St Paul was built here in 1730 (Wikipedia, Marsalforn).

The main sights

• The bay promenade - the walk round the sheltered inlet past the restaurants.
• The fishing quay - boats still working from the harbour.
• The salt pans - the rock-cut pans running west along the coast.
• The hilltop statue - the figure of Christ on Tas-Salvatur hill above the bay.

When to go

May to October is the season; much closes outside it. July and August are busiest with Maltese and Gozitan holidaymakers. Spring and autumn are pleasant and quiet.

Good to know

The beach at the head of the bay is small and mostly shingle. Development up the slopes is unattractive. Much of the town closes down out of season.

Nearby

Xwejni salt pans are west, and Victoria is south.

Key facts