MARSALFORN BAY

If you get the chance, don't hesitate to follow the steep, flower-filled path from the Victoria-Marsalforn road to Ramla Bay, either on foot or by car. Although Ramla Bay and its beautiful ochre-coloured beach are very close, there is no direct coastal road leading to them. Marsalforn also has a lovely little cove where you can rent chairs and umbrellas or enjoy a drink by the sea. Old villas, built in the 1950s by wealthy Maltese, make the area around the marina even more charming. You can then stroll down to Qbajjar Bay, a slightly less urbanized area reached by a long seafront promenade overlooking the cliffs. Then slowly descend to salt marshes and small bays with very calm waters. The sun is shining, but deckchairs and parasols are also available. The yellow rock of the coastline has been literally sculpted into terraces over several hundred meters. From here, you can also reach Xwejni Bay via a pretty road wedged between cliffs. Small fishermen's warehouses have been dug out, and above all you'll see an impressive succession of salt pans dating back to Roman times. These are still in use today, as Gozo salt is renowned for its finesse and high magnesium content. Seen from above, the salt pans resemble a large mosaic of yellow, orange, white and silver. Narrow, vertical shafts pierce the rock. Garages have even been dug into the cliffs.