As always on holiday, the night ends early—6:50 AM feels way too soon. After some lazy moments in bed, I decide to make the most of the day.

A quick shower, packing for the trip, and then down to breakfast. The options are quite limited, mostly English-style dishes, which aren’t really my thing. Still, I find something to eat before heading out to the car.

I manage to connect my phone to the dashboard, giving me the much-needed GPS. First stop: Cirkewwa, where I need to catch the ferry to Gozo.

The coastal road, Route 1, is quite scenic, lined with hotels and seaside spots that must be bustling in the summer. Before reaching the ferry terminal, the road unexpectedly climbs a mountain before descending again.

At the terminal, plenty of cars are waiting. Being a Sunday, it seems to be a popular day for a visit. Lots of day-trippers like me. The ferries don’t seem to follow a strict schedule—they just leave when full. Four or five ferries operate the 30-minute journey to Mgarr.

The ferry itself, sailing under a Greek flag, is nothing special, but it does the job. On the way, we pass Comino Island with its famous Blue Lagoon, which I decide to skip this time.

Upon arrival, my first stop is a geocache at a scenic frame perfect for capturing a photo of Ghajnsielem Church.

Gozo is small, just 14 km long, so everything is close. My main goal is Victoria, the island’s central town. Something is happening because finding a parking spot for my little Hyundai is a challenge. After circling the town, I finally find a place not too far from the center.

Victoria isn’t a big city, and since it’s Sunday, the main church is closed for service. There are plenty of churches here, though. The town square is charming, with cozy cafes. I find the tourist information center, where a friendly staff member provides details in both Norwegian and English, marking a few must-see spots on a map.

The main attraction is the Citadel, a beautifully renovated fortress just a 10-minute walk away. Inside, there’s a church (of course), museums, souvenir shops, and craft stores. Entry to the main area is free, but for €5, you can access all the museums. I skip the museums and explore the site self-guided, following the informative signs. At one point, I miss a small step and take an unexpected tumble. Luckily, only my knees and my pride are bruised. From then on, I walk more carefully on the old pathways.

Back in town, I track down another geocache hidden inside an old English telephone booth. Then, it’s back to the car for my next stop: Dwejra Bay. The rock formations are impressive, though the area is quite crowded with tourists. Boats offer tours through the caves, but I decide against it due to the sheer number of people. Instead, I take a short walk and find another geocache before moving on.

Next up: the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. Quite a mouthful. This large cathedral stands impressively against the blue sky. But, of course, it’s closed between 12:00 and 13:30. It’s 12:45. I’m stubborn, so I wait. After logging another geocache nearby, the doors finally open. In hindsight, I probably could have skipped the wait—it’s just another church. Malta has plenty of them, and this likely won’t be my last visit to one.

From there, I drive down to Wied il-Għasri, a small gorge. The parking area isn’t ideal for a rental car, as the road is better suited for SUVs. The gorge itself is nice, with stairs leading down to the water. In summer, it might be a great swimming spot, but in February, the water looks a bit too cold.

Heading back along the coast, I stop at the salt pans, where locals produce sea salt and sell it in small shops. Note to self: always put the car in park before getting out—watching it roll unexpectedly is not fun.

The tourist information guy recommended two more stops. First, Ta’ Kola Windmill, one of the few remaining Maltese windmills. It stands in the middle of town, and I follow the locals’ lead by parking wherever possible to snap a picture and read the historical information.

Unfortunately, the next stop isn’t an option due to a lack of parking. Ġgantija, an ancient temple complex, remains unseen for now.

Parking is a nightmare across the island. The roads are narrow, there are few spaces, and locals drive like maniacs. Meeting oncoming traffic is stressful, signage is inconsistent, and some roads are suddenly closed. Even Google Maps gets it wrong at times.

Clouds start rolling in, so it’s time to head back to the ferry. Google suggests a route that turns out to be inaccessible, but I find my way. At the ferry terminal, I learn that you only pay for the return trip—€16 for the car and driver, not too bad.

I’m not the only one returning. All lanes are full, and just before my turn, the ferry reaches capacity. Another 20-minute wait. When I finally board, the ramp to the upper deck is so steep I momentarily fear my car won’t make it. After a 30-minute ride, there’s yet another delay as foot passengers disembark through the car deck, halting everything for a while.

Back on the road to St. Paul’s Bay, the influx of cars from the ferry causes a traffic jam in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, I make it back in the dark and, miraculously, find a parking space. Small victories.

Food is still an issue. The nearby restaurants don’t look appealing, and the menus aren’t great. I settle for Michele’s Cafe & Restaurant and order a surprisingly good burger.

After a long and active day, it’s time to head back to the hotel, relax, and get ready for tomorrow’s adventure: Valletta.