How to Visit Xwejni Salt Pans on Gozo Island
Visiting the Xwejni Salt Pans was one of our favorite experiences in Gozo, where we could enjoy the insane landscape and take some fantastic photos. There were a lot of people diving there during our visit. We recommend exploring the salt pans as early as possible and then spending the day relaxing in Xwejni Bay.
This ultimate guide to Salt Pans in Gozo includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect during your visit, and practical information.
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Where are the Salt Pans of Gozo?
On the coast beyond Xwejni, towards the stunning Wied il-Ghasri, there are several salt pans in the soft limestone.
What are Xwejni Salt Pans?
Many of the earliest salt pans date back to Roman times. Each row of salt pans touches its neighbor, and the entire salt basin stretches for over a kilometer. Each salt pan is small, roughly round in shape, and is cut out of the limestone by hand to a depth of five to ten centimeters.
Before summer, these are filled with seawater to be evaporated by the hot sun, leaving behind the crystalline salt. They are then collected and stored in caves carved into the coastal rock before being sold.
How to Get to Xwejni Salt Pans, Gozo
The most convenient way to get there is to rent a car and explore the nearby attractions at your own pace. However, there are several ways to visit the salt pans when you are on the island of Gozo.
As Gozo is a small island, the salt pans are easily accessible by car, no matter where you stay. You can park for free along the road, and from there, you can easily explore the area.
The Gozo Hop-On Hop-Off bus also stops in Marsalforn, and from there, you can reach the salt pans in about a 30-minute walk.
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By Public Transport
Take the bus No. 310 from Victoria Bay 2 stop to Xwejni. Buses run every 30 minutes from 05:30 to 22:30, and the journey time is approximately 15 minutes. Once you get off the bus, you only need to walk 10 minutes to the salt pans.
The bus ticket costs 2.50 EUR in summer, 2 EUR in winter, and the night fare is 3 EUR. You can purchase your ticket from the bus driver. Tickets are valid for two hours, including transfers.
Save money and buy a Tallinja Card. The Explore Card costs 25 EUR for adults and 7 EUR for children (4-10 years old). It is valid for 7 days from the first validation and gives you unlimited travel.
TIP
You can buy your Tallinja Card at the airport’s ticket machines.
Malta to Xwejni Salt Pans Tour
If you are in Malta and have limited time, you can explore the sights of Gozo on a one-day jeep tour. You can visit charming little towns, enjoy stunning bays, and see different rock formations and salt pans.
Xwejni Salt Pans
The centuries-old tradition of salt production is still preserved by local families today, and the picturesque coastal landscape makes the visit unforgettable.
The Salt Pans of Gozo are free to visit. But do not enter the salt pans as this will contaminate the harvest.
There is a small shop near the salt pans where they sell the harvested salt and briefly tell its story.
Once you’ve wandered around the salt pans and taken enough photos, you can easily combine your visit with other great nearby attractions.
- Xwejni Bay: The bay has a shallow reef and a pebble beach, perfect for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing.
- Wied il-Għasri (Ghasri Valley): This is a hidden gem that not many people know about, and mainly only locals visit. The water was still cold when we visited, but it might be worth spending a few hours here before visiting the Salt Pans.
Hungry? You will find the best restaurants in Marsalforn. But there are a couple of restaurants at Xwejni Bay, such as the Crab Shell Kiosk, which offers sandwiches and pizzas.
Where to Stay in Gozo
If you want to stay near the Xwejni Salt Pans and by the beach, Marsalforn is one of the best choices. The stunning bay in the village provides a breathtaking backdrop for pleasant afternoon and evening walks, a great choice for families.
But 2 other areas in Gozo are good choices for first-time visitors.
- If you are arriving without a car, we recommend Victoria (Rabat) as it offers affordable accommodations and is a good base for exploring the island.
- Nadur is an ancient village on the eastern hills of the island that is rich in history and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
But if you want to dive into where to stay in Gozo, read our post.
Best Hotels in Gozo
- Luxury: Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
- Mid-Range: The Duke Boutique Hotel or Maria Rosa Suites
- Budget: Murella Living
Best Time to Visit Gozo, Malta
Malta is an all-year-round destination with beautiful beaches, historic sites, charming towns, and stunning natural attractions. But the best time to visit is from May to September. We explored Gozo’s attractions in mid-May and had fantastic weather on the island.
The island of Gozo has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
TIP
In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
We hope you found our guide to Xwejni Salt Pans useful and will inspire you to visit Gozo. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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