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Walking holidays The Spring and Autumn on Gozo are wonderful times for exploring the island on foot. After the long, hot summer, the island comes to life with a colourful and highly scented display of wild flowers. Fields are full of vegetables and hillsides are carpeted with fennel, clover, wild iris, myrtle and much more. By late spring, a thousand or more species of plants will be in flower. Whether you prefer gentle strolls or more strenuous hikes, the island offers a fascinating variety. Put on walking boots and head out from the village squares on the narrow farmers’ tracks. You’ll find yourself in a timeless landscape, quite alone even in peak season. There is plenty to discover, from spectacular cliffs and seascapes to lush valleys and in the terraced fields of the flat-topped hills, flocks of shaggy goats and sheep being herded along ancient tracks. Ghammar Farmhouse sleeps up to 10 adults (including two double bedrooms - so a maximum of 8 if there are no couples). In the sitting room you will find books with information about the island, its landscape, wildlife and archeology, as well as guides detailing enough walks to keep you going for many holidays to come. More about the landscape, flora and fauna The island’s landscape is made up of terraced hills and valleys. Over the centuries, farmers have used prickly pear to mark boundaries - this rampant, spiny cactus has now spread widely. The island has a rich plant life, and is home to many trees; some native, some introduced by the Knights of Malta. Olive, carob, fig, the evergreen oak - the oldest species of tree in Gozo - and wild almond are natives. Others such as eucalyptus and conifers were introduced as shade and shelter trees to protect fields and houses. Decorative, flowering trees include the shrub-like hibiscus, oleander, tamarisk, jacaranda, the flame-pink Judas tree and the spectacular, yellow mimosa, were introduced in the last 50 years or so. In the winter and spring months, the island offers a series of flowering spectacles. In the autumn, you’ll find the first plants to resurrect after the summer: daisy, marigold, buttercups. Then come flowering heather, and Cape Sorrel, locally known as the English Weed since the plant was introduced here by an Englishwoman in 1806. Although no native, it has spread throughout the Islands covering the landscape in a bright yellow hue for most of the winter months. In spring, the colour continues with wild poppies, purple clovers, capers in flower, irises, daisies and herbs from springy, thyme bushes to towering fennel. By the coast, only the hardiest of plants like samphire, sea lavender, thyme and heather survive, but they are nonetheless colourful and provide a habitat for lizards and bees. The cliffs are the most spectacular natural monuments on the Maltese Islands and rank among the more impressive landmarks in the Mediterranean. They rise up a staggering 250 meters above the sea in places. Coastal footpaths provide the easiest view points and a boat trip around the island gives a really impressive view. There are magnificent natural sculptures such as the Azure Window at Dwerja, Fungus Rock and the Inland sea nearby. Besides their natural beauty, cliffs are home to a variety of wildlife and birds. They have also provided a home to the Bronze Age islanders. On the more accessible, and inland escarpments, natural caves were enlarged and used even until well into the 20th century as homes to a few families. The cliffs and promontories also gave the Knights excellent vantage points on which to build their watch towers and forts. The island is home to a variety of small mammals such as hedgehogs and rabbits, reptiles like lizards and snakes (not poisonous) as well as many insects including cicadas, moths, butterflies and bees (Gozo honey is not to be missed - bring it home for your friends), and of course birds and underwater wildlife.
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Walking holidays

The Spring and Autumn on Gozo are wonderful times for exploring the island on foot. After the long, hot summer, the island comes to life with a colourful and highly scented display of wild flowers. Fields are full of vegetables and hillsides are carpeted with fennel, clover, wild iris, myrtle and much more. By late spring, a thousand or more species of plants will be in flower.

Whether you prefer gentle strolls or more strenuous hikes, the island offers a fascinating variety. Put on walking boots and head out from the village squares on the narrow farmers’ tracks. You’ll find yourself in a timeless landscape, quite alone even in peak season. There is plenty to discover, from spectacular cliffs and seascapes to lush valleys and in the terraced fields of the flat-topped hills, flocks of shaggy goats and sheep being herded along ancient tracks.

Ghammar Farmhouse sleeps up to 10 adults (including two double bedrooms - so a maximum of 8 if there are no couples). In the sitting room you will find books with information about the island, its landscape, wildlife and archeology, as well as guides detailing enough walks to keep you going for many holidays to come.

More about the landscape, flora and fauna

The island’s landscape is made up of terraced hills and valleys. Over the centuries, farmers have used prickly pear to mark boundaries - this rampant, spiny cactus has now spread widely.

The island has a rich plant life, and is home to many trees; some native, some introduced by the Knights of Malta. Olive, carob, fig, the evergreen oak - the oldest species of tree in Gozo - and wild almond are natives. Others such as eucalyptus and conifers were introduced as shade and shelter trees to protect fields and houses. Decorative, flowering trees include the shrub-like hibiscus, oleander, tamarisk, jacaranda, the flame-pink Judas tree and the spectacular, yellow mimosa, were introduced in the last 50 years or so.

In the winter and spring months, the island offers a series of flowering spectacles. In the autumn, you’ll find the first plants to resurrect after the summer: daisy, marigold, buttercups. Then come flowering heather, and Cape Sorrel, locally known as the English Weed since the plant was introduced here by an Englishwoman in 1806. Although no native, it has spread throughout the Islands covering the landscape in a bright yellow hue for most of the winter months. In spring, the colour continues with wild poppies, purple clovers, capers in flower, irises, daisies and herbs from springy, thyme bushes to towering fennel.

By the coast, only the hardiest of plants like samphire, sea lavender, thyme and heather survive, but they are nonetheless colourful and provide a habitat for lizards and bees.

Walking on Gozo The cliffs are the most spectacular natural monuments on the Maltese Islands and rank among the more impressive landmarks in the Mediterranean. They rise up a staggering 250 meters above the sea in places. Coastal footpaths provide the easiest view points and a boat trip around the island gives a really impressive view. There are magnificent natural sculptures such as the Azure Window at Dwerja, Fungus Rock and the Inland sea nearby.

Besides their natural beauty, cliffs are home to a variety of wildlife and birds. They have also provided a home to the Bronze Age islanders. On the more accessible, and inland escarpments, natural caves were enlarged and used even until well into the 20th century as homes to a few families. The cliffs and promontories also gave the Knights excellent vantage points on which to build their watch towers and forts.

The island is home to a variety of small mammals such as hedgehogs and rabbits, reptiles like lizards and snakes (not poisonous) as well as many insects including cicadas, moths, butterflies and bees (Gozo honey is not to be missed - bring it home for your friends), and of course birds and underwater wildlife.