Ramla Bay …. Bright coloured orange sand and crystal clear waters |
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Locally known as ir-Ramla l-Hamra, meaning “red sands”, Ramla bay is the biggest sandy beach on Gozo island.
It’s a stunning curving bay with bright orange-coloured sand. Hence the name. Flanked by rocky headlands, Ramla Bay was featured in many international articles which highlighted the top beaches in Europe. So if you’re heading to Gozo, make sure to take a dip at Ramla bay.
The bay is popular with families, young people and tourists alike, so it gets a bit crowded in summer. It’s what you’d expect from a stunning typical Mediterranean beach after all!
In 1881, a statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on a white plinth in the middle of the bay and still stands to this day.
The snack bars and kiosks at the back of the beach are open during the summer only. Be sure to savor the infamous Gozitan ftira if you decide to get something to eat. The ftira is similar to a crusty pizza, topped with potatoes, tomatoes, olives and anchovies. Mmmmmm heaven! :)
An interesting spot near Ramla Bay is located on the cliffs on the western corner of the beach. The cliffs shelter Calypso’s Cave. Legend has it that this is the cave where Odysseus was held captive for seven years by the nymph Calypso. Although, there is some evidence that Gozo island was once called Ogygia – the island mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey, there’s a lot of doubt and confusion on whether this is actually the cave that Homer was referring to.
If you make it to the cave, the view from up there is spectacular. The cave itself is nothing to write home about though. But what the cave lacks in its interior, the views from the cliff more than make up for it. You'll have plenty of photo opportunities of breathtaking scenery to add to your other beautiful Gozo photos!
Getting there
Ramla Bay
Bus #42 from Victoria. Gozo buses do tend to be quite infrequent at times and this route only operates from July to September. By car, you can get there in about 20 minutes from the Mgarr ferry dock.
Calypso Cave
Bus #64 and #65 from Victoria.
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