Gozo is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, after Malta. Malta’s capital, Valletta, is one of the world’s most beautiful and unique cities. Gozo, on the other hand, has a more relaxed pace of life, which will appeal to digital nomads.
A Short Introduction
Gozo is a small island that measures only a few miles in both directions. The locals are friendly and used with foreigners visiting the island. It is a popular tourist destination due to its slower, quieter lifestyle than Malta. The Ggantija Temples are a UNESCO-protected site, older than the Great Pyramids of Giza.
A day trip by ferry to Malta is an excellent way to shop and explore the capital Valletta. Sicily, about 60 miles away to the north, is a great place to experience a different culture. Gozo, despite being a small island has a lot to offer. It also offers nearby places for a bit of contrast.
How to Get There
You can fly directly into Malta from Heathrow Airport in London. You can also fly into Sicily, Italy and take a ferry to Malta’s Valletta Waterfront via VirtuFerries.com. From Malta, a connecting ferry to Gozo is less than 30 minutes away.
Eating & Drinking
The food and drink you consume is an important part of any vacation. Many restaurants serve the Maltese Fitra, which is a flatbread similar to pizza.
Seafood dishes are also very popular in the locality due to its proximity to the sea. When the fishing is good, you can find plenty of seafood and fish. The wine list has a wide variety of local wines that are very affordable.
Home-made Tastes
Expats enjoy some home-style food and drinks from time to time. Even a classic British telephone box can be found on the street. Brits are sure to feel at home.
Language & Culture
The Maltese have their own language but English is widely used and of a standard that allows visitors to communicate easily. It’s a stark contrast from other European islands, where you need to speak the local language if you plan to stay more than a couple of days.
It is easy to adapt and enjoy the culture without feeling restricted or oppressed. Locals are known to be welcoming and friendly to tourists and to have a good reputation.
Internet Access
We are now getting down to the core of the issue. Digital nomads are always concerned about the speed of internet and the availability. They may need to move to another place with better internet if this situation continues. Gozo is a good news story.
Malta and Gozo are home to multiple telecommunications companies. A submarine cable runs from St. George’s Bay, Malta, 245 kilometers to Catania in Sicily. The internet is then provided by underwater cables to all the islands of the Maltese Archipelago including Gozo.
There are multiple Wi-Fi Hotspots on Gozo. Melita, for example, has their MelitaWiFi which includes 75,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots both indoors and outside spread over the seven main islands of Malta. It is free to use and can be used for checking your email, Facebook notifications, or looking up a website. To avoid any security issues, we recommend using a VPN to encrypt your connection when using a WiFi hotspot.
GO, Melita, and Vodaphone all have their own 4G mobile networks on Gozo. Mobile Wi-Fi is compatible with monthly plans or pay-as you-go data plans. Vodaphone charges EUR26.50 per month for 22GB data on a contract. Pay-as you go is EUR25 per 10GB spread over 28 days. Additional data is available beyond the data limits.
In some areas of the island, fibre optics are available with speeds ranging from 15Mbps to 70Mbps (with 1-10Mbps upload). A Maltese landowner would have to sign a contract for two years if they hadn’t already. Most co-working spaces and apartments have fibre optic connections. If you live in a Gozo settlement, a Wi-Fi signal or 4G LTE can be used as a backup.
Coworking Spaces
Gozo is gaining in popularity as a hub for digital nomads, and is a great place to do so. There are just over 100 people registered for a meetup for digital nomads in Gozo.
Due to the demand, it’s likely co-working spaces continue to be opened. For now, digital nomads must either work on their laptops in their apartments or go to a cafe and order a coffee or breakfast, then get going.
Accommodation
You can rent out a large property to share with other digital nomads. Rent a whole farm in Gozo.
For the first few days, if you don’t have a reservation yet, a hotel or Airbnb can be a good option. However, it becomes very expensive for extended stays. To keep accommodation costs low, renting by the month may be necessary.
Find a place with plenty of outdoor space for you to relax. You can hire a car, moped, or ride a bike to get around Gozo. However, two wheels or two legs are usually enough due to Gozo’s compact size.
Time-Zone
Malta is currently using Central European Summer Time, which is two-hours ahead of UTC. It is usually one hour ahead, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads that need to contact British or European contacts during working hours. The United States time is more than 8 hours behind Malta’s. It is much easier to stay in touch with American and Canadian contacts when you are in Asia.
Climate
From spring to autumn, the climate is pleasant. In the summer months temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius with high humidity. However, staying near the coast makes it more bearable.
You can avoid the heat by staying inside during the afternoon. If you want to avoid the heat, either take a nap or use your laptop keyboard.
You should definitely equip your apartment with fans, and check if it has AC units. You should be aware that using the AC can increase electricity costs, which are not included in the fixed cost of your accommodation. Budget your expenses accordingly.
Winters are colder in Europe, and you will need to pack warm clothes if you plan on staying for a longer period of time.
Activities in Gozo
There are many things to do in Gozo, including the UNESCO protected site. Snorkeling in the Mediterranean’s clear waters is also a lot of fun.
Gozo’s terrain is more rugged and off-road travel requires tires with thick lugs to make the trip. We recommend hiking boots to trek across the undulating terrain. Listen to the Digital Nomad podcast while enjoying the fresher air and beautiful scenery. It doesn’t get much better.
Safety on Gozo
It pays to take care in unfamiliar places when you are abroad. The majority of people who live there are not malicious. To avoid problems, it is important to use common sense. It’s not a good idea to get drunk and then try to find your way home. It’s also not a good idea to travel alone in a taxi at night.
The pavements are slippery, so you should take extra care when walking around. Gozo can be a safe destination for several months if you act sensibly.
Gozo is a great destination for Digital Nomads. Gozo is developed enough to provide creature comforts, and some taste of home so that you don’t feel isolated. Excellent internet connectivity, quality accommodation, friendly people, and plenty of things to do even when you put away your laptop are all available. If you want to visit a more lively destination, take a ferry to Malta for an overnight stay and see the sights.