Żebbuġ sits on a peaceful hill in northern Gozo and offers sweeping views across the island’s landscape to the Mediterranean Sea. The village’s character combines religious architecture with a local textile tradition; the coast and hills add salt production and scenery to these themes. You can therefore choose between different focuses for your stay: local history and architecture, crafts or the surrounding area.
Salt Pans, Coast and Hills
Historic salt pans stretch along the coast from Qbajjar to Ras ir-Reqqa, where salt is still produced. Production continues the history of this stretch of coast; seasonal activities may vary. At the Xwejni salt pans, you can watch local people sweeping the salt together during the summer months. If you particularly want to see this work, plan your visit for summer and check the specific arrangements in advance.
Nearby Xwejni pebble bay offers a different coastal focus: it is a popular spot for swimming and diving, especially in summer. The coastal attractions therefore vary: the salt pans focus on ongoing salt production, while the bay is for swimming and diving.
Wied l-Infern valley is also part of the landscape around Żebbuġ. It runs between the hills of Żebbuġ, Ta’ Kuljat and Dabrani and can be reached from Żebbuġ by a steep downhill road. The road is a practical consideration for getting there; the valley’s location between the three hills provides its geographical setting.
Churches and Architecture
The parish church of Iż-Żebbuġ is clad in onyx; the high altar, choir and baptistery are also made from this stone. The church of Santa Marija, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, was consecrated in 1726. Another local religious landmark is the shrine of il-Madonna Omm tal-Ħniena, better known as taċ-Ċiċri. The founding of the parish is commemorated with special celebrations organised by the local council since 1999.
The primary school also offers a distinctive architectural landmark. The modernist building is U-shaped; rows of concrete columns support long corridors, and staircases complete the design. Batterija tal-Qbajjar was built between 1715 and 1716 and is one of two surviving batteries on Gozo. Together, these buildings represent different facets of local history, from religious architecture to a historic fortification.
Collections, Crafts and Local Specialities
Riħ id-Deheb, a museum house with collections that is also intended to host cultural events, is located on Triq Ġoma. A natural grotto lies beneath the museum house. An air-raid shelter from the Second World War was cleaned and restored in 2005 so that the public could visit and appreciate it. If you plan to visit Riħ id-Deheb or the shelter, check current visitor access in advance.
The people of Iż-Żebbuġ are known for the high quality of their lacework and for their weaving. Woollen blankets made from sheep’s wool are also part of local craft traditions. Regional food culture includes Gbejniet, Gozo’s traditional small cheeses, made using milk from sheep in the surrounding countryside. Textiles centre on handmade work, while the cheeses connect the landscape around Żebbuġ with a Gozitan speciality.
If you are looking for a hotel in Żebbuġ, first decide whether local history and architecture, crafts or the landscape should shape your stay most.
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For the overview of destinations: Malta.
