Wied il-Għasri (Wied il Ghasri) is a narrow gorge on the north coast of Gozo. The valley runs through the village of Għasri, passes between Żebbuġ and Ta' Ġurdan Hill, then meets the sea between very high cliffs. At the end, a staircase cut into the rock goes down to a tiny pebble beach, where you can swim and snorkel in good weather.
Without a car, take bus 308 from Victoria to the village of Għasri (about one an hour, €2 a ticket in winter), then walk down the valley road. You can also come along the coast from the Xwejni salt pans, where bus 310 stops. Times and fares were read on the Malta Public Transport website on 19 October 2026: check them before you go.
At a glance:
- Where: on the north coast of Gozo, between Reqqa Point and Forna Point, next to the salt pans.
- Access: the last part of the way is on foot, then down a steep staircase cut into the cliff.
- Bus: route 308 (Victoria – Għasri) or route 310 (Xwejni stop), then on foot.
- Cost: a bus ticket is €2 in winter, €2.50 in summer. Visit Gozo mentions no entrance fee.
- Swimming: in a calm sea only. On windy days, the sea rages in the gorge.
- What to do: swimming, snorkelling, diving (a cave 5 m below the surface), walking in winter and spring.
How to get to Wied il-Għasri
To cross from Malta to Gozo, first read our guide on how to get to Gozo by ferry or fast ferry. Once you are on the island, there are three ways to reach the cove.
By bus from Victoria
- Route 308, Victoria – Għasri: it leaves from the "Victoria Bay 3" stop and loops through the village of Għasri. On the timetable read on 19 October 2026, a bus leaves about every hour, from 05:00 to 21:55, on weekdays and at weekends. From the village square, a road leads to the valley: the rest is on foot.
- Route 310, Victoria – Marsalforn: it leaves from the "Victoria Bay 2" stop and calls at Qbajjar, then at Xwejni, near the salt pans. On the timetable read on 19 October 2026, there is at least one bus an hour, from 05:30 to 22:30.
- Ticket: €2 (winter fare, from 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027), €2.50 in summer. You buy it from the driver, in cash, by contactless card or with your phone, and it is valid for 2 hours, changes included. Children under 4 travel free.
Today's times: route 308 on the Malta Public Transport website · route 310 on the Malta Public Transport website. Check the time of the last bus back as well.
On foot from the Xwejni salt pans
Visit Gozo describes a circular walk from Victoria, the "Saltpans Walk": it goes through Wied il-Għasri, reaches the old salt pans, then follows Xwejni and Qbajjar bays. You can walk its coastal part from the Xwejni stop of bus 310, along the salt pans, which cover about 3 km of coast. Another loop, the "Ta' Ġurdan Walk", starts in Għarb's village square and also goes through the valley. Both are on the Visit Gozo walking page.
By car
On the road from Victoria to Għarb, turn right just after the aqueduct to reach Għasri, as Visit Gozo explains. From the village square, the valley road leads towards the sea. The official pages we read say nothing about parking: only park where it is allowed, and walk the rest of the way.
The cove at Wied il-Għasri and its staircase
From above, the cove looks impossible to reach. Yet a staircase has been cut into one side of the cliff: it is steep and goes down to a tiny pebble beach at the head of the inlet. Where the valley meets the sea, look for the cave with a shaft dug right up to the top of the cliff: ropes and buckets once hauled sea water up through it to fill the nearby salt pans.
Swimming, snorkelling and diving
- Swimming and snorkelling: Visit Gozo calls the little inlet perfect, on most days, for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
- Diving: according to Visit Malta, the dive starts from the pebble beach, in shallow water. The cave, also called the Blue Dome or Cathedral Cave, is only 5 m below the surface: it leads into a domed vault where you can come up and breathe. Visit Malta says the dive suits all levels.
- Who to dive with: go with a dive centre. Marsalforn, east of the salt pans, has several, according to Visit Gozo.
When to go to Wied il-Għasri
For a swim, pick a day with good weather and no wind: according to Visit Gozo, good weather is when the place is ideal for swimming. For walking or cycling, Visit Gozo recommends winter and spring above all; in late spring, the valley turns into a carpet of red poppies. On windy days, the sea rages between the cliffs: Visit Gozo describes it as a show, to watch from the top.
Tips and safety
- Rough sea: on days with wind or waves, do not swim. Watch the sea from the top.
- The staircase: it is steep and cut into the rock. Wear good shoes, keep your hands free (a backpack rather than a handbag) and leave the pushchair at the top.
- No services listed: the official pages we read mention no lifeguard, no kiosk and no toilets. Do not swim alone.
- What to bring: water, water shoes for the pebbles, a mask and snorkel.
- Salt pans: do not walk on the salt pans. Visit Gozo asks visitors to respect the signs and stay off them, even for a photo.
Going with a guide
This is what the programmes published by the operator of our Gozo tours said when we read them on 19 October 2026:
- Full day by quad or buggy, with a guide (all year): Wied il-Għasri is in the programme, marked "pass by", which means you drive past it, with no stop announced.
- Gozo and Comino sunset tours by quad, buggy, jeep or tuk-tuk (mid-April to mid-October): Għasri Valley is one of the places the tour takes you to see, with no stop or swim announced.
- Full day by jeep or tuk-tuk: the programme does not mention Wied il-Għasri.
No programme includes going down to the cove, and the operator keeps the right to change the route. So to swim at Wied il-Għasri, come on your own. To see the rest of the island with a guide, look at our Gozo tours by jeep, quad or buggy, or go straight to our quad tours and our buggy tours.
Near Wied il-Għasri: Xwejni salt pans and Marsalforn
- The Xwejni salt pans: they lie on the north coast, just past Qbajjar Bay, west of Marsalforn. They are 350 years old according to Visit Gozo, and cover about 3 km of coast. Sea water evaporates in the sun in shallow pans cut into the limestone, and salt is harvested in summer.
- Marsalforn: it is a fishing village turned seaside resort, with many seaside restaurants and several dive centres. It is busy in summer and quiet in winter. Qbajjar and Xwejni, on the same coast, are swimming zones.
- The rest of Gozo: to complete your day, read our articles on Dwejra and on Ramla Bay, and our guide on what to do in Gozo.
FAQ: Wied il-Għasri
Where is Wied il-Għasri?
On the north coast of Gozo, between Reqqa Point and Forna Point, next to the salt pans. The valley runs through the village of Għasri before it meets the sea.
How do you get down to the beach at Wied il-Għasri?
By a steep staircase cut into one side of the cliff, which leads to a tiny pebble beach. Wear good shoes and keep your hands free.
Can you swim at Wied il-Għasri?
Yes, in good weather and a calm sea: Visit Gozo calls the inlet perfect for swimming and snorkelling. On windy days, the sea rages in the gorge: do not swim.
Which bus goes to Wied il-Għasri?
Route 308 from Victoria to the village of Għasri, then the valley road on foot. Or route 310 to the Xwejni stop, then the coast along the salt pans. A ticket costs €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer.
Can you dive at Wied il-Għasri?
Yes. According to Visit Malta, the dive starts from the pebble beach and leads to a cave 5 m below the surface, where you can come up inside a domed vault. Go with a dive centre.
Does a guided tour go to Wied il-Għasri?
Our full-day quad and buggy tours drive past it, with no stop announced, and our sunset tours (mid-April to mid-October) take you to see the valley. None of them includes a swim in the cove.
When should you go to Wied il-Għasri?
On a calm day, if you want to swim. For walking, Visit Gozo recommends winter and spring above all; in late spring, the valley is covered in poppies.