The guide · Xlendi · Gozo

La Grotta Gozo: the nightclub inside a cave, in Xlendi

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The Gozo club carved into the cliff above Xlendi Bay: season, 2026 prices, music, and how to get back to Malta after the party.

✦ Info checked on 6 November 2026

La Grotta at a glance

Where
Triq tal-Għajn, Munxar (Gozo), on the road from Victoria to Xlendi
Season
Open-air summer from June to early October (2026: 6 June → 10 October), a few winter parties in the cave
Days and times
Mostly Saturdays, from 10:30pm to 4am
Entry
€7 to €15 in 2026 depending on the tier, plus booking fees
Tickets
Online on TicketWave or ShowsHappening, depending on the party
Music
Changes with the party: retro, chart hits, rap, house, disco
Getting back to Malta
Night ferry Mġarr → Ċirkewwa, about every 45 minutes, €4.65

Minimum age: nothing is written down for regular parties (you can drink alcohol from 17 in Malta); the New Year gala is for guests aged 21 and over.

La Grotta : la scène en plein air, les projecteurs et la foule
La Grotta : canons à fumée au-dessus de la foule, à côté de la cabine du DJ
La Grotta : la piste dans la grotte, sous la roche, un soir d'Halloween

A nightclub in a real cave

La Grotta is the most famous club in Gozo, the little island north-west of Malta. It opened in 1986, in a limestone cliff on the slope down to Xlendi Bay. The main dance floor is carved into a natural cave. In summer, a second open-air dance floor opens up, overlooking the Xlendi valley.

The venue sits on the border between two villages: websites talk about Xlendi one minute and Munxar the next. It's the same place, about 600 metres from the bay. There's even a "Grotta" bus stop on route 330, which links Victoria to Xlendi.

When to go

The big season is summer. In 2026, La Grotta opened on 6 June and closed its summer season on 10 October. The parties almost always fall on a Saturday: doors at 10:30pm, finishing around 4am.

Unlike what a lot of guides say, the venue doesn't shut down completely in winter. Parties are held in the cave: in 2026 there was one for Halloween, then on 14 November and 21 November, and a jazz gala dinner is planned for 31 December. There are fewer than in summer, so check the listings before you cross over.

Good to know: there's no official website. Dates come out on the Instagram @lagrotta_leisure, the Facebook page "lagrottagozo" and on the ticket sites. That's where to check the Saturday party you're interested in.

Prices and tickets

In 2026, a standard party costs between €7 and €15 plus fees. Tickets are sold in tiers: the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. For the October closing party, the tiers were €8, €10, €12, then €15. Some parties still sell tickets at the door (€15 for a November party), but only if there are any left.

New Year is a different story: it's a seated gala dinner with a jazz band, at €120 per person, formal dress required, 21 and over.

What music?

La Grotta doesn't have one single style. The venue hosts different promoters from week to week. In 2025 and 2026 it has put on retro parties from the 80s to the 2000s ("Nostalgia", "Throwbacks"), summer hits, rap with Maltese artists, disco, and Halloween with seven DJs. Check the name of the party and its poster to know what to expect.

How to get there from Malta, and above all how to get back

This is the real question, and almost no guide answers it. For a party that ends at 4am, here's what works:

  • Getting there: Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa (in the north of Malta) to Mġarr, about 25 minutes. The trip over is free. In the evening, there are departures about every 45 minutes. You can also take the fast ferry from Valletta (about 45 minutes, €7.50).
  • On Gozo: route 330 serves the "Grotta" stop until about 8:30pm (Monday to Saturday), and route 306 goes via Munxar until 10:48pm. After that, you need a taxi from Mġarr or Victoria.
  • Getting back: there's no night bus on Gozo, so take a taxi to Mġarr. The Gozo Channel ferry runs all night to Ċirkewwa: on Saturday night into Sunday, departures at 3:00am, 3:30am, 4:15am, 5:00am… The foot-passenger ticket costs €4.65, paid once at Mġarr (€4.05 at night from November to March).
  • Watch out: the fast ferry back to Valletta doesn't leave until 5:45am. And Ċirkewwa is a long way from Paceville and Sliema: plan on a Bolt or a taxi to finish the journey.

The easiest way: stay the night in Gozo (Xlendi, Victoria) after the party. You skip the ferry at 4am and you get to enjoy the island the next day.

Staying in Malta? Our parties

Crossing over to Gozo for a party is a bit of an expedition. If you're sleeping in Malta, here are the parties we sell in the island's big clubs: tickets online, up-to-date dates, direct booking.

✦ Upcoming parties ✦

La Grotta FAQ

Where is La Grotta in Gozo?

Triq tal-Għajn, in Munxar, on the road from Victoria to Xlendi, about 600 metres from Xlendi Bay. The nearest bus stop is called "Grotta" (route 330).

Is La Grotta open all year round?

The big season runs from June to early October, open air. In winter, there are a few parties in the cave (November, December, New Year, carnival), which are less regular. Check the listings on Instagram before you go.

How much is entry to La Grotta?

In 2026, between €7 and €15 depending on the price tier, plus booking fees. The New Year gala costs €120 with dinner.

What is the age limit for La Grotta?

No age is written down for regular parties; in Malta, you can drink alcohol from 17. The New Year gala is for guests aged 21 and over. ID may be asked for at the door.

How do you get back to Malta after a party at La Grotta?

By taxi to Mġarr harbour, then the Gozo Channel ferry to Ċirkewwa: it runs all night and costs €4.65 for a foot passenger. The fast ferry to Valletta doesn't leave until 5:45am.

Is it really in a cave?

Yes. The indoor dance floor is in a natural cave carved into the cliff. In summer, a second dance floor is open air, facing the Xlendi valley.

How long has La Grotta been around?

The club officially opened in 1986, and it still puts on parties every season.

Independent information page: Malta Adventures is not affiliated with this venue and does not sell its entry. Hours and prices can change: check its social media before you go.