How to Plan a Gozo Wellness Retreat

Rebecca Agius Jager

There are a few things essential to a good reset. Rest for the mind; exercise for the body; and a beautiful environment for the soul. Gozo, a little island in the Mediterranean, only a short distance off the European mainland, combines them all. Here’s why you should plan your next wellness holiday in Gozo.

Bringing Wellness to Gozo

Wellness includes much more than just switching up your mindset. Gozo, which is a part of the Maltese archipelago, notorious for its raw and organic charm, has mastered the practice. Over the past decades, the breathtaking scenery and natural terrain for invigorating activities, have combined to make the island the perfect wellness holiday destination. Gozo is geographically and infrastructurally predisposed to contain all the factors of a good reset.

Environment: the Sea and Sky

Photo Сredits: Love Malta. Photography by: Shana Fenech, Jerome Delia

A run in the city is never as satisfying as a run on the beach. In other words, your environment has a tremendous impact on the quality of your wellbeing holiday. Gozo is blessed with the classic Mediterranean geography. The weather is always pleasantly warm and it rarely rains. It’s important to note that Gozo is secluded enough, especially during this time, to give you the solitude you most seek on a wellness holiday. However, it is very well connected to mainland Malta, so arriving there from the airport and even paying a visit to other notable sites situated on other islands of the archipelago is no difficult feat.

The high temperatures mean a warm sea to swim in. The sea averages at 21 degrees, remaining swimmable well into November. Swimming in salt water has many health benefits. It will boost your cardiovascular health and improve agility. Cooler morning swims are a great ritual as you will feel productive and refreshed in the morning, but you will also prepare your body and metabolism for the day ahead.

Photo Сredits: Love Malta. Photography by: Shana Fenech, Jerome Delia

Exposure to the sea and nature, specifically on a small, environmentally conscious island like Gozo, means better air quality. What’s more, living in a postcard with serene views, calming smells and milder hues around you has a soothing effect on your mind. The same way that the sound of waves can put you to sleep at night, Gozo’s rocky beaches, historical walls and typical vegetation will put your mind at rest. Such environments leave you feeling happier than you arrived with a daily boost of serotonin. 

Wellness Resorts and Spas in Gozo

When you take care of your mind, your body will show results too. An offering you will find easily in Gozo that prioritizes this dual effect are spas. There are many spas specializing in physical therapy, massages and other traditional practices. You can opt for some wellness centers on the island such as Nikara, which offers Shamanic sound healing, and Kinetika Gozo. Many hotels also feature spas. If you wish to fully immerse yourself, you can book a resort specifically offering wellness retreats and holidays in Gozo, like Samudra Retreats, Amchara, or Art of Touch. If you wish to retain more flexibility, you can simply book specific services like saunas. An added benefit of selecting Gozo for your wellness holiday destination is that the island functions like a spa itself. A simple visit to the famous Xwejni Salt Pans has the effect of a salt cave.

The Salt Pans. Photo Сredits: Love Malta. Photography by: Shana Fenech, Jerome Delia

Sport and Food

Exercise and food are a key part of a detox retreat. Gozo offers a variety of sports activities, from serene to extreme. You can book yoga and pilates classes in places like Yellow Rock Yoga Gozo. Other sports include rock climbing and abseiling, horse riding and driving buggies. The most typical sport to try in Gozo is diving. The island is full of internationally renowned diving locations, several of which are in Dwejra bay. 

Gozo Wellness Farms 

Once you get your heart racing, treat your body to clean, fresh food. Gozo is entering its harvest and fishing seasons in the upcoming months. You can join several estates in their daily farming activities and experience rural Malta. You can try your hand in Gozitan rural cuisine or just enjoy the presence of a farmer’s best friend at spots like Dreams of Horses Farm. 

Sanap Cliffs. Photo Сredits: Love Malta. Photography by: Shana Fenech, Jerome Delia

Beauty Services

Finally, several service providers focus on cosmetic and beauty processes. The Secret Day Spa in Xaghra, for example, offers spa, waxing and even makeup services. If you wish to prioritize mindfulness on your wellness holiday in Gozo, however, you can book an array of other activities like painting and pottery classes, photography, or other crafts. It is easy to look for beauty in beautiful places like Gozo.

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