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Xewkija
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Xewkija, Gozo, offers Malta sightseeing through its vast Rotunda, limestone village streets, parish traditions and central access to Gozan heritage.

A Village at Gozo’s Centre

Xewkija occupies a central position on the Maltese island of Gozo, between the island’s capital, Victoria, and the ferry harbour at Mġarr. Its streets spread around the enormous Rotunda of St John the Baptist, whose broad limestone dome dominates the local skyline and serves as one of Gozo’s most recognisable landmarks. Although Xewkija is an established village rather than a resort, its central location makes it a useful base for exploring the island’s churches, countryside and coastal settlements.
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The Rotunda and Village Life

The parish church is the centre of Xewkija’s identity. Built in the twentieth century to replace an earlier parish church, it is known for its large unsupported dome, reached by a staircase and lift when access arrangements permit. Inside, visitors find a spacious interior shaped by Gozo’s Roman Catholic traditions, with decorated stonework, paintings and religious artworks. The surrounding streets retain a quieter residential character, with honey-coloured limestone façades, balconies, small squares and everyday village life rather than a concentration of tourist businesses.

Heritage Beyond the Main Square

Xewkija’s story reaches further back than its celebrated church. The village was recognised as a parish in the seventeenth century, and older chapels and rural traces reflect the long settlement history of central Gozo. St Cecilia’s Chapel, a surviving medieval religious building in the surrounding countryside, offers a more intimate contrast to the Rotunda’s scale. Local festas, especially the annual celebration of St John the Baptist, bring processions, music, decorations and community gatherings to the village, revealing the continuing importance of parish traditions in Gozitan life.

When is the best time to visit Xewkija?

Best: May–June, October · 25–30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1890
February1870
March1850
April2130
May (best)2520
June (best)305
July335
August335
September3120
October (best)2740
November2360
December1980

Getting to and around Xewkija

How to get there

Xewkija is on Gozo, so most international visitors first travel from Malta to Gozo by ferry. Malta International Airport is the principal air gateway; from the airport, travellers can continue by taxi, hire car or public transport towards Ċirkewwa, where the regular passenger and vehicle ferry crosses to Mġarr Harbour. Gozo Channel services operate between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr, while a fast passenger ferry also links Gozo with Valletta when operating. From Mġarr, Xewkija is reached by bus, taxi or car. There is no airport or railway in Xewkija, and schedules should be checked before travelling, particularly outside the main summer season.

Transportation

Xewkija is compact enough to explore on foot around the Rotunda and central streets, although walking beyond the village can involve exposed roads and rural lanes. Malta Public Transport buses connect Xewkija with Victoria, Mġarr and other Gozo settlements, but services may be less frequent in the evening or on Sundays. Taxis and pre-arranged transfers are useful for linking the village with the ferry harbour or for visiting scattered rural sites. A hire car offers flexibility across Gozo, while bicycles and e-bikes suit confident riders; roads can be narrow, hilly and busy near major junctions. Driving is on the left, as throughout Malta.

Best attractions in Xewkija

Xewkija’s principal attraction is the Rotunda of St John the Baptist, whose immense dome and spacious interior dominate the village and provide a striking introduction to Gozan religious architecture. Visitors can explore the church’s limestone interior, devotional artworks and parish setting, subject to worship and access arrangements. Around it, quiet lanes reveal traditional Maltese building materials, enclosed balconies and village squares rather than a dense tourist quarter. St Cecilia’s Chapel offers a very different experience: this small rural sanctuary preserves a more intimate, medieval character and sits within the countryside associated with Xewkija’s older religious landscape. The village is also a useful starting point for reaching central Gozo’s fields, country roads and neighbouring communities, while annual celebrations for St John the Baptist add processions, music and decorated streets to the local calendar. The appeal lies in observing how a monumental church, modest residential streets and enduring parish customs coexist within a working Gozan village.

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Best landmarks in Xewkija

The Rotunda of St John the Baptist is Xewkija’s defining landmark, a vast twentieth-century parish church built in local limestone after the earlier church became too small for the congregation. Its enormous dome, completed as part of the rebuilding project begun in 1951, is an imposing expression of parish ambition and communal effort. Inside, broad galleries, stone detailing and religious artworks create a sense of scale unusual for a Gozan village church. St Cecilia’s Chapel provides a historical counterpoint: smaller, rural and medieval in character, it reflects the older network of chapels that served scattered communities before the modern Rotunda was built. The parish square and surrounding streets are landmarks of a different kind, preserving the village’s social setting through limestone façades, balconies and routes shaped by church life. Together, these places show Xewkija’s passage from rural parish to a village recognised across Gozo by its monumental skyline.

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Best restaurants in Xewkija

Dining in Xewkija is shaped by Gozo’s rural traditions and by the practical scale of a residential village. Local menus may feature Maltese and Gozitan staples such as gbejna, the island’s small sheep’s-cheeselet, rabbit, pastizzi, ftira and rich vegetable dishes, often alongside pasta, fish and Mediterranean preparations. Gozo’s produce, including tomatoes, potatoes, olives, honey and seasonal fruit, gives village cooking a strong connection with the surrounding fields. Around the Rotunda and central roads, visitors find cafés, bakeries and modest places to eat, while a wider choice of restaurants is available in nearby Victoria and other Gozo settlements. Traditional snacks are useful for a quick daytime stop, whereas village restaurants tend to offer a slower meal influenced by Maltese home cooking. Menus and opening patterns can be seasonal, so smaller establishments may require advance checking.

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Best bars in Xewkija

Xewkija has a subdued evening scene centred on local cafés, parish social life and traditional village bars rather than dedicated nightclubs. A drink in the vicinity of the Rotunda can be part of an ordinary Gozan evening, with residents meeting for conversation and visitors observing the village atmosphere. During the festa of St John the Baptist, music, decorations, processions and community events create a much livelier public setting, although the character remains local and religious rather than club-focused. For a broader choice of wine bars, pubs, live music and late-night venues, travellers generally look towards Victoria, the island’s main urban centre, or resort areas elsewhere in Gozo. Evening travel between villages is easier when transport is arranged in advance, as rural bus services may be limited later in the day.

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Best nightclubs in Xewkija

Xewkija has a subdued evening scene centred on local cafés, parish social life and traditional village bars rather than dedicated nightclubs. A drink in the vicinity of the Rotunda can be part of an ordinary Gozan evening, with residents meeting for conversation and visitors observing the village atmosphere. During the festa of St John the Baptist, music, decorations, processions and community events create a much livelier public setting, although the character remains local and religious rather than club-focused. For a broader choice of wine bars, pubs, live music and late-night venues, travellers generally look towards Victoria, the island’s main urban centre, or resort areas elsewhere in Gozo. Evening travel between villages is easier when transport is arranged in advance, as rural bus services may be limited later in the day.

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Best shops in Xewkija

Shopping in Xewkija is modest and local in character, with everyday village shops, small food businesses and cafés rather than a concentrated retail district. Visitors interested in Gozan products can look for gbejna, local honey, preserves, olive oil, wine, liqueurs and seasonal produce, although availability varies between businesses and seasons. Maltese lace, pottery, glasswork and other crafts are more commonly found through specialist retailers and craft outlets elsewhere on Gozo, particularly in Victoria and larger tourist centres. The village’s most meaningful purchases are often edible or locally made rather than luxury goods, reflecting the island’s agricultural traditions. For a wider choice of shops, supermarkets, gifts and artisan products, Victoria is the practical nearby centre. Respect private property and agricultural land when exploring rural lanes, as not every roadside stall or farm entrance is a public shop.

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Xewkija essentials

Currency and Payment
Malta uses the euro, with the international currency code EUR. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, supermarkets, larger restaurants and many visitor businesses, but smaller cafés, kiosks and rural establishments may still prefer cash or have a minimum card spend. ATMs are available across Gozo, particularly in larger settlements, though it is sensible to carry a modest amount of euros when visiting villages or travelling into the countryside. International visitors should check their bank’s foreign transaction charges and choose carefully between paying in euros or accepting a card provider’s currency conversion.
Safety
Xewkija is generally a quiet village, but ordinary travel precautions remain appropriate. Keep valuables secure in busy transport areas, around ferry connections and during crowded festa events, and take care on uneven limestone pavements or poorly lit rural roads. Summer heat can be intense, so carry water and use sun protection, particularly when walking between villages. If driving, remember that Maltese roads may be narrow and local traffic can be assertive; rural routes should not be treated as pedestrian-free. At night, use a torch or reflective clothing on country lanes and arrange transport rather than walking along roads without pavements.
Emergency Situations
The national emergency number in Malta is 112, covering police, fire and ambulance services. Give the operator the exact location, explain the nature of the emergency and state that you are in Xewkija, Gozo; local landmarks such as the Rotunda of St John the Baptist can help identify the area. For non-urgent police matters, use the local police service rather than tying up emergency lines. Visitors should carry travel insurance details, identification and information about prescribed medicines. In a medical emergency, ambulance staff can direct patients to the appropriate Gozo healthcare facility or onward care in Malta when necessary.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering the Rotunda or another chapel, covering shoulders and avoiding very short clothing, and keep voices low during services. Ask before photographing worshippers, religious ceremonies or private celebrations, and never touch devotional objects or enter restricted areas. During a festa, follow procession routes and local instructions, as streets may be temporarily crowded or closed. Tipping is not compulsory but rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is customary. Do not assume that rural paths are public shortcuts, and avoid climbing walls, entering fields or disturbing agricultural land.
Local Tips
Xewkija is best understood as part of central Gozo rather than as a standalone resort, so combine a visit to the Rotunda with nearby Victoria or a wider island route. Morning and late afternoon are more comfortable for walking in the warmer months, while the village’s parish square and streets offer a useful glimpse of everyday Gozitan life. Check whether St Cecilia’s Chapel is open before making a special journey, as smaller religious buildings may have limited access. During festa periods, expect decorations, music and a stronger community atmosphere than on ordinary days, with transport and parking potentially more complicated.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonġu[bon-joo]
GoodbyeĊaw[chaw]
YesIva[ee-va]
NoLe[lay]
Please/You're welcomeJekk jogħġbok[yek joh-jo-book]
Thank youGrazzi[grat-see]
Excuse me/SorrySkuzani[skoo-za-nee]
How are you?Kif int?[keef eent]
Fine. And you?Tajjeb. U int?[tai-yeb ooh eent]
Do you speak English?Titkellem bl-Ingliż?[teet-kel-lem bul-een-gleez]
I don't understandMa nifhimx[mah neef-heemsh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseNixtieq inara l-menù, jekk jogħġbok[nishtee-ek in-ara l-men-oo yek joh-jo-book]
I don't eat meatMa niekolx laħam[mah nee-ekolsh la-ham]
Cheers!Saħħa![sa-ha]
I would like to pay, pleaseNixtieq nħallas, jekk jogħġbok[nishtee-ek nal-las yek joh-jo-book]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Għiduni![eed-oo-nee]
Go away!Ibqa'[ib-qa]
Call the Police!Ċempil il-Pulizija![chem-pil eel-poo-lee-zee-ya]
Call a doctor!Ċempil tabib![chem-pil ta-beeb]
I'm lostNinsab magħluq[nin-sab ma-luk]
I'm illJien imdejjaq[yee-en im-dey-yak]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Nixtieq inixtri...[nishtee-ek in-ees-tree]
I'm just lookingQed nara biss[ked na-ra beess]
How much is it?Kemm jiswa?[kem yis-wa]
That's too expensiveDak huwa wisq sħiħ[dak hoo-wa wees-sh saw]
Can you lower the price?Tista' taħdem il-prezz?[tis-ta tahd-em eel-prezz]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?X'ħin huwa?[shin hoo-wa]
It's one o'clockHuwa l-ewwel siegħa[hoo-wa lewel see-eha]
Half past (10)Noxtri[no-shtri]
MorningFilgħodu[fil-gho-du]
AfternoonWaranofsinhar[wa-ra-no-fsi-nar]
EveningWaranotte[wa-ra-not-te]
YesterdayIlbieraħ[il-beer-ah]
TodayIllum[i-loom]
TomorrowGħada[ada]
1Wieħed[wee-hed]
2Tnejn[t-neyn]
3Tlieta[t-lee-ta]
4Erba'[er-ba]
5Ħamsa[ham-sa]
6Sitta[sit-ta]
7Sebgħa[seb-gha]
8Tmienja[t-mee-en-ya]
9Disgħa[dis-gha]
10Għaxra[a-ra]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Fejn hemm...[feyn hemm]
What's the address?X'inhu l-indirizz?[shin-hoo l-ind-ee-reesh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Tista' turiini (fuq il-mappa)?[tis-ta too-ree-nee fuq eel-map-pa]
When's the next (bus)?Meta jasal il-ġej?[meh-ta ya-sal il-je]
A ticket (to ....)Biljett (għal ....)[bil-yet gal]

History of Xewkija

Early Settlement in Central Gozo

Xewkija stands in an area shaped by Gozo’s long agricultural and settlement history. The surrounding island has evidence of prehistoric communities, later Roman activity and medieval rural life, although the modern village developed gradually rather than from a single known foundation. Its central position connected farming communities and routes between the island’s important settlements. The name Xewkija is generally associated with the Maltese word xewk, meaning thorn, reflecting the scrubby landscape that once formed part of the local environment. As elsewhere in Gozo, limestone, cultivated fields and small rural chapels provided the physical setting for a community whose life was closely tied to land, parish and seasonal work.

The Parish Takes Shape

Xewkija became an independent parish in 1678, a significant step in the village’s religious and civic development. Parish status gave local residents a stronger institutional identity and made the village church the focus of administration, worship and communal life. The period belonged to the rule of the Order of St John, which governed Malta and Gozo from 1530 until 1798. Under this system, Gozo remained predominantly rural, with villages organised around churches, fields and small craft economies. Xewkija’s parish community grew around its earlier church, while chapels and countryside landmarks preserved links with older forms of devotion and settlement.

Chapels and Rural Religious Heritage

Before the present Rotunda transformed the skyline, Xewkija’s heritage was expressed through its parish church and smaller rural chapels. St Cecilia’s Chapel is especially important as a surviving medieval building associated with the village’s religious landscape. Its scale and rural setting contrast with the monumental church that came later, offering evidence of earlier devotional practices and the island’s tradition of building in local limestone. These chapels also reflect the dispersed character of Gozo, where agricultural communities combined parish worship with smaller sanctuaries linked to fields, villages and particular saints.

A New Parish Church

By the twentieth century, Xewkija’s original parish church could no longer accommodate the growing congregation, leading to the construction of a much larger church dedicated to St John the Baptist. Work on the present Rotunda began in 1951, and the building was completed and consecrated in the 1970s. The project was a major communal undertaking, with residents contributing labour, materials and financial support. Built in Malta’s characteristic limestone, the church created an immense interior beneath its dome while preserving the parish’s older religious identity. Elements from the former church were incorporated into the new building, linking Xewkija’s modern landmark with its earlier history.

Contemporary Xewkija

Modern Xewkija remains a residential and parish-centred village within the wider urban network of central Gozo. The Rotunda has become both a place of worship and an architectural reference point for visitors travelling between Victoria and Mġarr. Local festivities continue to connect religious observance with music, street decoration, processions and social gatherings, particularly around the feast of St John the Baptist. At the same time, the village’s quieter lanes and agricultural edges retain a distinctly Gozitan character. Xewkija’s contemporary identity therefore combines a major twentieth-century monument with older patterns of village life, chapel devotion and community organisation.

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Evendo is the ultimate travel guide app for exploring Xewkija, Malta. Discover attractions, landmarks, local tips, and book hotels and tours—all in one free app.

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Welcome to Xewkija, Malta! Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo is your perfect companion for navigating this charming village. With Evendo, you can explore famous landmarks like the Rotunda of Xewkija, the oldest village church, and the stunning Mgarr ix-Xini Bay, known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque views.

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