It is said that the town of Xaghra took its name from ‘Xagħret l-Għazzenin’, which translates to the “land of the lazy ones”, as farmers from all over Gozo used to go there with their flocks of sheep and goats, and while the animals feed on the grass, the farmers would spend the day relaxing, chatting and playing music.

The Parish Church of Xagħra is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories, also known as ‘il-Bambina’. The feast is celebrated on the 8th of September and commemorates the victory of the Maltese under the Knights of St. John over the Ottoman Turks in the Great Siege of 1565. It is one of the most beautiful churches in Gozo, with its richly-decorated interior, gilt sculptures, Italian marbles and paintings.

The town is home the UNESCO World Heritage Ġgantija megalithic temples, which date back to the year 3600BC, making them amongst the oldest freestanding stone structures in the world.

The town is also home to Xerri’s Grotto and  Ninu’s Cave,  both of which are located beneath private houses but open to the public, with remarkable stalactites and stalagmites.

Calypso Cave is a great spot overlooking the red sandy beach, Ramla l-Ħamra. This popular summer hotspot is idyllic to visit at any time of year.

Dating back to 1725, Ta’ Kola windmill is one of the  last two remaining complete and fully functioning mills on the Maltese Islands, although today it is just for show.

At the ground floor of this historical windmill, visitors can observe the workshop premises that holds a vast array of tools, some of which were manufactured by the last owners of the mill. On the first floor, the living quarters of the miller, including the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms, were recreated using traditional furniture and items related to Gozitan crafts, to provide a glimpse of this island’s local traditional rural life in the past centuries. Various traditional utensils and cooking ware, which today are hard to come across, are exhibited in the kitchen of this windmill.

As a holiday resort, Xaghra offers some fantastic views of the Gozitan landscape, it presents itself with an old fashioned and laid back lifestyle, friendly people and very safe to stay. Don’t miss out on Xagħra’s lively Victory Square with several bars and restaurants for entertainment.