Dwejra Bay offers natural beauty, history and a good cup of coffee
“We cannot change the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
Within a stone’s throw of each other, the Azure Window, Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and a roman road can be found at Dwejra Bay. (And there is a place with good coffee as well.)
The Azure Window (Unfortunately, this has since collapsed, see photos below)
The Azure Window is the clear draw to this area of the island. It is the grandest feature on a striking seascape, and it is well worth visiting. A large natural archway that extends out from the island into the sea, the Window is destined to collapse someday. For now, tourists can enjoy it in all of its gravity defying glory, and the lucky visitors will visit when the sea is turbulent and throwing up sprays high enough and with enough water to drench onlookers who dare to get too close to the window.
For the uninitiated, the first spray can be quite a surprise. Those who are slow to catch on may even find the second wave surprising. It isn’t so much that the waves themselves are the surprise. After all, this is the sea. It’s supposed to have waves. It’s just that the water seems so far away. The waves reach up into the heavens blurring the line between air and water as the crash into the rock below. This sprays the questionably safe viewing areas.
Brave the spray, O, Traveler, who has come this far. Do not let uneven terrain or water stop you from seeing the Azure Window. Just be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you have good footing. Even the careful observer will not avoid getting wet, but the photo opportunity is too good to pass up.
Fungus Rock
You can’t visit Fungus Rock, you can only see it from afar. Named for the indigenous fungus that can only be found on this particular chunk of rock near Gozo, the island is protected. Trespassers will be fined and probably jailed. Of course, that is far better than what would have happened if the Knights of Malta caught you trespassing on the island.
The knights believed that the fungus had supernatural medicinal powers. They set up a guard to watch the island, and if anyone attempted to get on the rock, the trespasser was killed with no trial. Modern science has concluded that the fungus has no medicinal properties. However, biodiversity is worth protecting, and the fungus still has its rick to call home.
The Inland Sea
The Inland Sea is fed by an 80 meter long tunnel that comes from the Mediterranean. As the waves come through the tunnel, they create waves at the shore of the Inland Sea.
The Roman Road
If the bus driver pointed out the Roman Road on your way in, do not be intimidated. It is not that far away on foot. People without mobility issues should be able to cover the distance from the parking area to the Roman Road in under 10 minutes. There is only a minor incline.
Coffee Lovers
Those who love coffee should head from the parking lot toward the Inland Sea. The sit down restaurant to the right at the top of road sells a good cappuccino.
Bella Vista Farmhouses
Basilica of Ta' Pinu and Cittadella
Gelato at Xlendi
The magic of Calypso at Ramla Bay
Within a stone’s throw of each other, the Azure Window, Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and a roman road can be found at Dwejra Bay. (And there is a place with good coffee as well.)
The Azure Window (Unfortunately, this has since collapsed, see photos below)
The Azure Window is the clear draw to this area of the island. It is the grandest feature on a striking seascape, and it is well worth visiting. A large natural archway that extends out from the island into the sea, the Window is destined to collapse someday. For now, tourists can enjoy it in all of its gravity defying glory, and the lucky visitors will visit when the sea is turbulent and throwing up sprays high enough and with enough water to drench onlookers who dare to get too close to the window.
For the uninitiated, the first spray can be quite a surprise. Those who are slow to catch on may even find the second wave surprising. It isn’t so much that the waves themselves are the surprise. After all, this is the sea. It’s supposed to have waves. It’s just that the water seems so far away. The waves reach up into the heavens blurring the line between air and water as the crash into the rock below. This sprays the questionably safe viewing areas.
Brave the spray, O, Traveler, who has come this far. Do not let uneven terrain or water stop you from seeing the Azure Window. Just be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you have good footing. Even the careful observer will not avoid getting wet, but the photo opportunity is too good to pass up.
Fungus Rock
You can’t visit Fungus Rock, you can only see it from afar. Named for the indigenous fungus that can only be found on this particular chunk of rock near Gozo, the island is protected. Trespassers will be fined and probably jailed. Of course, that is far better than what would have happened if the Knights of Malta caught you trespassing on the island.
The knights believed that the fungus had supernatural medicinal powers. They set up a guard to watch the island, and if anyone attempted to get on the rock, the trespasser was killed with no trial. Modern science has concluded that the fungus has no medicinal properties. However, biodiversity is worth protecting, and the fungus still has its rick to call home.
The Inland Sea
The Inland Sea is fed by an 80 meter long tunnel that comes from the Mediterranean. As the waves come through the tunnel, they create waves at the shore of the Inland Sea.
The Roman Road
If the bus driver pointed out the Roman Road on your way in, do not be intimidated. It is not that far away on foot. People without mobility issues should be able to cover the distance from the parking area to the Roman Road in under 10 minutes. There is only a minor incline.
Coffee Lovers
Those who love coffee should head from the parking lot toward the Inland Sea. The sit down restaurant to the right at the top of road sells a good cappuccino.
Bella Vista Farmhouses
Basilica of Ta' Pinu and Cittadella
Gelato at Xlendi
The magic of Calypso at Ramla Bay