These days, being a nomad traveller is becoming quite a commonplace occurrence and is considered to be a viable lifestyle by many around the world. This is probably due to the growing digital nomad movement, which is characterised by the ability to travel the world as a nomad while working remotely in order to support yourself and your indefinite travels. As you may have guessed, some countries and cities in the world are more suitable to this type of lifestyle than others, and Gozo is fast becoming a sought-after hotspot for digital nomad travellers.
Now you must be asking yourself; what does the tiny island of Gozo have to offer nomad travellers? Well, lots actually. For one, Gozo has a rich and well-preserved culture that dates back centuries, an amazing climate, plenty of activities to explore, value for money, and much, much more. Read on to find out why Gozo is an ideal destination for nomad travellers.
Perfect Weather
Gozo enjoys quite pleasant weather all-year round. The summer season usually boasts 12 hours of sunshine with very hot and dry conditions, whereas spring and autumn are both very mild and lovely with cool temperatures throughout and none of the humidity experienced during summer. When winter rolls around, the weather stays pleasantly cool and slightly warm with only a few windy days here and there, which is quite impressive considering the freezing temperatures experienced by the rest of Europe during this time.
Getting around is easy
There are no railway lines in Gozo so transport is limited to buses, taxis and scooters. However, the most convenient (and cost-effective) form of transport for nomad travellers in Gozo is the hourly bus service, which offers quite a number of routes to explore. While the Hop-on Hop-off bus service is not necessarily designed for getting around the island on a daily basis, it’s still a great way to explore the entire island in under a day.
Internet connectivity
You can access 4G fast mobile internet (powered by Vodafone Malta) from literally anywhere in Gozo, so you’ll always have internet access to upload blogs and videos or to just check your emails. The island’s internet boasts really high speeds that average 15 to 30 mbps, depending on where you’re staying.
Co-working spaces and cafes
Presently, there is no physical co-working space in Gozo. But, there is a growing group of digital nomads that have organised themselves into the ‘Gozo meetup’, which is currently in the process of creating a physical co-working space that is set to open in the near future.
Also, there are several cafes that offer unlimited high-speed WiFi in Gozo such as Mint Café, Books and Cups, Molly’s Café, Talk of Town and Café Juliani, to name but a few.
The Digital Nomad traveller community in Gozo
Surprisingly enough, Malta has a growing community of digital nomads that boasts expat members from all around the world. Most are attracted by the island’s easy-going lifestyle, the friendly locals and the quiet peacefulness that is both inviting and invigorating.
Environment
Gozo has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire world. The vegetation is always lush and green, which only enhances the relaxing atmosphere permeating the island, and makes it the perfect place to go for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing timeout on the Mediterranean. The Gozitan coast on the other hand, is sought-after by scuba divers, who like to explore the underwater attractions that it has to offer, and the water is always mild and warm enough to enjoy a relaxing swim all year round.
Also, one of the biggest drawing cards about Gozo is the fact that it’s quite secluded. Not many tourists go there, and when they do it’s usually as part of a day trip taken from the main island of Malta. So digital nomads see it as one of those ‘undiscovered gems’ that offer an ideally relaxed and easy going lifestyle for the nomad traveller.
Modern amenities
Although the island’s inhabitants have a very relaxed approach to life, Gozo still has all the modern amenities that you’d expect from a well-developed country or city. You’ll also be glad to know that Gozo offers affordable health care, so you’ll be well taken care of just in case you require medical assistance.
No language barrier
Thankfully, language is not something that you have to worry about when travelling to Gozo, as English is one of the island’s official languages. This makes it easy for nomad travellers to communicate with the locals and vice versa. Italian is another widely spoken language in Gozo, thanks to the island’s proximity to Italy, so speaking a little Italian will enable you to communicate with an even wider spectrum of the population.
Food
Gozo is blessed with a culinary diversity of epic proportions, which is made available at surprisingly affordable prices.
Gozitan cuisine is a delightful mix of the Mediterranean flavours of Italy, with noticeable traces of Arabic and Spanish influences. Local delicacies like rabbit stew and snail are mostly served in restaurants that focus on local fare, and while the restaurants and cafes are relatively cheap, there are also plenty of street vendors that sell local delicacies for a fraction of the price you’d pay at a formal establishment
For self-catering purposes, you’ll find a wide assortment of fresh produce and meats available from the local market every day, which you can rest assured is of great quality since it is replenished daily from surrounding farms.
It’s connected with other destinations
Most people get to Gozo via Malta using a ferry. However, you can also use a bus service known as Arriva Malta, which offers a fleet of air-conditioned buses that transport travellers to all of the Maltese islands, including Gozo.
Value for money
Gozo is most probably the cheapest travel destination in Europe, and yet it offers so much value to visitors in the form of attractions, amenities, climate and ambience, that it is really one of the best destinations to travel to as a digital nomad.
However, as with any destination that you travel to, it’s always a good idea to plan your activities in advance so that you can get the most out of your journey. This tip is especially important for nomad travellers who often spend a short amount of time in each destination before moving on to the next adventure.
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