What it is like
The far eastern end of the island, where the road runs out at the channel. Qala is quiet, low built and residential, with St Joseph’s and a square at the centre of it and the ground dropping away east towards Comino. It has grown quickly in the last twenty years, and the newer development on the approach roads is not its best feature. The views from the cliff edge are.
What is actually here
St Joseph’s was built between 1882 and 1889, consecrated in 1904 and made archipresbyteral in 1965. Its architect, Dun Ġużepp Diacono, was the parish priest at the time.
Two older churches matter more. Il-Madonna tal-Blat, St Mary of the Rocks, stands on the cliff looking straight at Comino, built so islanders could hear Mass when the sea kept a priest from crossing. The church of the Immaculate Conception, on the way down to Ħondoq, goes back to 1575 and was the parish church of the whole eastern half of Gozo for about twelve years from 1688. Għar Minka, a cave on the coast, can be reached by boat.
Ħondoq ir-Rummien
The bay below the village is the reason most people come. It holds Blue Flag status, faces east, and has sunbeds, showers, kiosks, boat and kayak hire and enough parking. Being east facing it is good at sunrise and sheltered when the northwesterly is up, and it is busy for most of July and August.
Getting there
Buses from Victoria take about twenty minutes through Nadur or Għajnsielem. Bus 303 stops at Kunċizzjoni for Ħondoq, about fifteen minutes on foot above the bay. Tal-Mulejja bakery is on Nadur Street if you want something for the beach on the way down.
When to come
The festa is on the first weekend of August, and the Qala International Folk Festival runs in autumn. For the bay, late spring and September are better than high summer.
Staying near Qala
Prices and availability come from the booking sites, not from us, and we have not stayed in any of these. How this site is paid for.
Questions about Qala
How do I get to Ħondoq ir-Rummien by bus?
Bus 303 stops at Kunċizzjoni, roughly a fifteen minute walk from the bay. The walk is downhill on the way there and uphill on the way back, which matters in July. There is ample parking at the bay itself if you have a car.
What is the chapel facing Comino?
Il-Madonna tal-Blat, St Mary of the Rocks. The tradition is that it was built so the few people living on Comino could attend Mass from their own side of the channel when rough seas stopped a priest crossing. It stands on the cliff edge with the channel in front of it.
Is Ħondoq good for swimming?
Yes. It is a small bay with clear water, facing east and therefore sheltered from the prevailing northwesterlies, and it has facilities and parking. The sand fills first in July and August, so most people end up on the rocks to either side.
Which is the oldest church in Qala?
The church of the Immaculate Conception, between the village and Ħondoq, which dates to 1575 and was enlarged in the early 1650s. It served as parish church for eastern Gozo for about twelve years from 1688, covering Nadur, Qala and Għajnsielem, and was Qala's own parish church from 1872 to 1889. Its altarpiece is attributed to Federico Barocci and its festa is 8 December.