While often confused with the very popular Calypso Cave, Tal-Mixta is the iconic seaside cliff cave overlooking Ramla Bay (Ramla l-Hamra) on the island of Gozo, Malta.
While often seen on billboards and tourism advertisements, the truth is that Tal Mixta is still one of Gozo’s hidden gems, and a spot you’ll want to head up to for amazing sunset views over the iconic red sands of Ramla Beach’s red sands.
In this travel guide, I’ll detail everything you need to know about Tal Mixta Cave, and include photos from my visit in hopes of inspiring your travels to this beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea!
Where is Tal Mixta Cave?
Tal-Mixta Cave (L Ghar Tal Mixta in Maltese) is a cliffside cave located high up on the headland directly east of the idyllic bay of Ramla l-Hamra on the outskirts of Nadur Village on the eastern side of Gozo Island.
Below I've pinned the exact location for the cave to help you find it. However, if you continue reading below, I'll outline the two best ways to reach the cave.
How to Get to Tal Mixta Cave
There are two ways to get to Tal Mixta Cave, both are quite easy and require little effort.
1. Drive to the Cave Parking Lot
The first is to drive your car or ATV to the headland just above Ramla Bay (Rdum il-Kbir). You can follow the road called Triq l-Għassa tal-Maħraġ, all the way down to the end. You'll see a small sign indicating the area to park your car.
From here, it's a very short walk to the back entrance of Tal Mixta Cave, following a short descending staircase into the main cavern.
Travel tip: the best way to travel and explore the Maltese Islands is by renting your own car! While you can pick up a car in Gozo, I highly recommend checking DiscoverCars for listings at the Malta international airport. The prices here are usually much cheaper and offer more variety of vehicle options.
Hiking to Mixta Cave from Ramla Beach
Alternatively, travelers looking to visit Mixta Cave from the beach will find another longer route running up the cliff on the east side of the bay. The walk only takes about 10 minutes but is a little steep in some sections, following an unsealed dirt track and finally winding up around some rough stones on the side of the cave.
Here is the second of the two small openings to get into this secluded cave.
You'll need to bend over to get inside from this small rocky entrance.
My Experience at Tal Mixta Cave & Ramla Beach Viewpoint
As we entered Tal Mixta Cave, we were immediately drawn to the large overhanging rock opening, offering an amazing vantage point over Ramla Bay and the open sea of the northern coast.
This is a popular site to snap some holiday photos of one of Malta's best beaches, especially during sunset! The roof is at least 5 meters tall and the main cavern is very wide, with plenty of room for people to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Also, turning around, you'll likely notice some small fireplaces, which seem to be made by some Gozitan locals coming here to hang out.
Tip: While also worth checking out, tourists often confuse Mixta Cave with the popular Calypso Cave. Tal Mixta is located on the opposite side of the iconic Calypso Cave and is a separate viewpoint.
Finding the Hidden Cave Viewpoint & Side Access
While Tal Mixta cave is still considered a local hidden gem, it has gained popularity with travelers of late.
If you find the cave is a little crowded like we did, or you'd prefer to get a more private viewpoint, head out through the small rock entrance on the right side of the cave. This is easy to spot and we could turn around and climb up some large rocks to another, much smaller cave viewpoint.
Below is a photo from this spot with great views of Ramla Bay beneath.
Short History of Mixta Cave on Gozo
When I visited, I was expecting just an awesome cave a great viewpoint. However, what I found out is that it's also got a unique and interesting history!
Pre-History
Apparently, the word mixta comes from the Maltese name mxett, which represents shelter during cold winters. In fact, the cave is said to be one of the last intact troglodytic habitats on Gozo.
These troglodytic people were a prehistoric race dating back to at least 2,000 BCE and lived in caves very similar to this one on the Maltese archipelago. This assumption stems from archeological findings of bronze age pottery inside the cave.
Mixta Cave in the Time of the Knights of Malta
Fast-forwarding a few thousand years, Tal Mixta cave turns up in the history books when invading pirate vessels landed on Gozo in search of supplies. These pirates orchestrated an attack via Ramla Bay which resulted in a Gozitan family being taken captive.
Illustrating the need for fortification in Ramla Bay, the then-ruling Knights of Saint John fortified Tal-Mixta Cave with large stones and put cannons facing the open sea. Additionally, this hidden cave proved to be a useful vantage point for the Knights of St. John, as they could spot invading armies while an entrenchment wall made the cavern entrance invisible from the open Meditteranean Sea.
Where to Stay On Gozo
Due to its small size and well-connected network of buses and roads, choosing the ideal location to stay in Gozo is less crucial than on the main island of Malta.
However, if you ask, locals will always tell you that to get the complete Gozitan experience, what's more important is picking a traditional boutique hotel over a luxury resort or modern hotel. You'll find many boutique hotels in Gozo dotted all over the island, from Nadur to Xlendi. Below are the 3 top picks.
1.
Accommodation on Malta’s quieter sister island should reflect its more peaceful and traditional ambiance. This beautifully renovated boutique hotel is situated directly beside the Nadur Parish Church, with spacious balcony terraces looking over the town square.
2. Viewpoint Boutique Living - Xlendi
This family-run boutique hotel dates back 300 years and is situated on a beautiful cliff overlooking the Xlendi Valley and the Mediterranean Sea. The location is ideal for couples looking to get away, with convenient access to the beach and just a short 2 km drive to the Citadella.
3. Kempinski Hotel - San Lawrenz
For travelers preferring modern, 5-star luxury, the Kempinski Hotel is your best bet. This amazing hotel is located in San Lawrenz, on a 30,000m² tropical oasis. An excellent choice for larger groups and families as there are self-catering apartment options as well!
I hope that you've enjoyed this short but useful travel guide to visiting Tal Mixta Cave on Gozo Island!
Take a pick below for more Malta travel inspiration and adventure ideas!
- 70+ Things to do in Malta - my ultimate Maltese Travel Guide covering all the must-see attractions and hidden gems in the archipelago.
- 16 Things to do on Comino - my detailed guide to the island of Comino
- 40 Amazing Things to do on Gozo - I explored every corner of Malta's sister island of Gozo to form this comprehensive travel guide
- Best Beaches in Malta - a thorough beach guide covering the most popular spots and plenty of hidden gems
- Guide to Mellieha - a detailed travel guide covering the top 16 things to do in Mellieha
- 26 Things to do in Valletta - I cover my favorite things to do in Malta's capital
- Top Sunset Spoints in Malta - wind down your day at one of these epic sunset locations in Malta
- The Malta Blue Lagoon Guide - the most up-to-date resource on visiting Malta's most popular natural attraction, the Blue Lagoon!
- Accommodation resources: Looking for places to stay? Read my guide to finding where to stay in Malta. Or, for a unique stay, check out this list of great Boutique Hotels in Gozo and more Boutique Hotels in Valletta.