When you’re planning a trip to Europe, you’re usually spoiled for choice when it comes to world-class culture. But if you’re looking to get ahead of the crowds, you might want to add a tiny Mediterranean city to your travel list.
If you’re not familiar with Victoria, you’re not the only one. It’s a city on Gozo, the smaller, quieter of the two main islands that make up Malta, just a short ferry ride from the mainland. Even seasoned Malta regulars might only know it as a three-hour pitstop where you grab lunch and snap a photo of the medieval Citadel while ticking off Gozo in an afternoon.
But that’s all about to change, as Victoria has officially been crowned the European Capital of Culture for 2031.
How is the European Capital of Culture decided?
Landing the title is no small feat. It’s a nine-month knockout tournament, judged by an independent panel of EU and national experts. First, candidate cities have to throw their hats in the ring with an initial proposal just to make the shortlist. Then, they must submit a ‘bid book’, presenting in person to prove they have the long-term cultural strategy, the European relevance, and the infrastructure to pull it off. Following a final showdown meeting in Valletta, Victoria officially clinched the prize.
In Malta’s case, two cities entered the race after applications opened in October 2024. Of course, Victoria was in the mix, but so was Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, one of the historic Three Cities across the harbour from Valletta. Birgu was eliminated at the pre-selection stage back in November 2025, leaving Victoria to go it alone into the final round. This is only the second time a Maltese city has snagged the title, following in the footsteps of Valletta back in 2018.
Victoria managed to seal the deal with a vision called ‘Island of Islands’, a theme designed to reframe Gozo as a tightly connected network of local communities and traditions rather than just an isolated rock in the sea. According to EU Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef, the whole project will explore the island through three Mediterranean threads of Coast, Salt and Waves.
If that sounds a bit conceptual, Samuel Azzopardi, the head of the Victoria 2031 Foundation, summed up the vibe of the upcoming cultural revamp down to three main pillars: slowness, care and courage. Essentially, it’s about celebrating the slower, more intentional pace of life that makes Gozo so special in the first place, while injecting it with a bit of artistic bravery.
Sitting right at the geographical heart of Gozo, the island’s capital has two names. Victoria was the name given to the town in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. But if you ask a local, they’ll tell you it’s Ir-Rabat.
And the crown jewel here is the Citadel. This fortified, medieval hilltop old town looks like something straight out of a fantasy epic, serving up 360-degree views across almost the entire island. Right beneath the ancient fortress walls lies a bustling, living town packed with lively squares, independent shops, pavement cafés, and the central bus station where all roads on the island eventually meet.
Did you see that Interrail is having a massive half-price sale for one week only?
Plus: This beautiful European capital has been named the world’s ‘happiest‘ travel destination.
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