Comino is one of the unique places worth visiting when in Malta. It’s a small island located between Malta and Gozo, covering an area of just 3.5 km². This makes it an ideal spot for a day trip. The island is small enough to be explored on foot within a day. A path along the high cliffs guarantees incredible views.

The island’s name comes from cumin, which once grew abundantly here. Comino has a rich history dating back to Roman times when it was mainly used for agricultural purposes. The Knights of Malta organized wild boar and rabbit hunts here. Comino was never really inhabited, mainly due to the lack of protection against corsairs.

It wasn’t until 1618 that the Knights of Malta decided to build a watchtower here, which was intended to serve as an early warning system against Ottoman invaders and pirates. The tower was used as a communication point between similar towers on Malta and Gozo. Today, it’s the most distinctive building on Comino. It is located on an 80-meter cliff, offering an amazing view of the island.

Right next to St. Mary’s Tower is an abandoned hospital, built by the British in 1890. The hospital served as an infectious disease hospital, treating patients with cholera and plague.

Currently, Comino is inhabited by only a handful of people. There is no tourist infrastructure on the island. The only buildings here are St. Mary’s Tower, a chapel, a police station, and an abandoned pig farm.

There is no hotel, and the only such establishment ceased operations in 2019. The island is not accessible to car traffic, making it an ideal place to relax. However, during the holiday season, it is crowded with tourists, mainly due to the Blue Lagoon, which is one of Malta’s main attractions. Indeed, the lagoon looks amazing. The crystal-clear water with an intense turquoise color makes an incredible impression. The Blue Lagoon is adjacent to the small islet of Cominotto (Kemmunett), which also offers excellent swimming conditions.

The Blue Lagoon is predominantly a rocky beach. Due to its small size, it is unfortunately very crowded. An alternative for those who prefer quieter places could be Santa Maria Bay or San Niklaw Bay.

Santa Maria Bay is the largest beach on the island. The water here is shallow, and it is visited by significantly fewer people compared to the Blue Lagoon. San Niklaw Bay, located in the northern part of the island, is particularly popular as an excellent spot for snorkeling.

How to get there?

Regular ferries depart from the port of Cirkewwa, located in the northern part of the main Maltese island. They usually run every 30 minutes, and the journey to the island takes the same amount of time. Trips are also available from the port of Mgarr on Gozo. A round-trip ticket costs €13  (€6.5 – discount ticket) – data from 2024. In addition, numerous travel agencies offer full-day trips to Comino.