During our recent stay in MALTA, we decided to spend one day visiting the tiny COMINO ISLAND, named after the CUMIN SEED that once flourished here. Situated BETWEEN MALTA AND GOZO, the island has only 3 PERMANENT RESIDENTS, so you can imagine how peaceful it is. Well, at It is also a nature reserve with ideal EASY HIKING TRAILS that take you all around the island.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR VISITING COMINO ISLAND, MALTA

GETTING TO & AROUND COMINO ISLAND

From CIRKEWWA in the north-west of Malta it is just a SHORT BOAT RIDE, it took us 10-15 minutes. These transfers are for passengers only, NO VEHICLES. The price was 13€ per person, return. The last boat going back was around 4pm, so do take care to check current TIMETABLES and don´t be late. We were there on a sunny day in February during the week and there were already quite some visitors. It must be really crowdy in the summer. There are BOAT CONNECTIONS FROM GOZO as well.

The boat transfer also included a short ride along the island´s RUGGED COASTLINE and its LIMESTONE CLIFFS, we could also see numerous CAVES and COVES on the way. That was a nice surprise, it is always great to see the coastline from different perspectives. We disembarked at CRYSTAL LAGOON and found our way up the hill. There is no marked path so you are free to find your own. The first VIEWS were already quite impressive.

Crystal Bay, Comino island, Malta

WHAT TO SEE & DO ON COMINO ISLAND, MALTA

Basically, we could say there is 1 SHORTER ROUND HIKE and 1 LONGER one. Because we had to drive over the whole island to get back to Birzebugga afterwards, we decided to do the shorter hike. It was so nice to be outside, walking between GREEN SHRUBS and catching some FRESH AIR and SUN. Winters in Germany, where we live at the moment, can really be depressive to be honest.

Comino island Malta walking paths map

From the top of Crystal bay, we could already spot the TRANSPARENT WATERS of the famous BLUE LAGOON between COMINO and the smaller COMINOTTO ISLAND. This is a popular spot for BOAT DAYTRIPS in the summer, which include swimming, snorkeling, lunch and lots of loud music I assume. I have to say, even though we could not swim in this amazing water at the moment, it was awesome to have the place almost to ourselves.

View on Blue Lagoon, Comino island, Malta

Blue Lagoon, Comino island, Malta

We did make one huge mistake though. We were both HUNGRY and THIRSTY and we just assumed there will be at least one little FOOD STAND or similar. Anywhere on the island. But nope. Nothing. All closed. So, come prepared. Especially when visiting offseason. In the summer don´t forget SUNSCREEN as there is practically no shade.

Walking path on Comino island, Malta

Shrubland on Comino island, Malta

In SAN NIKLAW BAY we found one of the 2 HOTELS on the island, one of which is actually a post WWII building. Further on the path, the second one is in SANTA MARIJA Bay. They were now closed as well.

Comino island, Malta

Eventually we passed the ABANDONED HOSPITAL, which used to serve as an ISOLATION and QUARANTINE BUILDING, during the French occupation of Malta.

Abandoned hospital building on Comino island, Malta

Just before almost closing the round hike we arrived to ST. MARY´S TOWER, the most visible building on the island. Unfortunately, it was closed for public, but the views around here were magnificent enough even if not from the top of this mighty square tower.

St. Mary´s tower, Comino island. Malta

From the tower BACK TO CRYSTAL BAY there are really nice views down the cliffs. The ISLAND GOZO, which also makes a great day trip, is also very near and on a clear sunny day you can see it at the back.

The view on Crystal Bay, Comino island, Malta from the top of the cliffs

The view on Blue Lagoon and the island of Gozo from St. Mary´s Tower, Comino island, Malta

If you decide on doing the longer walk, you can also see the little CATHOLIC CHAPEL and CAVES in SANTA MARIJA, as well as the SANTA MARIJA BATTERY, still housing a cannon. Comino is also a known FILMMAKERS LOCATION, as it appears in Troy, The Count of Monte Christo and Swept Away movies. Overall this was a very pleasant DAYTRIP, despite being thirsty and hungry for much too long. By coincidence it was also VALENTINE´S DAY so we fixed it by having a bigger dinner later on. Definitely worth visiting Comino, especially if you like to stretch your legs walking in peaceful nature, surrounded by great views.

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