Information
City: CominoCountry: Malta
Continent: Europe
Comino, Malta, Europe
Overview
Comino, the tiniest inhabited island in the Maltese chain, sits between Malta and Gozo, where the sea glows a clear, deep blue.Comino draws day-trippers, nature lovers, and anyone craving a quiet escape, with its pristine beaches, glassy blue waters, and cliffs that catch the afternoon sun.It’s a quiet retreat from the hustle of Malta and Gozo, perfect for unwinding on a sun‑warmed shore, diving into clear water, or roaming hidden coves.Comino is tiny-only 3.5 square kilometers, about the size of a small neighborhood-set like a bright speck between Malta and Gozo.It sits between the larger islands of Malta and Gozo, and you can reach it in minutes by boat from either shore.Comino lies within the Maltese National Park, prized for its raw, untamed beauty.Apart from a handful of seasonal residents and a few workers running small boats or beach kiosks, the island is mostly empty.The island’s all sharp ridges and sudden drops, with narrow valleys tucked between.Most of it is solid limestone, pale and rough under your hand.Mediterranean scrub and bright wildflowers blanket the island, creating a paradise for nature lovers.Comino’s famed beaches and hidden coves-like the turquoise Blue Lagoon, quiet Santa Marija Bay, and sun-warmed Comino Beach-draw visitors from all over.Because the island is so small, you can stroll from one end to the other in no time, breathing in the quiet sea air along the way.Comino’s story stretches back to ancient times, with traces of Phoenician traders and Roman settlers still whispering through its rocky paths.The Knights of St. John once used the island for both military campaigns and religious rites, raising stone walls that still feel cool in the shade.For centuries, hardly anyone lived there, and the place stayed a windswept, silent refuge.When the Knights of St. John arrived, they turned Comino into a key outpost for defense and swift communication.The Knights built a fort on the island and named it Fort Santa Marija, its stone walls still standing firm against the sea breeze today.The island once gave the Knights a quiet refuge during their campaigns in Malta and across the Mediterranean, a place to rest and gather strength.By the 20th century, Comino held only a handful of residents, its fields and rocky slopes used mainly for farming and grazing goats.Over the past few decades, the island has drawn more and more visitors, thanks to its pristine beaches, its closeness to Malta and Gozo, and its designation as a protected nature reserve.The star of the show is the Blue Lagoon, famous for shimmering turquoise water so clear you can see the pale sand ripple beneath your feet.This lively stretch of coast draws swimmers, snorkelers, and boaters alike, from quick day-trippers to those who just want to spend a quiet afternoon listening to the waves.The Blue Lagoon lies between Comino and the tiny islet of Cominotto, and you can reach it by boat from either Malta or Gozo.Santa Marija Bay, also on Comino, has soft golden sand, glassy water, and a calmer vibe than the bustling Blue Lagoon.Rocky cliffs ring the bay, where you can dive into clear water, spread a blanket for a picnic, and wander over to the old stone walls of Fort Santa Marija.The beach feels calm and open, perfect if you’re after a slower pace.Comino Beach, tucked near the island’s tiny settlement, offers the same easygoing vibe and usually has far fewer visitors than the busy Blue Lagoon.Its sheltered, glassy waters are perfect for a swim, and a narrow strip of sand waits for sunbathers.Built by the Knights of St. John in the 17th century, Fort Santa Marija stands as one of Comino’s key historic landmarks.The fort stood on a high bluff, perfectly placed to guard the island and watch for approaching ships.Part of it still stands, giving you a vivid peek into the island’s military past-rusted bolts and weathered stone telling their own story.Today, the fort doubles as a small museum, where visitors can explore Comino’s past and its days under the Knights’ rule.Outside, the island bursts with life-thyme, rosemary, and spring wildflowers scent the warm Mediterranean air.The island teems with birdlife, from the sharp cry of a European Herring Gull overhead to the sleek glide of an Audouin’s Gull and the bright white flash of a Kittiwake along the shore.The clear waters around Comino teem with fish and coral, drawing divers and snorkelers eager to explore its reefs, and as part of a protected marine zone, the area offers a safe haven for the vibrant sea life that thrives there.Visitors can dive into the underwater world through snorkeling or scuba, gliding past the Blue Lagoon’s clear shallows and the bright corals of nearby reefs.Strict conservation rules safeguard the island and its surrounding waters, keeping the ecosystem and its rare wildlife thriving.Snorkeling and diving here are unforgettable-Comino’s clear, turquoise sea lets you see every ripple of light on the sandy floor.The Blue Lagoon, along with its nearby caves and reefs, offers some of the best places to explore marine life-schools of bright fish flicker past, octopuses slip into crevices, and strange rock shapes rise from the sandy floor.Comino’s crystal-clear, protected waters teem with marine life, making it a dream for divers.Though the island is tiny, winding trails lead you past jagged cliffs, wild thyme, and sweeping coastal views.Comino’s remoteness and rugged beauty make it perfect for hiking, with trails winding to hidden cliffs and sweeping views of the Mediterranean, Malta, and Gozo.You can also hop on a boat tour to circle the island, skimming past craggy shores and quiet, blue-green bays.Plenty of boat operators run tours that take you to the Blue Lagoon, past tiny Cominotto, and on to other breathtaking corners of the island.Some boat tours even let you jump in for a swim, try a dive, or cast a line for fish.Despite modern touches, Comino stays mostly untouched, home to just a handful of people-mainly seasonal workers who keep the island’s tourism running.You’ll find a handful of hotels and cozy guesthouses, but beyond them, the island stays wild-palm trees swaying over quiet stretches of sand.Because the island’s protected, big construction projects aren’t allowed.If you’re staying overnight on Comino, your choices are slim-a tiny hotel overlooking the bay and a couple of simple guesthouses.Most people visit the island for a day, then head back to Malta or Gozo to sleep, but the small hotel here offers a quieter, slower night for those who linger.Ferries run easily from both Malta and Gozo, and plenty of tour operators make the trip simple.
Landmarks in comino
