Comino Day Trip Itinerary – How to See Malta’s Blue Lagoon

A day trip to Comino Island is on almost everyone’s Malta itinerary. Many people flock to this pristine and nearly uninhabited island to swim in the Blue Lagoon. However, some come to Comino to hike around its rugged coastline which is characterised by sheer limestone cliffs and deep caves.

In this blog post we’ll show you how to get to the island and what else there is to see and do there apart from enjoying the waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Introducing Comino Island

Malta is an archipelago of five islands: Malta, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto and Filfla. Only Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited, although Comino’s population is around two people, so it’s pretty much uninhabited! With an area of 3.5km², Comino is the third largest island of the archipelago. The island is named after the cumin plant (Kemmuna in Maltese) that grows everywhere on the island along with other herbs and flowers. For this reason Comino is classed as a wildlife sanctuary.

During Roman times Comino was inhabited by farmers but, just like today, it always had a very small population or was completely abandoned. The Knights of Malta used Comino for hunting wild boar and hares as well as recreational grounds. In the middle ages, the caves around the island were used by pirates as hiding spots before raids.

Comino’s population peaked at around 150 when the island was used as a prison during the French occupation. During the Middle Ages it also served as a quarantine and isolation hospital. In 1926 Comino was leased and the Comino Farming Company was founded. During this time local farmers, then later workers from Sicily, were employed there. The lease was given up in 1960 and a new one was granted to the Comino Development Company Ltd. The company built the only hotel along with some bungalows on the island.

How to Get to Comino Island

You can only reach Comino for a day trip by boat. Depending on your timeframe and interests you can either visit on your own or join an organised boat tour. Below we describe the different options you have if you’re planning the trip independently.

Note – You cannot take your rental car to Comino Island!

Getting to Comino Island from Malta

You’re most likely to be staying somewhere on the main island during your stay. From Malta you can get on a boat from Comino Ferry Terminal next to Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal.

To reach the ferry terminal from Valletta you can take Buses 41 or 42 and from Sliema you can take Bus 222. If you’re staying in one of the resorts such as Bugibba, you can take bus 221. From places like Mgarr you can hop onto the 101 service.

A round trip from Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal costs 15EUR per person. You’ll get a coloured ticket which you need to keep hold of. The journey takes about 20-25 minutes. The speedboat slows down towards the end and the driver will circle around the caves which is a nice bonus.

When you want to return to Malta the boat drivers will shout the colour of the ticket so you know which boat to board. It can get crowded so make sure to queue up in plenty of time. We visited in February and it was already a bit chaotic. We can only imagine how it is during the peak season.

Note – There are excursions to Comino Island offered around Sliema Ferry Port and Buggiba.

Getting to Comino Island from Gozo

You can also reach Comino for a day trip from Gozo. Boats leave from Mgarr Harbour ferry terminal. You can take buses 301, 303 and 323 from the main bus station in Victoria all the way to the ferry terminal.

Comino’s ferry port is basically in the Blue Lagoon, so once you get off the boat you can enjoy the water straight away.

How Long Do You Need on Comino Island

Comino is tiny compared to the two main islands: Malta and Gozo. So, technically, you could combine visiting Gozo and Comino Islands in just one day. This is a great option if you’re short on time or just want to tick these places off your list.

However, we recommend reading our Gozo Island guide which shows that there’s plenty to see on Gozo itself to fill an entire day. Therefore, if you’d like to have a more relaxing itinerary, then consider visiting Comino on a separate day.

If you enjoy swimming and sunbathing then you won’t have any issues chilling on the island for the majority of the day. However, if you’re a hiker like us, you can certainly explore the island on foot and fill out your day that way too.

Top Tip – We included a famous location below as an additional place to visit on Malta that can be added to your Comino day trip. Keep reading to find out what it is and how to get there.

Can You Sleep on Comino Island?

Well, technically you can. Comino used to have one hotel, however it’s been closed for a few years now due to redevelopment. At the time of writing this post, it’s still closed. So, currently you can’t enjoy a peaceful and comfortable stay.

However, if you’re adventurous you can camp on the island. There’s only one campsite on Comino that you can use for free and you don’t need a permit either. Just bear in mind that you’ll be sharing your night with noisy rats and mice according to the reviews. So, your stay might not be as tranquil as you would’ve imagined. Personally, we would stick to visiting Comino as a day trip.

How to Spend a Day on Comino Island, Malta

1. Enjoy Swimming and Snorkelling in the Blue Lagoon

Located between Comino and Cominotto Island lies the famous Blue Lagoon. Its crystal clear, turquoise blue waters combined with caves and jagged cliffs have been attracting tourists from all over the world for years. It really is the ideal paradise to swim, snorkel or dive.

Note – Make sure to always stay in the designated swimming area. There is a lot of boat traffic, plus the currents can be strong too. Also watch out for jellyfish. There should be lifeguards but it’s better to avoid any incidents.

After reading that in the high season thousands of people can visit the Blue Lagoon every day, we’re incredibly grateful that we had it pretty much all to ourselves in mid-February. Don’t feel too jealous though, our luck only lasted about 10 minutes before a big party boat carrying at least a hundred people docked at the tiny port.

2. Hike Around Comino Island

Your Comino day trip wouldn’t be complete without taking at least a short hike around the island. Even if you’re only doing a short circular hike, you can spot many of the main features of Comino. In case you’re an avid hiker then you can easily hike around the entire island in a few hours. By putting on your comfy shoes and exploring the island on foot, you can avoid the crazy crowds that can accumulate at the Blue Lagoon.

Hiking is also a great activity if you’re visiting during the shoulder seasons when the temperature isn’t quite high enough to spend an entire day swimming and sunbathing. In case you’re planning on going for a hike around the island in the summer months, make sure to have enough water and sun cream on you for hydration and protection. There isn’t much shade on the island so try to avoid getting heatstroke. Once again, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and not flip-flops.

3. Enjoy the Views from Santa Marija Tower

Whether you’re planning a hike around Comino during your day trip or not, you should at least walk up to Santa Marija Tower for two reasons. Firstly, the route to the tower is short but absolutely stunning and possibly the nicest coastal walk in Malta. Secondly, you’ll be treated with 360 degree views from the top of the tower across Comino and beyond.

The tower was built by the Knights of Malta in 1618. The purpose of the tower was to protect the Comino Channel from the pirates who were using the caves as hiding spots for attacks. It also formed part of a chain of defensive towers along the coastline of the islands.

Apparently some knights who had committed petty crimes were sentenced to take care of the tower. During the uprising against French occupation, it was used as a prison for those suspected of helping the French. Later, during the British period, the tower served as a deterrent against smugglers. It was abandoned in the 19th Century until the National trust of Malta undertook restoration work in 2004.

Did you know? – The tower was the Mediterranean prison Château d’If in the Count of Monte Cristo movie.

Entry fee is 2EUR per person.

4. The Isolation Hospital and the ‘Palace’

From the top of the tower you’ll see a big abandoned building. It is called The Isolation Hospital and was erected after 1912 as an extension of the building next to it called ‘The Palace’ which was built by Grand Master Wignacourt. As the name suggests, it was used to treat patients with plague and cholera who needed to be isolated from the healthy people in Malta.

During World War I, they used the hospital to treat injured soldiers. In 1948 they opened a school in the building for the handful of children who lived on Comino. They even had an adult class later in the day. It was closed around 1968.

If you ask us, the building would be the perfect setting for one of those typical horror movies.

5. Santa Marija Battery

If you’re planning a longer hike around Comino, then you’ll walk past the Santa Marija Battery. Built in 1715, this defence post is one of the three surviving coastal batteries on the Maltese Islands.

The coastal batteries were initially erected to discourage an enemy fleet from disembarking their troops. This particular battery was equipped with four 6-pounder cannons and an extra two 24-pounders. By 1770 the battery was abandoned. The National Trust of Malta restored the site in 1997.

6. The Cemetery

If you’re on a shorter hiking route, then after the Isolation Hospital you’ll walk past the cemetery which should be on your left. It comes as no surprise that many of Comino’s inhabitants are buried here. We read it on the signs in the tower that during World War II some Italian and German service personnel were buried here too. However, their bodies have since been returned to their home countries.

7. The Chapel of Our Lady’s Return from Egypt

The next feature on your short hike will be a church which is dedicated to the Return of Our Lady from Egypt. This was first built in 1618 but has been restored many times since then.

Did you know? – The current church is located on the exact spot where, in the 12th century, the original medieval church stood. It is shown on a navigation map from the time.

8. The Old Bakery

When Comino was more populated, the bakery was very important for Comino’s inhabitants. It still houses many of the original features and tools to show how bread was made.

9. Santa Marija Bay

If you don’t fancy spending your entire day at the Blue Lagoon, you can stretch your legs a bit and take a short walk over to Santa Marija Bay.

However, if you’re hiking around Comino, then you should pass by Santa Marija Bay anyway. We recommend spending a bit longer in the area and walking around a bit. During the hotter months, this is also a great swimming spot. We visited in February and the beach was covered in seaweed but we assume that they prepare the beach for the main season. Nevertheless, the scenery around the beach was still beautiful. Although still not as jaw dropping as the route between the Blue Lagoon and Santa Marija Tower. We don’t think anything could top that section of Comino, or any of the Maltese Islands.

10. The Police Station

You can also find a police station just next to Santa Marija Bay. Apparently the original Police Station was the building overlooking the Blue Lagoon, which is now used as toilet facilities. The station served as a watch-post during plague, cholera and typhoid outbreaks. During World War II it was used as an observation post.

Today the police still patrol the area on a motorcycle and with a speedboat. They commute to Comino every day and are responsible for the security of the island, checking for speeding boats and littering.

+11. Visit Popeye Village in Malta

If you’re not too tired from all the sun, swimming and hiking then you can add an extra activity to your Comino day trip: Popeye Village.

Of course, you can always add a visit to Popeye Village to your Malta itinerary on another day. However, since you can take a direct bus from Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal we thought it would be a great way to end your day. From the ferry terminal, just hop onto bus 101 towards Mgarr. The bus will drop you off at the bus stop just in front of Popeye Village.

I guess we don’t need to introduce Popeye Village, but just in case you’re drawing a blank, it was the film set of the 1980 musical production “Popeye”. The village was constructed at the end of 1979. They even had to build an access road to the set and a breakwater to protect it. Today the village still exists and operates as a theme park.

There’s also an amazing viewpoint from where you can admire the entire village. Just be extra careful since it’s a pretty big drop. So don’t sit too close to the edge!

Note – At the time of writing, the theme park is closed due to damage caused by a storm earlier this year. We spoke to one of the workers and they are planning on reopening as soon as possible so keep an eye on their official website for updates.

Final Thoughts on Day Trip to Comino Island, Malta

We think it’s safe to say that after our day trip to Comino Island, we totally fell in love with this part of Malta. Whilst Malta itself is lovely, it wasn’t until we spent a day on the more rural Gozo and then another day in Comino, that we felt we could say we loved our visit to the country.

It definitely helped that we went to Comino in the off season and got there just before the bigger boat tours arrived. Having the Blue Lagoon almost all to ourselves felt very special, especially after seeing how packed it can get during the high season. Hiking around the island was also a great way to appreciate the beauty of Comino.

Have you ever been to Comino or Malta? If so, which season did you visit in and what was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.