Comino Malta A little paradise in Malta

The island of Comino (Kemmuna) is a small and third largest inhabited island in the Maltese archipelago. Comino has a total area of only 3.5 km² and is only 2 km long and 1.7 km wide. Comino lies between the islands of Malta and Gozo and has a population of only 4 people.

In the Middle Ages, the islands of the archipelago were subject to the rule of the Knights of Malta, who resisted the attacks of the Turks and pirates. The island of Comino was popular with smugglers and pirates, in whose caves and grottoes they could hide their looted treasures. According to legend, somewhere on the island their treasures are still stored.

During French rule, this small island became a kind of concentration camp. Then, during British rule, an infectious disease hospital was built on the island of Comino, where British soldiers fighting overseas were quarantined. Hoy en día, la isla Comino Malta es un lugar favorito de los turistas, y también hay una reserva de aves, ya que Comino está en el camino de la migración de las aves de Europa a África y viceversa.

There is only one hotel on the island – Comino Hotel&Bungalows 4* . This is a secluded hotel run by a Maltese family, who are in fact the only permanent residents of the island. It’s best to book in advance to spend the night in this stunning spot. There’s also a campsite near St Mary’s Bay, which is very popular in summer.

If you decide to travel to Comino Malta by public transport, it will take you at least 2 hours to get there, so it is best to book the whole day on this trip. You can buy tickets online at: Comino ferry service or directly at a kiosk in Iċ-Ċirkewwa.

The island can be reached by a small ferry or by boat, the journey takes 20 minutes and costs around €13 (return trip). These boats are located on the island of Gozo – Mġarr and on the island of Malta – Iċ-Ċirkewwa.

Blue Lagoon is the main attraction of the island of Comino and one of the best beaches in Malta. The paradisiacal spot, which every traveller must visit in Malta.

The turquoise water is breathtaking and attracts visitors from all over the world, so in summer there is hardly any free space on the beach “Blue Lagoon”. This picturesque bay, protected from the waves, cannot fail to enchant you with its crystal clear water and white sand. An ideal place for a beach holiday or for diving.

If you have come to the “Blue Lagoon” in summer, we recommend that you visit the island of Cominotto (Kemmunett) which is located 100 metres off the coast of the Blue Lagoon beach, where you can enjoy the nature and the purest turquoise waters of the lagoon from the beach of this island.

St Mary’s Tower (It-Torri ta’ Santa Marija) was built by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in 1618. It was an important element in the chain of defence and signal structures between the ancient fortifications of Mdina (Malta) and the Citadel (Gozo). The tower has been part of a network of defensive towers installed at strategic points along the coasts of the Maltese archipelago.

In 2000, the Malta Maritime Authority entered into an agreement with Din L-Art Ħelwa, a non-profit heritage protection and conservation organisation, to fund the complete restoration of St Mary’s Tower.

The tower is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April to October from 10.30 am to 3 pm. The visit is free of charge. The rooftop of the tower offers a breathtaking view of the Blue Lagoon and the island of Gozo.

In addition to being a 17th century fortification and a prominent landmark on the island of Comino, the Tower of Santa Maria also featured in the film “The Count of Monte Cristo” (2002) as a Mediterranean prison – Château d’If.

The fear of an Ottoman invasion of the Maltese islands led the Knights of St John to reinforce the defence of the Maltese coast, building a series of batteries on the three islands.

The Battery of Santa Maria (Il-Batterija ta’ Santa Marija) was built in 1715, at the same time as all the coastal fortifications on the Maltese coast. It is a semi-circular structure with embrasures facing the sea, originally designed for four 6-pounder guns. The battery has also been restored by Din L-Art Ħelwa and is open to the public.

The Chapel of Our Lady’s Return from Egypt. The chapel was built in 1618, parallel to the construction of the tower, and was enlarged in 1667 and 1716. The chapel was originally dedicated to the Annunciation and consecrated and deconsecrated at least three times.

The island of Comino can be explored in 4-5 hours, we advise you to come to the island early in the morning and enjoy the Blue Lagoon until 11 – 12 am, and then you can explore the island. Usually, tourists bring sandwiches and drinks, but in summer, if you don’t bring something to eat, you can buy it on the island or have lunch at the hotel restaurant. We also recommend that you visit San Nicolas Bay and Santa Maria Bay, which are the beaches that are close to the hotel and less frequented by tourists.