An Oasis of Peace 15 minutes Away? Meet Comino island!
So you know Malta, you may even know about Gozo, Malta’s second island and a place with a much calmer pace than Malta. But do you know there is a third island?
With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, rugged terrain, and sandy beaches, Comino is waiting to be discovered.
Photo: Wikipedia / OCRI
No cars are allowed and it is only 3.5km2 in size. To say it is sparsely inhabited is an understatement. Only one family lives there and they have been there since time immemorial. At one point there were several families living there, over 30, but the population has since dwindled to just this one family, and getting permission to settle there is (understandably) difficult.
When visiting Comino the first thing you’re struck by is the stunning turquoise waters that surround the small island - an ideal space for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The island's hidden coves and sea caves are waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers.
Comino island's rugged terrain and rocky coastline offer ample opportunities for hiking, climbing and exploring. The island is home to several walking trails with great viewpoints, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Exploring the island's rocky coastline and hidden coves is an adventure that travelers will never forget.
The island's Blue Lagoon beach is very well known and is a popular spot for tourists. But every rose has a few thorns; with its amazing crystal-clear waters and white sand, its beauty has also had a negative impact on the bay itself, with boatloads on boatloads of tourists arriving every morning in summer. Although some less scrupulous operators fill the beach with deckchairs, know that by law you have every right to settle down anywhere you want and are not obliged to rent a deckchair unless you want to.
Photo: Wikipedia / OCRI
You can also visit the Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay beaches, which are quieter and less crowded.
There are a few other places to visit, mainly abandoned buildings from the British era and a hotel, the only one on the island, which also features the only restaurant on the island.
Furthermore, environmental non-profit organisation Friends of The Earth have recently taken over what was a bakery on the island and want to change it into a cultural space, focusing on environmental matters and exhibitions. They also want to start baking bread there, returning it to its original function.
So, if you want to escape the bustle of Malta (or even Gozo!) all you have to do is hop onto one of the small, private boats departing from Ċirkewwa terminal in Malta and get yourself to a place that is perhaps the antithesis of contemporary, busy Malta at barely 15 minutes from it!
Kurt, OLS Community Manager – Maltese