Exploring Malta: A Day Trip to Comino Island's Blue Lagoon for Under €15
Blue Lagoon, Comino Island, Malta
One day, while planning my travels, I was experimenting with Skyscanner’s “search Everywhere” feature in hopes of finding my next best destination after Spain. When a €12 flight to Malta via Ryan Air popped up, I decided it was too good to pass up. Friends and photos had convinced me that the island country was well worth a visit, but I knew very little about it beyond striking images of its old world capital, Valletta.
Valletta, Malta
I decided to stay for four nights, booked myself an Airbnb in Valletta, and figured I’d wing the rest. (*As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through this link.) You can research a destination all day long, but it can be difficult to really understand a place until you’re there. For instance, I had no idea which area to stay in. I assessed my options, read all the pros and cons, but once I got there, I quickly realized it didn’t matter very much. So a few basic points to keep in mind:
Malta is SMALL. The country is 17 miles long and 9 miles wide.
Transportation is efficient, cheap, and punctual.
You can reach any city from any other city easily.
People told me not to stay in Valletta- that there was nothing to do- but I actually found it to be lively and full of restaurants and cafes. I also indulged in their cheap movie theater on two separate occasions. Regardless of where you decide to stay, I have good news. You can visit the famous island of Comino and its Blue Lagoon on the cheap, and I’ve already done the leg work to figure out how! My tips are written with a Valletta departure in mind, but all you have to do is find your nearest bus stop along any route heading to Cirkewwa to get in on the most affordable day trip ever. More on the bus below.
Valletta to the Blue Lagoon
From Valletta, you’ll want to head to the main bus terminus and catch either the 41 or the 42 line. Google Maps was a lifesaver and 100% accurate, telling me exactly which bay to go to. You can see in the screenshot below that the 41 and 42 buses depart from bay B6. For a mere €1.50 in winter or €2 in summer (which you can pay onboard to the driver in cash) you will enjoy a scenic hour or so ride all the way to the last stop- the ferry terminal called Cirkewwa. No matter where you’re staying in Malta, Google maps is going to help you find the closest and most convenient route, and the bus fee is a flat rate. For more information on bus tickets, you can visit Malta’s Public Transport site here.
Once you get to Cirkewwa, you’ll have no trouble finding the ticket kiosk for the Blue Lagoon ferry as there will be a number of men directing you the second you hop off the bus. For €10 you can purchase a roundtrip ticket which includes a tour of some small caves along the way. The €10 is worth the sightseeing on the boat ride alone! If you didn’t get around to packing some snacks, you can grab some from the vendor next to the ticket kiosk for a reasonable price. A ham and cheese sandwich was €3, while a muffin was €1.50, for example.
Comino is a very small and very walkable island. I did not understand the scale of it prior to going, and imagined needing to sort out transportation upon arrival. Turns out my own two feet were all I needed. When you get to Comino, there are two main spots you’ll want to see: the Blue Lagoon (where the ferry drops you off) and Santa Maria Caves, on the opposite side of the island. I decided to go explore the latter first. The walk took about 20-25 minutes, and was extremely scenic and pleasant. I also encountered very few people along my way and at the site itself which made for a peaceful little adventure. When I made it to the other side, I discovered a unique landscape, towering cliffs, and some violently crashing waves. If you’ve ever been to Ireland, the scene is not entirely unlike that of the Cliffs of Moher. Walk the coastline and you’ll discover some pretty breathtaking views.
Santa Maria Caves
From there, I cut back across the island to spend some time at the Blue Lagoon. You’ll find stands selling food and drinks, loads of people swimming, sunbathing and cliff-jumping, and a variety of activities and water sports being offered, if that tickles your fancy. Me, I just wanted to take it all in, and of course, get some drone shots. In total, I found that 4-5 hours was all I needed to see everything that Comino had to offer. That being said, had I visited with family or friends, I could easily see chilling out by the lagoon all day!
In summary, Valletta - Blue Lagoon - Valletta will cost you €3 or €4 (depending on the season) in roundtrip bus tickets, and €10 for a roundtrip ferry ticket. Pack your own food and you can easily swing a cheap adventure for under €15. The gorgeous views are free!
