A trip to Malta would not be complete without a visit to her sister islands, Gozo and Comino. Both of these are only a short ferry ride away from the island of Malta, and, with an abundance of beauty on each, both islands are considered to be incredible natural treasures.
Comino
Measuring just 3.5 square kilometres, Comino is located in between Malta and Gozo, and one of its highlights is that it is a car-free island. There is only one hotel here, meaning that the island is virtually uninhabited, which has left its natural beauty untouched. The Blue Lagoon is the main attraction here, a huge, cyan-colored natural swimming pool, with water so bright that it seems almost unreal. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and caves, this is a truly magical part of the Maltese archipelago, and you could easily spend the entire day here snorkelling, diving, water-skiing, or simply relaxing on the sand. The entire island of Comino is a bird and nature sanctuary, and there are many paths that criss-cross around the island to help you to explore it, whether on foot or by bike.
Gozo
The second largest island in the Maltese archipelago, Gozo stretches out for 67 square kilometres, with a population of around 37,000. Compared to the island of Malta, Gozo is much more relaxed and laid back, and its slower pace is reminiscent of what Malta used to be like in its earlier days. The Citadel is usually the first point of call here, not only because this is where all roads on the island lead to, but also because this beautiful fortified city is really worth exploring. It is believed that settlements have been here since the Neolithic period, and there are many historic landmarks to check out, from the incredible baroque-style Cittadella Cathedral to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. The Ggantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also worth a visit, especially since they have recently been restored to their original beauty. For those wanting more in-depth information on Gozo’s history, head on over to the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, which is situated in a gorgeous 17th century townhouse.
Planning Your Trip
Due to the islands being relatively small, as well as located near to each other, there are a number of ferry services available to take you to each, from the island of Malta. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to reach each island, and the journey itself is incredibly beautiful. Since Comino only has one hotel, most people choose to visit the island as part of a day trip, and one full day is just about enough to view all of the island’s highlights. Gozo is much larger, and offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to idyllic farmhouses, so it would be easy to spend a couple of nights here, depending on how long your Maltese vacation is.
As diverse as the island of Malta is, its sister islands offer quite a different experience. From the quaint and quiet charm of Comino, to the rich and complex history of Gozo, a visit to both of these islands will perfectly complement your trip to Malta.
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