Once a pirate hideout and prison, this tiny Mediterranean island now faces modern overtourism

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Comino, a 3.5-square-kilometre Maltese island, has evolved from a rugged refuge for medieval marauders and exiled knights into a controversial tourist hotspot. With only two permanent residents remaining, the island struggles to balance its status as a protected nature reserve against the pressures of commercial development and mass tourism.

Named after the cumin seed, Comino has a history defined by isolation and strategic utility. In the Middle Ages, its limestone caves served as staging grounds for pirates raiding boats between Malta and Gozo. By the 17th century, the Knights of Malta had fortified the island with St. Mary's Tower, a defensive structure intended to deter corsairs, though it later served as a prison for errant knights and, during the French blockade, for suspected spies. The island's population fluctuated significantly over centuries, peaking at around 80 people in the late 1940s when farming families cultivated terraced fields and exported snails to Italy.

The modern era brought a shift toward commercial exploitation. In 1960, the British government granted a 150-year lease to a property magnate for a near-peppercorn rent, sparking long-term controversy over development. Today, the island is best known for the Blue Lagoon, a picturesque bay that attracts large crowds daily. This popularity has led to intense friction between environmental activists and commercial operators. Critics, including the group Moviment Graffitti, have denounced the proliferation of illegal kiosks and the daily encroachment of deckchairs on public space, which they argue threatens the island's fragile ecosystem and biodiversity.

Efforts to manage Comino's future are currently underway. While projects like the proposed rebuilding of the Comino Hotel face stiff opposition from environmental organizations concerned about habitat loss, other initiatives focus on restoration. As of March 2025, agencies like Ambjent Malta and the Environment and Resources Authority are working to remove invasive species and restore indigenous vegetation. Meanwhile, local groups are repurposing historic structures, such as the old bakery, into environmental education centres. These efforts reflect a broader attempt to preserve the island's heritage and natural state against the backdrop of its status as a Natura 2000 marine protected area.

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