Blue Grotto, the Mediterranean's bluest cave
The caves that make up the Blue Grotto, in the south-east of Malta, are the result of the sea’s erosive work over thousands of years, but only local fishermen knew of their existence until, it is said, British soldiers stationed in the archipelago began asking the Maltese to show them around after hearing that the blue of the waters was different from the rest of the Mediterranean. That is how the trips began and have become one of the island’s main tourist attractions.
- Natural setting of the sea caves
- Information for visitors: prices, how to get there, etc.
- Facilities in the area
- What to see during your visit
- Things to see nearby
- Best hotels in Malta
Natural setting of the sea caves
The six sea caves that make up the stunning Blue Grotto have been carved into the Wied-iz-Zurrieq cliffs for thousands of years. From above, you can glimpse some of the natural wonder that is the great 30-metre high archway leading to the main grotto but not its spectacular nature, which has led to films such as Troy and some well-known commercials to be shot among those waters and rocks.
The unique feature of the caves is that the sun, especially from dawn to midday, reflects off the sea water and bounces off the walls creating a unique play of light, in shades of blue or in shades of purple, depending on the time of day.
Among the grotto’s rocks, near the village, there is a completely unspoilt bathing area where you can take a dip if the sea is calm, or dive and snorkel to enjoy a coastline full of inlets and outlets due to the sea’s erosion on the rocks.
Inside the six caves there are narrow passages where boats cannot always pass, depending on the tide, and corals on top of the walls that show the richness of the incredible seabed.
Information for visitors: prices, how to get there, etc.
The best time of day to visit the Blue Grotto is from dawn to midday because this is when the light reflects best on the cave walls. You can get there by bus from Valletta, on some lines that have the last stop right at the Blue Grotto, and also by car, since there is a car park in the area.
From there, you go down to the harbour, where the boats are waiting to take you on a marvellous once-in-a-lifetime trip, no matter how spectacular the place is from above.
The boat route is usually about one hour, although it takes around 20 minutes to reach the large archway at the grotto’s entrance. The price is around 8 euros for adults and 4 euros for children.
Facilities in the area
Being one of the main tourist attractions means that the place has all the facilities imaginable: a car park, a picnic area, a restaurant and even an ice-cream parlour to spend as much time as you want and enjoy the area surrounding the Blue Grotto.
There is also a bus stop nearby, with only a few bus lines but with good connections to Valletta, which makes it easy to visit this place even for those who do not have a rented car.
Near the harbour there is a small rocky area which has been prepared for bathing and which, sea permitting, is a luxury because it is still in a fairly unspoilt area.
What to see during your visit
The visit is spectacular as soon as you leave the harbour in the traditional Maltese boat. The caves become more spectacular as you approach a path that can take up to 20 minutes to reach the entrance to the Blue Grotto. The 30-metre high entrance archway is immense when you are in a boat in the middle of the sea. You can also enjoy the different shades of blue of the waters as you pass through the caves and the play of light and colour that they project on the rock walls depending on the time of day.
Inside, the path widens and narrows as you go along and you can even see coral-covered rocks that make it very beautiful.
Your visit is not only at sea level. Near the Blue Grotto there are several viewpoints that give an aerial view of this natural beauty and also hiking trails that lead to the Dingli cliffs, for example.
Things to see nearby
Close to the Blue Grotto there are several archaeological sites that can be visited.
Two of Malta’s main prehistoric temples, Ta’Hagrat and Skorba, which were built between 3600 BC and 3200 BC, are found there. Both can be visited without any problem because they are at a distance of just over one kilometre.
The highlight of Ta’Hagrat is a 5-metre high megalith, which is the largest in the country. In this case, the temple ruins are in better condition than those at Skorba.
From the Blue Grotto, you can also reach Hagar Qim, an old watchtower with an incredible view of the uninhabited islet of Filfla.
Best hotels in Malta
One of the best places to stay on the island is the Barceló Fortina Malta hotel since it is located in Sliema, a city close to Valletta but with all kinds of communications to get around Malta.
This five-star hotel has been completely refurbished and provides a luxurious experience to families, couples and friends.
Its 183 rooms with a terrace, most of them with spectacular views of the Mediterranean and, if you are lucky, of Valletta, are designed to take care of the smallest detail that guests may need throughout their stay.
The Barceló Fortina Malta hotel provides cuisine that includes local specialities and international dishes, an adults-only spa and a wellness centre for complete relaxation.
The hotel’s location right on the seafront means that it is within easy reach of many shops, bars and restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Blue Grotto in Malta?
It is located in the south-east of the island, 13 kilometres from Valletta, and very close to the village of Wied-iz-Zurrieq.
Why visit the Blue Grotto?
It is one of Malta's tourist attractions since you can visit the main cave in a very surprising trip.
How do I get to the Blue Grotto?
You can get there by bus from Valletta, although not all the lines have a final stop at the Blue Grotto, and by car, as there is a car park in the area.