Blue Grotto Malta

This article is a guide to Blue Grotto Malta. Read it to find out how to get there, when to go and what kind of boat tours and activities to book to enjoy the natural landscape of the Blue Grotto, its blue waters, and its sea caves to the full.

The Blue Grotto would make such a nice addition to your summer travel bucket list, so you know!

What Makes the Blue Grotto a Must-See in Malta?

The deep blue color of the water inside the caves that form the Blue Grotto is the top reason for visiting this place in Malta.

I had the chance to visit the Blue Grotto on a sunny April day. The various shades of blue, the sky and the elephant-like rock formation made this scenery look like magic.

Too bad it was too cold for swimming and snorkeling. I had to postpone these for another trip.

Despite the strong winds and the chilly weather, there were lots of people seeking for the best vantage point.

On a sunny day the shore looks amazing. The rocky shore, the dwarf bushes and the tall shrubs make a striking contrast to the deep blue shades of the water.

Is the Blue Grotto the Same as the Blue Lagoon?

No, the Blue Grotto and the Blue Lagoon are two different places in Malta.

The Blue Grotto is located on the southern shores of the main island of Malta, near Wied iż-Żurrieq, while the Blue Lagoon is located on Comino, a smaller island in the Maltese archipelago.

If you’re here for Comino, please read my article about visiting the Blue Lagoon.

How To Get from Valetta to Blue Grotto

There are several ways to reach Blue Grotto in Malta. You can choose the cost-effective option which is the public bus ride, but you can also enjoy a private tour of Malta that includes the Blue Grotto.

By Regular Bus

Blue Grotto bus stop – this is bus line 201 that connects the Malta International Airport with Ir-Rabat

The best way to get from Valetta to Blue Grotto is by bus. Bus line 74 takes 30 minutes to one hour to get to the Panorama bus stop near the Blue Grotto.

From the bus stop there’s a 10-minute walk to the waterfront. The best panorama, however, is uphill, near the bus stop.

Bus 201 going from the International Malta Airport to Rabat has a stop by the Blue Grotto. This stop is called Il-Qrendi (Grotto).

Should you be driving from Valetta, you’ll need less than 30 minutes to get to the Blue Grotto. As far as I remember, there’s a fairly big parking lot on site.

After you take enough photos of the beautiful landscape, go on a boat trip to see the caves.

Boat tours to the Blue Grotto depart from Wied Iz Zurrieq.

Here are some of these boats that take up to 8 people to visit the caves inside the Blue Grotto.

Wooden boats take people to the caves inside the Blue Grotto

By Hop On Hop Off Bus

There are two hop on hop off bus tours covering the main island of Malta.

To visit the Blue Grotto by hop on hop off bus, you need to take The South Tour.

That’s what I did when I visited the Blue Grotto in April. I took the tourist South Tour bus from Sliema and got off at various stops to see as much as possible within the several hours available.

By Taxi, Uber or Bolt

Taxi and rideshare vehicles will take you anywhere you want to go in Malta.

They are clean and convenient. I never had to wait for more than 5 minutes to get a ride.

There are about 14km between Valetta and the Blue Grotto panorama point. Expect a ride of about 30 minutes.

When To Visit

If you only want to take photos and to take a boat trip to the caves without having to wet your feet, you can go any time. Just keep in mind that boat rides get canceled if the sea is rough.

If you want to dive at the Blue Grotto, you’ll need to coordinate with the organizers.

For swimming and snorkeling, go any time between May and October.

Click here to book a half-day Malta tour that includes the Blue Grotto visit.

If you prefer a shared tour, check out this one, here.

Whatever your chose, remember that in case of rough waters boats don’t run.