Attard vs Mgarr

Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.

Summary

Attard is better for families wanting central convenience and refined living, while Mgarr suits nature lovers seeking rural authenticity near Malta's best beaches. Attard scores 9/10 for family-friendliness and safety, sitting at Malta's geographic centre with bus routes 51 and 52 on the Valletta–Rabat corridor. Mgarr rates 9/10 for beach access, with Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha, and Gnejna Bay within minutes, though public transport scores just 3/10, making a car essential. Attard's 11,300 residents enjoy San Anton Gardens, the Presidential Palace, and established residential streets with low noise levels. The Mgarr's 4,100-population farming community offers vineyards, strawberry fields, and traditional village life at Malta's most affordable farmhouse prices. Attard properties command mid-to-upper bracket prices; Mgarr provides the island's cheapest properties with land. Attard's airport transfer takes 20 minutes by car versus Mgarr's 25 minutes. Attard couples nightlife at 3/10 with dining at 6/10, while Mgarr rates 2/10 and 5/10 respectively. Attard suits families prioritising safety and centrality; Mgarr fits those who value open countryside and coastal access over urban convenience.

Attard

Refined garden village

Mgarr

Agricultural village with oversize church

€1668

Avg. Rent

€1500

Listings

2.5

Avg. Bedrooms

Moderate. Pleasant walks in the town centre and gardens. Car essential for commuting and shopping.

Walkability

Limited. Village centre walkable. Countryside is walkable but you'll need a car for everything else.

Good. Residential streets have ample parking. Villa properties have driveways.

Parking

Excellent. No parking pressure. Ample space.

Very low. One of the quietest urban areas in Malta. Gardens absorb what little traffic noise there is.

Noise Level

Very low. Agricultural quiet. Occasional farm vehicles and church bells.

Living in Attard

Attard is one of Malta's 'Three Villages' — a cluster of quiet, upscale inland towns (with Balzan and Lija) known for their gardens, historic palaces, and a pace of life that feels a world away from the coastal strip. Sant' Anton Palace, the official residence of Malta's President, sits within Attard's boundaries, surrounded by botanical gardens that are open to the public. The town has a refined, established character. Old stone farmhouses sit alongside modern villas, and the streets are wider and greener than in most Maltese towns. The San Anton Gardens, originally laid out in the 17th century for the Grand Master, are one of Malta's loveliest green spaces — a formal garden with peacocks, fountains, and specimen trees from across the Mediterranean. Attard appeals to families and professionals who want space, quiet, and prestige without paying Sliema prices. Property here is mid-to-upper range, with villa properties commanding the highest values. The town sits at the geographic centre of Malta, making it equidistant from almost everywhere. A car is essential.

Highlights

San Anton Gardens and Presidential Palace
One of Malta's prestigious 'Three Villages'
Geographic centre of the island
Spacious villas and green surroundings
Quiet, family-friendly atmosphere

Living in Mgarr

Mgarr is a rural village in northwest Malta that serves as the island's agricultural heartland. Surrounded by farmland, vineyards, and olive groves, Mgarr produces more of Malta's home-grown food than anywhere else — strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and the grapes that go into Malta's growing wine industry. The annual Strawberry Festival draws thousands of visitors each spring. The village centre is a traditional Maltese square dominated by an enormous parish church that's dramatically oversized for the population — locals reportedly wanted to build the largest church in Malta but ran out of funds before completing the dome. The unfinished dome is a source of village pride rather than embarrassment. The surrounding countryside is scattered with cart ruts, megalithic sites, and the Bingemma valley. Property in Mgarr offers rural Malta at its most affordable. Farmhouses with land are still available, and the village has a genuine agricultural character that's disappeared from most of the island. The trade-off is distance — Mgarr is a 25-minute drive from Valletta with limited public transport.

Highlights

Annual Strawberry Festival — Malta's biggest food event
Working farms, vineyards, and olive groves
Farmhouse properties with land at affordable prices
Cart ruts and megalithic sites in the countryside
Genuinely rural Malta

Lifestyle Comparison

6/10

dining

5/10

9/10

family

7/10

9/10

safety

8/10

2/10

beaches

9/10

3/10

nightlife

2/10

6/10

transport

3/10

Which Area Is Right For You?

Choose Attard

families

Attard comes out ahead in dining, family, safety, nightlife, transport .

Choose Mgarr

nature lovers families

Mgarr comes out ahead in beaches .

Frequently Asked Questions

Attard is the stronger pick for dining, family, safety, nightlife, transport. Mgarr stands out for beaches. Attard is popular with families. Mgarr is popular with nature lovers and families.

Mgarr has a lower average rent at €1500/month compared to Attard's €1668 — a difference of around €168.

Attard and Mgarr are around 6 km apart — roughly a 15-minute drive depending on traffic.