Balzan vs Burmarrad
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Balzan scores 9/10 for family-friendliness and 8/10 for transport, with four bus routes (41, 42, 44, 45) on the central corridor to Valletta. Burmarrad scores 7/10 for family appeal but just 2/10 for transport, served only by Route 49 — a car is essential here. Balzan is 20 minutes from the airport by car; Burmarrad is 30 minutes. Burmarrad offers better beach access (6/10 vs 3/10) with St. Paul's Bay a 5-minute drive away, while Balzan is 20-25 minutes from the coast.
Balzan suits professionals who commute, with a walkable village centre, dining options, and a population of 4,500. Burmarrad (population 1,500) has no shops, cafes, or village centre, but provides larger properties with gardens at the most affordable prices in the northern area. Balzan offers stronger community feel and prestige as one of the Three Villages; Burmarrad offers open countryside views and rural isolation near Pwales Valley.
Living in Balzan
Balzan is the smallest of Malta's Three Villages — a compact residential enclave between Attard and Birkirkara that combines village charm with suburban convenience. The name comes from the Sicilian 'balzanu', meaning a type of silk, suggesting the area may once have been known for silk production during the medieval period. Despite its small size, Balzan has a well-defined village centre with a pleasant square, a baroque parish church, and enough cafes and shops for daily needs. The streets are narrow and predominantly residential, with a mix of traditional townhouses and modern apartment blocks. Balzan sits at the junction of several major roads, making it surprisingly well-connected for an inland village. Property in Balzan sits in the mid-range — more expensive than Birkirkara but less than Attard. It attracts families who want the Three Villages lifestyle without the premium of the larger neighbours. The compact size means everything is walkable, and the sense of community is strong.
Highlights
- Smallest of the prestigious Three Villages
- Walkable village centre with parish church
- Well-connected junction between Attard and Birkirkara
- Strong community feel
- Mid-range property with village atmosphere
Living in Burmarrad
Burmarrad is a small residential area on the inland edge of St. Paul's Bay — a flat, rural-feeling neighbourhood of modern houses and smallholdings that sits between the coast and the agricultural land of the Pwales Valley. It's not a traditional village with a church square; it's a spread-out residential community that grew as St. Paul's Bay expanded inland. The surrounding Pwales Valley is one of Malta's few remaining agricultural areas, with small farms producing vegetables, strawberries, and the tomatoes that go into Malta's famous sun-dried tomato paste. The valley floor is flat and green — a rarity in Malta — and the distant view of the Mellieha ridge provides a pleasant backdrop. Property in Burmarrad is among the most affordable in the St. Paul's Bay area. Buyers get larger properties with gardens — almost unheard of in coastal apartments — at prices well below the seafront. The trade-off is distance from the coast and a car-dependent lifestyle.
Highlights
- Pwales Valley — one of Malta's few agricultural areas
- Larger properties with gardens at affordable prices
- Flat terrain and open countryside views
- Part of the St. Paul's Bay area but quieter
- Close to Mistra Bay and Xemxija
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Balzan
Balzan comes out ahead in dining, family, safety, nightlife, transport .
Choose Burmarrad
Burmarrad comes out ahead in beaches .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Balzan (3 listings)
Luxury Modern Penthouse In Prestigious Balzan
Balzan | Brand-New 3-Bedroom Maisonette – €1,950/Month
