Burmarrad vs Kercem
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Burmarrad suits families wanting affordable homes with gardens in Malta's north, while Kercem is better for families and nature lovers seeking a quieter, greener life on Gozo. Burmarrad sits inland from St. Paul's Bay, offering larger properties at the lowest prices in the northern area. It scores 8/10 for safety and 7/10 for family living. A car is essential — public transport scores just 2/10 — but St. Paul's Bay amenities are a 5-minute drive away, and Malta International Airport is 30 minutes by car. Kercem is a hillside village on Gozo's western edge with access to Lunzjata Valley's freshwater springs and walking trails to western cliffs. It scores 9/10 for safety, 7/10 for family living, and remains affordable even by Gozo standards. The Cirkewwa ferry terminal is 20 minutes north of Burmarrad by car, while Kercem connects to Victoria via bus route 311, with Mgarr ferry 15 minutes away.
Burmarrad's flat terrain and open countryside attract buyers wanting space and proximity to beaches (6/10 lifestyle rating), though the area has no local shops or cafes. Kercem offers a dining score of 4/10 and beach access rated 5/10, with Victoria's amenities close by. Both areas share a nightlife score of 1/10 and require a car. Burmarrad's population of 1,500 and Kercem's 1,900 reflect similarly small, quiet communities. Reaching Malta's airport from Kercem takes over 90 minutes including the ferry crossing.
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
Living in Kercem
Kercem is a village on the western edge of Gozo, spread across the slopes leading up to the island's highest point at Ta' Dbiegi. The village has a split character: the old core is a traditional Gozitan settlement with a parish church and narrow streets, while the surrounding countryside is some of Gozo's most attractive — rolling hills, olive groves, and walking trails that lead to the cliffs at San Lawrenz. The village is known for the Lunzjata Valley, a green corridor that runs through the western part of Gozo with freshwater springs that sustain vegetation year-round. The Villa Rundle Gardens, one of Gozo's few public green spaces, sit near Kercem's boundary. The area has attracted a small but growing community of foreign buyers drawn by the rural lifestyle and low property prices. Property in Kercem is affordable even by Gozo standards. Traditional village houses and modern apartments are both available, and the hilltop position offers views that stretch to the sea on a clear day. The village is peaceful and car-dependent, with basic amenities but no major commercial strip.
Highlights
- Gozo's highest point at Ta' Dbiegi nearby
- Lunzjata Valley — green corridor with freshwater springs
- Walking trails to western Gozo cliffs
- Affordable even by Gozo standards
- Growing community of foreign residents
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Burmarrad
Burmarrad comes out ahead in beaches .
Choose Kercem
Kercem comes out ahead in dining, safety, transport .
