Burmarrad vs Luqa

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

Summary

Burmarrad is better for families wanting rural space and coastal access, while Luqa wins for frequent flyers who need island-wide transport links. Burmarrad scores 8/10 for safety and 7/10 for family life, offering larger properties with gardens at the northern area's most affordable prices. Located 5 minutes inland from St. Paul's Bay, it suits families who want quiet countryside living near beaches rated 6/10. A car is essential — public transport scores just 2/10, with only Route 49 connecting to Valletta. The population of 1,500 keeps the atmosphere genuinely rural. Luqa rates 9/10 for transport as home to Malta International Airport, with express bus routes X1–X4 connecting the entire island. Property prices are among central Malta's most affordable, and family life scores 6/10. Aircraft noise is constant, and local amenities are limited. With 6,300 residents, Luqa has a stronger community feel. It suits families tied to aviation work, frequent travellers, and anyone prioritising transport connectivity over scenic surroundings. Luqa is 15 minutes from Valletta by bus; Burmarrad is roughly 30 minutes by car from the airport.

Burmarrad

Rural residential outskirts

Luqa

Airport town with aviation heritage

€1300

Avg. Rent

€1600

Listings

Avg. Bedrooms

Poor. Spread-out residential area with no central amenities. Car essential.

Walkability

Moderate. Town centre walkable. Airport is walkable but not pleasant — no proper pedestrian route.

Excellent. Private driveways and ample street parking.

Parking

Good. Residential streets have adequate parking. Airport parking is separate.

Very low. Rural quiet. Occasional farm machinery.

Noise Level

High. Aircraft noise is constant. The defining feature of living in Luqa.

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 Luqa

Luqa is a small town in Malta's south that's best known as the home of Malta International Airport — the island's only civil airport sits on what was once Luqa's farmland. The town's identity is inseparable from aviation: during WWII, RAF Luqa was a critical Allied airbase, and the airfield was bombed more heavily than any other target in Malta. The town centre, a short distance from the airport perimeter, is a traditional Maltese village with a parish church dedicated to St. Andrew. The church has an unusually ornate interior, with marblework and gilding that reflects Luqa's relative prosperity from airport employment over the decades. The surrounding streets mix traditional houses with more utilitarian post-war development. Property in Luqa is affordable and practical. The airport proximity is both its defining feature and its main drawback — convenient for travel but noisy. Prices are among the lowest in the urbanised part of Malta, making Luqa a practical choice for airport workers and budget-conscious buyers who value quick access to the terminal.

Highlights

Home to Malta International Airport
WWII airfield — one of the most bombed sites in the war
Most affordable property near the airport
Parish church with unusually ornate interior
Quick access to the airport terminal

Lifestyle Comparison

3/10

dining

4/10

7/10

family

6/10

8/10

safety

7/10

6/10

beaches

4/10

1/10

nightlife

3/10

2/10

transport

9/10

Which Area Is Right For You?

Choose Burmarrad

families

Burmarrad comes out ahead in family, safety, beaches .

Choose Luqa

families

Luqa comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .

Frequently Asked Questions

Burmarrad is the stronger pick for family, safety, beaches. Luqa stands out for dining, nightlife, transport. Burmarrad is popular with families. Luqa is popular with families.

Burmarrad has a lower average rent at €1300/month compared to Luqa's €1600 — a difference of around €300.

Burmarrad and Luqa are around 11 km apart — roughly a 28-minute drive depending on traffic.