Burmarrad vs Pembroke
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Burmarrad sits inland from St Paul's Bay and offers the lowest property prices in the northern area, with larger homes featuring gardens and private outdoor space. It scores 8/10 for safety and 7/10 for family suitability but just 2/10 for transport — a car is essential, as there are no local shops or services and only a single bus route (Route 49) serving the area. The population is around 1,500, and the atmosphere is quiet and rural, adjacent to Pwales Valley's agricultural land. St Paul's Bay amenities are a 5-minute drive away.
Pembroke, with a population of roughly 4,200, is a modern residential town positioned between St Julian's and the north. It scores 8/10 for both family suitability and safety, 7/10 for beaches, and 7/10 for transport, with three bus routes connecting to Sliema and Valletta. The town borders the Pembroke Garigue Nature Reserve and offers mid-range property prices. Malta International Airport is 30 minutes from both areas by car.
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 Pembroke
Pembroke is one of Malta's newest towns, built on land that served as a British military base from the 1860s until the navy left in 1979. Named after the 12th Earl of Pembroke, the area still bears visible traces of its military past — coastal fortifications, Victorian-era barracks, and gun emplacements that once guarded the approach to the Grand Harbour. The town has developed rapidly since the 1990s into a residential area popular with middle-class Maltese families and expat professionals. The housing stock is predominantly modern apartment blocks and terraced houses, with some newer villa developments on the eastern edge. Pembroke's big advantage is greenspace — the town sits adjacent to the Pembroke Garigue Nature Reserve, a protected area of rocky coastline and wild garigue habitat that's one of the few remaining natural spaces in urban Malta. Pembroke occupies a strategic position between St. Julian's and the northern coast. It's close enough to Paceville and Sliema to benefit from their amenities but far enough to escape the noise and congestion. Property prices sit in the mid-range — above the southern towns but below the premium coastal strip.
Highlights
- Pembroke Garigue Nature Reserve — protected coastline
- Former British military base with Victorian fortifications
- Mid-range property between St. Julian's and the north
- Popular with families and expat professionals
- Greenspace rare in this part of Malta
Lifestyle Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Burmarrad (1 listings)
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Pembroke (4 listings)
3 Bedroom Apartment in Pembroke
Apartment in Pembroke
3 Bedroom Property in Pembroke
