Burmarrad vs Sliema

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

Summary

Burmarrad is better for families seeking affordable, spacious homes with gardens, while Sliema suits young professionals, digital nomads, and luxury buyers who prioritise walkability and waterfront living.

Burmarrad is a quiet, rural residential area on the inland edge of St. Paul's Bay with a population of around 1,500. Properties here are among the most affordable in northern Malta, offering larger footprints with private outdoor space and countryside views. However, the area lacks local amenities entirely and scores just 2/10 for public transport, making a car essential. It rates 8/10 for safety and 7/10 for family suitability but only 1/10 for nightlife and 3/10 for dining. The coast at Xemxija is a 5-minute drive away.

Sliema is Malta's busiest waterfront hub with a population of roughly 26,500 and the island's most active rental market. It scores 9/10 for both dining and transport, with buses to Valletta running every few minutes and a 10-minute fast ferry crossing. The 3km seafront promenade, rocky beaches, and The Point shopping mall are all within walking distance. Rents are the highest in Malta outside Valletta, and the urban environment rates only 5/10 for family suitability. Malta International Airport is 25 minutes away by car or direct bus.

Burmarrad

Rural residential outskirts

Sliema

Bustling waterfront hub

€1300

Avg. Rent

€1669

Listings

Avg. Bedrooms

1.7

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

Walkability

Excellent. Most amenities within walking distance. Flat terrain along the promenade.

Excellent. Private driveways and ample street parking.

Parking

Very difficult. Street parking is scarce and mostly resident-permit only. Public car parks at Tigne Point and The Strand fill quickly.

Very low. Rural quiet. Occasional farm machinery.

Noise Level

Moderate to high. Traffic on main roads, restaurant noise in evenings, construction is common.

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 Sliema

Sliema is Malta's premier waterfront district, a vibrant stretch of coastline where modern apartment towers meet historic townhouses along a sweeping seafront promenade. Once a quiet fishing village favoured by Valletta's upper class as a summer retreat, Sliema transformed in the 20th century into the island's commercial and residential hub. The Strand and Tower Road form the backbone of daily life here, lined with cafes, restaurants, and retail chains that draw both locals and tourists year-round. The area is defined by its rocky beaches and swimming spots — no sand, but plenty of lidos and concrete platforms where residents take their morning dip with views across to Valletta's Grand Harbour. The Ferries terminal connects Sliema to the capital in under ten minutes by boat, making it one of the best-connected spots on the island. Tigne Point and The Point Shopping Mall anchor the northern end, while the quieter Exiles and Qui-Si-Sana areas offer respite from the commercial buzz. Sliema is the default choice for expats relocating to Malta, particularly those working in the gaming, finance, and tech sectors. The property market here is the most active on the island, with a high turnover of rental apartments and a steady pipeline of new developments. Parking is notoriously difficult and traffic congestion is a daily reality, but most residents find that walkability and proximity to everything compensate.

Highlights

Seafront promenade stretching 3km along the coast
10-minute ferry to Valletta
The Point — Malta's largest shopping mall
Rocky beaches and swimming lidos
Highest concentration of modern apartments on the island

Lifestyle Comparison

3/10

dining

9/10

7/10

family

5/10

8/10

safety

7/10

6/10

beaches

5/10

1/10

nightlife

8/10

2/10

transport

9/10

Which Area Is Right For You?

Choose Burmarrad

families

Burmarrad comes out ahead in family, safety, beaches .

Choose Sliema

young professionals digital nomads luxury buyers

Sliema comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .

Frequently Asked Questions

Burmarrad is the stronger pick for family, safety, beaches. Sliema stands out for dining, nightlife, transport. Burmarrad is popular with families. Sliema is popular with young professionals and digital nomads and luxury buyers.

Burmarrad has a lower average rent at €1300/month compared to Sliema's €1669 — a difference of around €369.

Burmarrad and Sliema are around 8 km apart — roughly a 20-minute drive depending on traffic.