Fontana vs Kercem
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Fontana sits directly south of Victoria in a valley setting, just an 8-minute walk to the capital's shops and services. It scores 9/10 for safety and 8/10 for family suitability, with historic freshwater springs and stone laundries as its defining features. Kercem lies on Gozo's western edge near the island's highest point at Ta' Dbiegi, with direct access to cliff walking trails and Lunzjata Valley. Both villages rate 3/10 for public transport and require a car for practical daily living. The Mgarr ferry terminal is a 15-minute drive from either location.
Fontana's population of 1,000 maintains a strong traditional parish community with easy access to Xlendi Bay for coastal activities. Kercem's larger population of 1,900 includes a growing expatriate community and more space between properties. Neither area offers nightlife — both rate below 2/10 — making them inappropriate choices for anyone seeking entertainment or dining variety. Kercem scores higher for rural isolation at prices that are affordable even by Gozo standards, whereas Fontana trades valley views for immediate proximity to Gozo's capital.
Living in Fontana
Fontana, known in Maltese as It-Triq tal-Ghajn (the road of the spring), is a small Gozitan village nestled in a valley just south of Victoria. The village takes its name from a natural freshwater spring that has served the local community for centuries. The spring water was channeled into a system of washing basins — the famous Il-Lavandieri — stone-built communal laundries where Gozitan women gathered to wash clothes well into the 20th century. These restored laundry basins remain one of the village's most distinctive features. Fontana sits along the road from Victoria to Xlendi, making it a quiet residential area with easy access to both the capital and the coast. The village is surrounded by fertile valley land, and traditional stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Wied il-Lunzjata, one of Gozo's greenest valleys, runs through the area, offering shaded walking routes through agricultural land. Property in Fontana consists mainly of traditional Gozitan townhouses and converted farmhouses. Prices are among the most affordable in Gozo, and the village's proximity to Victoria — under ten minutes on foot — makes it a practical choice for those seeking quiet village life without isolation. The area has a small but active community centred around the parish church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Highlights
- Il-Lavandieri — restored 16th-century communal stone laundries fed by natural springs
- Wied il-Lunzjata — Gozo's greenest valley with walking trails
- Walking distance to Victoria (8 minutes)
- Traditional Gozitan farmhouses at affordable prices
- On the road to Xlendi Bay — easy coastal access
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 Fontana
Fontana comes out ahead in family, beaches, nightlife .
Choose Kercem
Kercem comes out ahead .
