Gzira vs Xghajra
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Gzira scores 9/10 for transport compared to Xghajra's 3/10. Gzira has direct bus routes to Valletta, the University, and the airport, plus the Sliema ferry terminal within a 5-minute walk. Xghajra is served only by Route 3 from Valletta, making a car essential. Gzira's population of 9,800 supports a growing amenities base, while Xghajra's 1,800 residents have access to virtually no local shops or services.
Gzira outperforms in nightlife (6 vs 2) and dining (7 vs 4), with seafront promenade access connecting directly to Sliema. Xghajra offers a higher safety rating (8 vs 7), better beaches (6 vs 5), easier parking, and more affordable coastal property. Xghajra sits just 15 minutes from the airport by car versus Gzira's 25 minutes. Property in Xghajra provides some of the lowest coastal prices in the Grand Harbour area, while Gzira commands stronger rental demand driven by proximity to business districts and the University.
Living in Gzira
Gzira sits in the sweet spot between Sliema and Valletta — close enough to both to benefit from their amenities, but with its own identity and a more residential pace of life. The seafront looks out at Manoel Island and the fortified walls of Valletta across the creek, giving Gzira some of the best free harbour views on the island. The town has been quietly gentrifying over the past decade. Once considered a budget alternative to Sliema, Gzira now has its own crop of modern apartment developments, a growing restaurant scene, and the Manoel Island project poised to transform the western end into a luxury residential and marina district. The seafront promenade connects seamlessly to Sliema's — residents can walk from Gzira to Sliema's commercial strip in ten minutes. Gzira appeals to a broad demographic: young professionals priced out of Sliema, students at the nearby University of Malta campus, and families who value the area's relative quiet and good schools. Property prices sit below Sliema but above the island average, and the rental market is strong due to the area's walkability and transport links.
Highlights
- Direct views of Valletta's bastions across the creek
- Manoel Island — pending luxury development
- Seamless seafront promenade connection to Sliema
- More affordable than Sliema with similar convenience
- Strong rental market driven by proximity to university and business districts
Living in Xghajra
Xghajra is a tiny coastal village between Kalkara and Zabbar on the southern side of the Grand Harbour entrance — a small residential community that grew around a coastal watchtower and a handful of old farmhouses. The name means 'a small open space' in Maltese, describing the flat coastal ground where the village sits. The village has a small seafront promenade with a rocky swimming area, a handful of restaurants, and views across the harbour entrance to the Valletta fortifications. It's one of Malta's smallest and least-known localities — most visitors drive past it on the coast road between the Three Cities and the south without realising it's there. Property in Xghajra is affordable, particularly for a coastal location. The proximity to the Grand Harbour and the short distance to the Three Cities make it a practical, low-cost base with a sea view. The village is quiet and has limited amenities — residents rely on nearby Zabbar and Kalkara for shopping and services.
Highlights
- Views across the Grand Harbour entrance to Valletta
- Rocky swimming area and seafront promenade
- Affordable coastal property near the Three Cities
- One of Malta's smallest localities
- Quiet residential atmosphere
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Gzira
Gzira comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .
Choose Xghajra
Xghajra comes out ahead in safety, beaches .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Gzira (18 listings)
MODERN FAMILY HOME 3 BEDROOM APARTMENT GZIRA
Highly finished Apartment in Gzira
Modern 2 bed 2 bath Penthouse with Front Terrace, Gzira
