Hamrun vs Mgarr
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Hamrun is better for budget buyers and young professionals who need central convenience, while Mgarr suits nature lovers and families seeking rural peace and coastal access.
Hamrun scores 9/10 for transport with multiple direct bus routes and sits just 15 minutes from the airport by car. Property here is affordable relative to coastal neighbours, with flat walkability to Valletta and Birkirkara. The lifestyle is practical: a 7/10 dining rating, a long traditional shopping street for daily needs, and strong community infrastructure. It rates 7/10 for families and safety but only 2/10 for beaches and 4/10 for nightlife. Traffic and noise on main roads are notable drawbacks.
Mgarr is Malta's agricultural heartland with a population of 4,100, scoring 9/10 for beaches and 8/10 for safety. It offers the island's most affordable farmhouses with land, plus clean air and minimal traffic. The trade-off is a 3/10 transport rating — a car is essential, with Valletta commutes exceeding 25 minutes. Village amenities are limited to basic shops, nightlife sits at 2/10, and traditional farmhouses can require significant maintenance. Mgarr to Hamrun is roughly 25 minutes by car across the island's central corridor.
Living in Hamrun
Hamrun is a dense, bustling town that connects the harbour area to Birkirkara and the interior — a through-town that most people pass through rather than visit, but one with a character and commercial strip that sustains a loyal local community. The main street is one of Malta's longest shopping streets, lined with traditional Maltese bakeries, butchers, and family-run shops alongside modern chains. The town has deep roots in Malta's political and social history. Hamrun was a centre of Maltese nationalism during the British colonial period, and several prominent Maltese politicians and intellectuals called it home. The parish church, dedicated to St. Cajetan, has an unusually tall bell tower that serves as a navigation landmark visible from across the harbour area. Property in Hamrun is affordable and practical. The town's central location — between Valletta, the Three Cities, and Birkirkara — makes it a convenient base for commuters. Prices sit well below the coastal strip and moderately below Birkirkara. The housing stock ranges from traditional terraced houses with interior courtyards to post-war apartment blocks.
Highlights
- One of Malta's longest traditional shopping streets
- Central location between Valletta and Birkirkara
- Affordable property with good transport links
- Deep political and cultural history
- Strong local community and traditional shops
Living in Mgarr
Mgarr is a rural village in northwest Malta that serves as the island's agricultural heartland. Surrounded by farmland, vineyards, and olive groves, Mgarr produces more of Malta's home-grown food than anywhere else — strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and the grapes that go into Malta's growing wine industry. The annual Strawberry Festival draws thousands of visitors each spring. The village centre is a traditional Maltese square dominated by an enormous parish church that's dramatically oversized for the population — locals reportedly wanted to build the largest church in Malta but ran out of funds before completing the dome. The unfinished dome is a source of village pride rather than embarrassment. The surrounding countryside is scattered with cart ruts, megalithic sites, and the Bingemma valley. Property in Mgarr offers rural Malta at its most affordable. Farmhouses with land are still available, and the village has a genuine agricultural character that's disappeared from most of the island. The trade-off is distance — Mgarr is a 25-minute drive from Valletta with limited public transport.
Highlights
- Annual Strawberry Festival — Malta's biggest food event
- Working farms, vineyards, and olive groves
- Farmhouse properties with land at affordable prices
- Cart ruts and megalithic sites in the countryside
- Genuinely rural Malta
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Hamrun
Hamrun comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .
Choose Mgarr
Mgarr comes out ahead in safety, beaches .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Hamrun (4 listings)
Hamrun - 2 Bedroom Terraced House - 2 Bathrooms - Air Conditioned - Garden - €5,000 Monthly
Room to rent in a private home
Hamrun – Brand New 1 Bedroom Apartment
Modern 2nd Floor Apartment in Hamrun/Marsa
Mgarr (2 listings)
New High end finishings 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom penthouse for Rent. Within walking distance of all amenities and Għnejna Beach. Beautiful apartment featuring elegant parquet floors.
