Hamrun vs Ta' Xbiex
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Property prices reflect this divide sharply. Hamrun offers some of Malta's most affordable real estate with a transport rating of 9/10, served by bus routes 41, 42, 44, and 45 along the central corridor. Ta' Xbiex commands premium prices for its marina and harbour views, with a perfect safety rating of 10/10 and a quieter, exclusive atmosphere home to numerous foreign embassies. Both areas score 7/10 for family suitability, but Ta' Xbiex edges ahead on dining (8/10 vs 7/10) and nightlife (6/10 vs 4/10).
Hamrun sits between Valletta and Birkirkara with a 15-minute drive to the airport and one of Malta's longest traditional shopping streets. Ta' Xbiex sits on the Sliema–Valletta bus route (routes 13, 15), with the Sliema ferry just a 5-minute walk away, though airport access takes 25 minutes by car. Hamrun's 10,400 residents enjoy walkable flat terrain to neighbouring towns, while Ta' Xbiex's small 2,200-strong community benefits from immediate access to Gzira and Sliema amenities.
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 Ta' Xbiex
Ta' Xbiex is a tiny, prestigious waterfront locality between Gzira and Msida — barely a neighbourhood by most standards, but home to several foreign embassies, a marina, and some of the most expensive apartments on the harbour. The name means 'threshing floor' in Maltese, though you'd never guess it from the current property values. The seafront promenade is Ta' Xbiex's crown jewel. It looks out across Marsamxett Harbour to Valletta's fortifications, with yacht masts from the marina filling the foreground. Several diplomatic residences line the waterfront — the British, Australian, and Egyptian embassies among them — giving the area a quiet, exclusive atmosphere. Property here is premium. Apartments with harbour views command prices comparable to Sliema's best addresses, and the limited supply keeps values stable. Ta' Xbiex appeals to professionals and diplomats who want harbour views without Sliema's commercial density. There's no real commercial strip — you walk to Gzira for groceries and restaurants — but for a certain type of buyer, that's exactly the point.
Highlights
- Foreign embassy row — diplomatic enclave
- Yacht marina and harbour views
- Walk to Valletta via ferry from neighbouring Gzira
- Prestige address with limited supply
- Quiet residential atmosphere
Lifestyle Comparison
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
