Hamrun vs Valletta
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 seeking affordable central living, while Valletta suits culture lovers, luxury buyers, and tourists wanting a premium UNESCO-listed lifestyle. Hamrun sits inland on the central corridor between Valletta and Birkirkara, with property prices significantly lower than its coastal and capital neighbours. It scores 9/10 for transport, served by bus routes 41, 42, 44, and 45, and sits just 15 minutes from the airport by car. Valletta, Malta's fortified capital, scores 10/10 for transport with its central bus terminus connecting to every town on the island, plus passenger ferries to Sliema in 10 minutes and the Three Cities in 5 minutes.
Valletta outperforms Hamrun on nightlife (8/10 vs 4/10), dining (10/10 vs 7/10), and safety (9/10 vs 7/10), with world-class restaurants and Michelin-recommended venues. Hamrun rates higher for families (7/10 vs 4/10) with its traditional community and daily shopping amenities along one of Malta's longest commercial streets. Neither area offers beaches, scoring 2/10 and 1/10 respectively. Hamrun has a population of 10,400 spread across a flat, walkable urban area, while Valletta houses just 5,157 residents in a compact 1-square-kilometer grid. Car ownership in Valletta is impractical due to extremely limited parking within the city walls.
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 Valletta
Valletta is a living museum — a UNESCO World Heritage city built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, designed on a grid plan so ahead of its time that it's still functional 450 years later. Every street reveals something remarkable: baroque churches with Caravaggio paintings inside, grand auberges that housed the knightly orders, and rooftop terraces with views across two harbours that have shaped Mediterranean history. As Malta's capital and administrative centre, Valletta punches well above its size. It packs government buildings, foreign embassies, boutique hotels, and a thriving restaurant scene into less than a square kilometre. The city went through a renaissance after its 2018 European Capital of Culture year — old buildings were restored, pedestrian zones expanded, and a creative community took root alongside the traditional Maltese families who've lived here for generations. Living in Valletta is a specific choice. Properties are predominantly historic townhouses and converted palazzos, often with original stone floors and enclosed wooden balconies. Space is at a premium, parking is almost nonexistent, and grocery shopping means visiting small shops rather than supermarkets. But residents gain something rare — a walkable city where the sea is always two streets away, where culture is on the doorstep, and where the evening paseggiata along the bastions at golden hour never gets old.
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage Site — entire city
- St. John's Co-Cathedral with Caravaggio's Beheading of St. John
- Barrakka Gardens with panoramic Grand Harbour views
- Grid-plan streets designed in 1566, still functional today
- 2018 European Capital of Culture
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Hamrun
Hamrun comes out ahead in family, beaches .
Choose Valletta
Valletta comes out ahead in dining, safety, nightlife, transport .
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
