Mgarr vs Sannat
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Mgarr is better for mainland beach access and rural farmhouse living, while Sannat wins for dramatic cliff-top views and traditional Gozitan character. Mgarr sits in Malta's farming heartland with excellent access to beaches like Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha, both rated 9/10 for beach proximity. Sannat, perched on Gozo's south coast, offers spectacular cliff walks at Ta' Cenc plateau and swimming at Mgarr ix-Xini, with a beach rating of 6/10. Both villages score 7/10 for family suitability and have limited nightlife (2/10 each).
Transport is a challenge in both locations. Mgarr requires a car, with bus routes 44 and 45 from Valletta taking 25+ minutes. Sannat relies on Gozo route 305 to Victoria and is 90+ minutes from the airport including the ferry. Both villages have limited amenities, making a car essential for daily needs.
Mgarr suits nature lovers and families seeking affordable farmhouses with land and genuine agricultural community life, with a population of 4,100. Sannat, with 2,200 residents, appeals to families and tourists wanting exclusive cliff-top properties, traditional lacemaking heritage, and wild nature reserve walks. Both areas attract those prioritising peace, safety, and rural authenticity over convenience.
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
Living in Sannat
Sannat is a village on Gozo's southern cliffs, known for two things: the Ta' Cenc plateau — a wild, rocky headland with some of Gozo's most dramatic coastal scenery — and its lacemaking tradition, which produces the finest Gozitan lace still made by hand today. The village sits on the edge of Gozo's southern escarpment, where limestone cliffs drop into the Mediterranean. The Ta' Cenc area is a designated nature reserve with walking trails through garigue habitat, ancient cart ruts, and dolmens that predate the temples. Mgarr ix-Xini, a narrow inlet below the cliffs, is one of Gozo's most photogenic swimming spots — a fjord-like channel between sheer rock walls. Property in Sannat includes the Ta' Cenc Hotel and residential development, one of Gozo's most exclusive addresses. The hotel's villas command premium prices, while the village centre offers more affordable traditional houses. The cliff-edge position means views are spectacular but the walk to the nearest beach is a steep descent.
Highlights
- Ta' Cenc plateau — wild nature reserve with cliff walks
- Mgarr ix-Xini — fjord-like inlet for swimming
- Traditional Gozitan lacemaking still practised
- Exclusive cliff-top residential development
- Ancient dolmens and cart ruts on the plateau
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Mgarr
Mgarr comes out ahead in dining, beaches .
Choose Sannat
Sannat comes out ahead in safety .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
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.
MGARR - 2 BEDROOMS PENTHOUSE FOR RENT
Sannat (5 listings)
Renovated Spacious Apartment with Open Views
This beautifully finished Apartment enjoys open, unobstructed views
3 Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment
