Mgarr vs Xemxija
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Mgarr sits in Malta's farming heartland with direct access to the island's best sandy beaches — Ghajn Tuffieha, Golden Bay, and Gnejna Bay — earning a beach rating of 9/10 compared to Xemxija's 7/10. The village offers the most affordable farmhouses and properties with land in Malta but requires a car, with a 25+ minute drive to Valletta on routes 44 and 45. Xemxija provides stronger transport links, scoring 6/10 versus Mgarr's 3/10, with four bus routes serving the northern coast road and the Gozo ferry just 15 minutes north by car.
Both locations are quiet with limited nightlife (each scoring 2/10) and strong safety ratings (8/10). Mgarr's population of 4,100 maintains a traditional agricultural community centred on its annual Strawberry Festival and working vineyards. Xemxija, with 2,000 residents, features a unique 2km heritage walk through 5,000 years of archaeological sites and a sheltered marina. Mgarr suits buyers seeking land and rural character; Xemxija suits those prioritising coastal views, better bus connections, and proximity to Gozo.
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 Xemxija
Xemxija is a small coastal hamlet at the western end of St. Paul's Bay — a quieter, more residential alternative to the tourist strips of Bugibba and Qawra. The name means 'sunny' in Maltese, and the sheltered bay lives up to it, catching afternoon sun long after the north-facing parts of St. Paul's Bay have gone into shadow. The hamlet is tiny — a handful of restaurants, a small beach, a hillside of apartment blocks, and a marina. But its surroundings are rich with history. The Xemxija Heritage Walk is a 2km trail that passes Roman apiaries, cart ruts carved into the limestone, a Neolithic menhir, and a Knights-era watchtower — essentially a compressed timeline of Maltese civilisation in a single walk. Property in Xemxija is modestly priced and popular with buyers who want northern coastal living without the full tourist intensity of Bugibba. The marina adds a premium for waterfront properties, and the area has a small but loyal year-round community.
Highlights
- Xemxija Heritage Walk — 5,000 years of history in 2km
- Sheltered bay with afternoon sun
- Marina and waterfront restaurants
- Quieter alternative to Bugibba and Qawra
- Loyal year-round residential community
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Mgarr
Mgarr comes out ahead in dining, beaches .
Choose Xemxija
Xemxija comes out ahead in transport .
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
Xemxija (8 listings)
Sea Front Apartment Xemxija
3 Bedroom Apartment for Rent – XEMXIJA,Malta
Xemxija, seafront modern and very cozy ground floor studio apartment for long let
