Munxar vs Pembroke
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Munxar sits on Gozo's south coast above Xlendi Bay with a population of 1,500 and cliff-top views. Property here is very affordable even by Gozo standards, but there are no shops, cafes, or restaurants in the village. Xlendi's beach and dining are a 5-minute drive away. Public transport is limited to route 306 to Victoria, and reaching Malta International Airport takes over 90 minutes including the ferry. The area scores 9/10 for safety and 8/10 for beaches but just 2/10 for transport and 1/10 for nightlife.
Pembroke has 4,200 residents and sits strategically between St. Julian's and northern beaches. It scores 8/10 for family life, 7/10 for transport, and 8/10 for safety. Multiple bus routes connect to Sliema and Valletta, the airport is 30 minutes by car, and the Pembroke Garigue Nature Reserve provides protected coastal greenspace. Property is mid-range for the coastal strip, with modern housing stock and parking. Munxar suits nature lovers and families prioritising quiet and affordability. Pembroke suits families and expat professionals who want residential calm with quick access to amenities.
Tiny cliff-top village above Xlendi
Modern residential town with military heritage
Living in Munxar
Munxar is a small village on Gozo's south coast, perched on the cliffs between Sannat and Xlendi. The name means 'bucksaw' in Maltese, supposedly referring to the jagged shape of the coastline below the village. It's one of Gozo's least-known villages — most visitors drive past it on their way to Xlendi without realising it's there. The village centre is tiny — a church, a square, and a few streets of traditional houses. But Munxar's real identity is tied to the coastline below: Ta' Cenc plateau extends to its west, and the cliffs between Munxar and Xlendi contain some of Gozo's most dramatic coastal scenery. Mgarr ix-Xini, the fjord-like inlet shared with Sannat, is accessible from Munxar's side. Property in Munxar is very affordable, even by Gozo standards. Traditional houses with sea views are available at prices that seem extraordinary given the coastal position. The village has minimal amenities — a church, a social club, and not much else. Xlendi's restaurants are a five-minute drive.
Highlights
- Cliff-top position above Xlendi Bay
- Access to Ta' Cenc plateau walks
- Very affordable even by Gozo standards
- Dramatic coastal scenery on the doorstep
- Five minutes from Xlendi's restaurants
Living in Pembroke
Pembroke is one of Malta's newest towns, built on land that served as a British military base from the 1860s until the navy left in 1979. Named after the 12th Earl of Pembroke, the area still bears visible traces of its military past — coastal fortifications, Victorian-era barracks, and gun emplacements that once guarded the approach to the Grand Harbour. The town has developed rapidly since the 1990s into a residential area popular with middle-class Maltese families and expat professionals. The housing stock is predominantly modern apartment blocks and terraced houses, with some newer villa developments on the eastern edge. Pembroke's big advantage is greenspace — the town sits adjacent to the Pembroke Garigue Nature Reserve, a protected area of rocky coastline and wild garigue habitat that's one of the few remaining natural spaces in urban Malta. Pembroke occupies a strategic position between St. Julian's and the northern coast. It's close enough to Paceville and Sliema to benefit from their amenities but far enough to escape the noise and congestion. Property prices sit in the mid-range — above the southern towns but below the premium coastal strip.
Highlights
- Pembroke Garigue Nature Reserve — protected coastline
- Former British military base with Victorian fortifications
- Mid-range property between St. Julian's and the north
- Popular with families and expat professionals
- Greenspace rare in this part of Malta
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Munxar
Munxar comes out ahead in safety, beaches .
Choose Pembroke
Pembroke comes out ahead in dining, family, nightlife, transport .
