Munxar vs St. Julian's

Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.

Summary

Munxar is better for nature lovers and families seeking affordable, peaceful coastal living, while St. Julian's suits young professionals, tourists, and nightlife lovers wanting urban convenience.

Munxar is a cliff-top village of 1,500 residents on Gozo's south coast with a safety rating of 9/10 and beaches rated 8/10. Property prices are very affordable, even by Gozo standards. There are no shops, cafes, or restaurants in the village — Xlendi's dining and beach are a 5-minute drive away. Public transport is limited to one infrequent bus route, and reaching Malta's airport takes over 90 minutes including the ferry. Nightlife scores just 1/10.

St. Julian's has 13,200 residents and scores 10/10 for both dining and nightlife, centred on Paceville's bars and clubs. Transport rates 8/10 with multiple bus routes to Valletta, and the airport is 25 minutes by car. Rents are premium, parking is limited, and the Paceville area gets very noisy on weekends. Family suitability scores 4/10 compared to Munxar's 6/10.

Munxar

Tiny cliff-top village above Xlendi

St. Julian's

Lively coastal entertainment hub

€1000

Avg. Rent

€2093

Listings

Avg. Bedrooms

2.1

Limited. Village is tiny. Walk to Xlendi is possible but steep. Car recommended.

Walkability

Very good. Flat coastal promenade connects to Sliema. Paceville is entirely walkable. Some uphill streets heading inland.

Excellent. No parking issues.

Parking

Difficult, especially on weekends and evenings. Paceville is nearly impossible by car after 8pm. Portomaso has underground parking (paid).

Extremely low. One of the quietest villages in Gozo.

Noise Level

High in Paceville area. Moderate elsewhere. Spinola and Balluta are surprisingly peaceful considering proximity.

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 St. Julian's

St. Julian's is where Malta goes to play. By day it's a pleasant coastal town spread around Spinola Bay — one of the most photographed fishing boat harbours on the island — and Balluta Bay with its grand art nouveau houses. By night it becomes Paceville, the island's densest concentration of bars, clubs, casinos, and restaurants, drawing revellers from across Malta until the early hours. The town has a split personality that works in its favour. The Paceville side is loud, youthful, and commercial, home to international hotel chains and the Dragonara Casino. The Spinola and Balluta side is refined, with upscale restaurants housed in converted townhouses and a promenade that connects westward to Sliema. Portomaso, with its signature tower and marina, sits between the two — a luxury residential and commercial complex that symbolises the area's premium positioning. St. Julian's is the heart of Malta's iGaming and tech industries. Office buildings cluster around the Mriehel area and along the coast, making it the most convenient base for professionals working in these sectors. Property here commands some of the highest rents on the island, particularly in developments with sea views.

Highlights

Spinola Bay — iconic fishing boat harbour lined with restaurants
Paceville — Malta's nightlife district with dozens of bars and clubs
Portomaso Marina and luxury tower
Heart of Malta's iGaming industry
Balluta Bay with its art nouveau buildings

Lifestyle Comparison

4/10

dining

10/10

6/10

family

4/10

9/10

safety

6/10

8/10

beaches

5/10

1/10

nightlife

10/10

2/10

transport

8/10

Which Area Is Right For You?

Choose Munxar

nature lovers families

Munxar comes out ahead in family, safety, beaches .

Choose St. Julian's

young professionals nightlife lovers tourists

St. Julian's comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .

Frequently Asked Questions

Munxar is the stronger pick for family, safety, beaches. St. Julian's stands out for dining, nightlife, transport. Munxar is popular with nature lovers and families. St. Julian's is popular with young professionals and nightlife lovers and tourists.

Munxar has a lower average rent at €1000/month compared to St. Julian's €2093 — a difference of around €1093.

Munxar and St. Julian's are around 27 km apart — roughly a 68-minute drive depending on traffic.