Paola vs Sannat
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Paola scores 9/10 for transport as a major southern Malta bus interchange with direct routes to Valletta, the airport (10 minutes by car), and the Three Cities. Property prices are notably affordable compared to harbour area towns. Sannat rates 9/10 for safety but just 3/10 for transport — the village is car-dependent, served only by Gozo route 305 to Victoria, and sits over 90 minutes from the airport including the ferry crossing.
Paola offers practical urban living with a commercial district, outdoor market, law courts, and the UNESCO-listed Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, rating 7/10 for family suitability and 6/10 for safety. Sannat delivers a completely different lifestyle: cliff-top properties overlooking Ta' Cenc nature reserve, the fjord-like Mgarr ix-Xini swimming inlet, and traditional lacemaking heritage, scoring 7/10 for family appeal and 6/10 for beaches. Paola's nightlife rating is 3/10; Sannat's is 2/10.
Living in Paola
Paola is a busy southern town that serves as a gateway to the harbour area — the first major settlement you hit coming from the south toward the Three Cities and Valletta. Named after Grand Master Antoine de Paule, who founded it in the 1620s, Paola has evolved into a substantial residential and commercial hub with Malta's law courts, a large shopping district, and some of the island's most important archaeological sites. The Kordin temples and the Hypogeum sit within or near Paola's boundaries, making it archaeologically rich despite its modern appearance. The town's main square and parish church form the traditional centre, but Paola's commercial stretch along the main road is where daily life happens — hardware stores, bakeries, wedding dress shops, and a weekly outdoor market that draws bargain hunters from across Malta. Property in Paola is affordable and practical. The town sits at a transport crossroads — buses to Valletta, the Three Cities, and the south all pass through or near Paola. Corradino prison sits on the hilltop to the east, which affects property values in its immediate vicinity, but the rest of the town offers solid value for money in a well-connected location.
Highlights
- Hal Saflieni Hypogeum — UNESCO underground temple
- Malta's law courts and government offices
- Major bus interchange for southern Malta
- Affordable property with practical convenience
- Large commercial district with outdoor market
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 Paola
Paola comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .
Choose Sannat
Sannat comes out ahead in safety, beaches .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Paola (3 listings)
Brand New 2-Bedroom Apartment for Rent in Paola, Malta
I SAN PAWL TAT-TARGA APARTMENT FOR RENT
Brand New Double Bedroom Penthouse in Paola - Fully Finished, Air-Conditioned & Terrace
Sannat (5 listings)
Renovated Spacious Apartment with Open Views
This beautifully finished Apartment enjoys open, unobstructed views
3 Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment
