Pembroke vs San Lawrenz
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Modern residential town with military heritage
Remote plateau village beside dramatic coastal landmarks
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
Living in San Lawrenz
San Lawrenz is a tiny, tranquil village perched on Gozo's western plateau — the quietest corner of an already quiet island. With a population of under 800, it is one of the smallest localities in the Maltese archipelago, yet it sits beside some of Gozo's most dramatic natural landmarks. The village is the gateway to Dwejra Bay, home to the site where the Azure Window stood before its collapse in 2017, alongside the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock, and the Blue Hole — one of the Mediterranean's top diving sites. The village itself is a cluster of traditional limestone houses around a small church square. There are no hotels, no tourist shops, and virtually no commercial activity in the village core. Life here moves at the pace of farming, church bells, and the sea breeze off the western cliffs. The surrounding countryside is open and rugged, with panoramic views toward the sea and the dramatic coastal cliffs that define Gozo's western shore. San Lawrenz also hosts the Kempinski Hotel and its associated residences — one of Gozo's few SDA-designated developments. This creates an unusual contrast: one of Malta's most exclusive luxury addresses sitting alongside one of its most rural, traditional communities. Property in the village consists almost entirely of converted farmhouses and traditional houses, many with views toward the sea or across the open plateau.
Highlights
- Dwejra Bay — the Azure Window site, Inland Sea, and Blue Hole diving site
- Kempinski Residences — Gozo's most prestigious SDA luxury address
- One of the smallest and quietest villages in Malta
- Panoramic views of western Gozo's dramatic cliff coastline
- Fungus Rock — a protected islet once guarded by the Knights for its medicinal plant
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Pembroke
Pembroke comes out ahead in dining, family, nightlife, transport .
Choose San Lawrenz
San Lawrenz comes out ahead in safety, beaches .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Pembroke (3 listings)
Spacious Two Double Bedroom Apartment - PEMBROKE
LUXURY DESIGNER APARTMENT PEMBROKE
