Sliema vs Zabbar
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Sliema is better for professionals, digital nomads, and luxury buyers seeking walkable waterfront living, while Ħaż-Żabbar suits families looking for affordable traditional residential life. Sliema scores 9/10 for transport, dining, and nightlife, with a 10-minute ferry to Valletta and direct airport bus links. Ħaż-Żabbar scores 8/10 for family life and 7/10 for beaches, sitting just 10 minutes from Marsaskala's coast and 15 minutes from Valletta by car.
Sliema has Malta's most active rental market but the highest rents outside Valletta. It is dense and urban with limited green space and tourist crowds in summer. Ħaż-Żabbar offers among the lowest property prices in urban Malta, excellent parking, and a strong community identity, though a car is essentially required and dining and nightlife options are limited.
Sliema's 3km seafront promenade and major shopping hub make it the default for expat convenience. Ħaż-Żabbar draws residents focused on traditional Maltese culture and value, though September's festa brings sustained fireworks noise. Sliema connects to Valletta every few minutes by bus; Ħaż-Żabbar is served by routes 3, 4, and 6 with less frequency.
Living in Sliema
Sliema is Malta's premier waterfront district, a vibrant stretch of coastline where modern apartment towers meet historic townhouses along a sweeping seafront promenade. Once a quiet fishing village favoured by Valletta's upper class as a summer retreat, Sliema transformed in the 20th century into the island's commercial and residential hub. The Strand and Tower Road form the backbone of daily life here, lined with cafes, restaurants, and retail chains that draw both locals and tourists year-round. The area is defined by its rocky beaches and swimming spots — no sand, but plenty of lidos and concrete platforms where residents take their morning dip with views across to Valletta's Grand Harbour. The Ferries terminal connects Sliema to the capital in under ten minutes by boat, making it one of the best-connected spots on the island. Tigne Point and The Point Shopping Mall anchor the northern end, while the quieter Exiles and Qui-Si-Sana areas offer respite from the commercial buzz. Sliema is the default choice for expats relocating to Malta, particularly those working in the gaming, finance, and tech sectors. The property market here is the most active on the island, with a high turnover of rental apartments and a steady pipeline of new developments. Parking is notoriously difficult and traffic congestion is a daily reality, but most residents find that walkability and proximity to everything compensate.
Highlights
- Seafront promenade stretching 3km along the coast
- 10-minute ferry to Valletta
- The Point — Malta's largest shopping mall
- Rocky beaches and swimming lidos
- Highest concentration of modern apartments on the island
Living in Zabbar
Zabbar is one of Malta's largest inland towns — a sprawling residential community southeast of the Grand Harbour area with a strong working-class identity and a devotion to its patron saint that borders on the legendary. The town was granted the title Città Hompesch by Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch in 1797, just before Napoleon expelled the Knights in 1798. The town centre is built around a large parish church dedicated to Our Lady of Graces, which holds a remarkable collection of ex-voto paintings — offerings from sailors and soldiers who survived shipwrecks and battles, each depicting the incident that nearly killed them. The collection is one of the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean and worth a visit regardless of religious inclination. Zabbar is a practical, affordable base. Property prices are among the lowest in the urbanised part of Malta, and the town has all daily amenities — schools, shops, medical services. It's not a destination town — tourists rarely visit — but for residents it offers authentic Maltese life without the premium of coastal locations. The drive to Valletta takes about 15 minutes, and Marsaskala's beaches are ten minutes south.
Highlights
- One of Malta's largest towns by population
- Extraordinary collection of ex-voto paintings in the parish church
- Among the most affordable property in urban Malta
- Strong community and traditional Maltese life
- 10 minutes from Marsaskala beaches
Lifestyle Comparison
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose Sliema
Sliema comes out ahead in dining, nightlife, transport .
Choose Zabbar
Zabbar comes out ahead in family, beaches .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Sliema (22 listings)
1-Bedroom Apartment in Sliema, Malta
3 Bedroom Apartment in Sliema - €1800/month
Sliema Penthouse
