St. Julian's vs Xghajra

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

Summary

St. Julian's is better for young professionals and nightlife lovers wanting urban energy, while Xghajra suits budget buyers and beach lovers seeking quiet coastal living. St. Julian's scores 10/10 for nightlife and dining, functioning as Malta's entertainment capital with Paceville's bars, Spinola Bay restaurants, and the Portomaso marina. Public transport rates 8/10 with bus routes 12, 13, 14, and 16 connecting to Valletta, plus the Sliema ferry five minutes away. The trade-off is noise (safety scores 6/10), tourist crowds, premium rents, and heavy traffic. The population of 13,200 reflects its density. Xghajra, with just 1,800 residents, offers affordable coastal property with direct Grand Harbour views towards Valletta. Safety rates 8/10 and the family lifestyle scores 7/10, with a rocky seafront for swimming away from crowds. However, transport scores only 3/10 — just a single bus route (Route 3) serves the village, making a car essential. Local amenities are minimal, with no significant shops or dining within the village. Xghajra sits 15 minutes from the airport by car, compared to St. Julian's 25 minutes.

St. Julian's

Lively coastal entertainment hub

Xghajra

Tiny harbour-entrance coastal village

€2176

Avg. Rent

€900

Listings

2.1

Avg. Bedrooms

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

Walkability

Good. Small village. Connected to Kalkara on foot. Flat terrain.

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

Parking

Good. Easy parking in the village. Seafront can fill on summer evenings.

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

Noise Level

Low. Quiet residential village. Some harbour activity noise.

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

Living in Xghajra

Xghajra is a tiny coastal village between Kalkara and Zabbar on the southern side of the Grand Harbour entrance — a small residential community that grew around a coastal watchtower and a handful of old farmhouses. The name means 'a small open space' in Maltese, describing the flat coastal ground where the village sits. The village has a small seafront promenade with a rocky swimming area, a handful of restaurants, and views across the harbour entrance to the Valletta fortifications. It's one of Malta's smallest and least-known localities — most visitors drive past it on the coast road between the Three Cities and the south without realising it's there. Property in Xghajra is affordable, particularly for a coastal location. The proximity to the Grand Harbour and the short distance to the Three Cities make it a practical, low-cost base with a sea view. The village is quiet and has limited amenities — residents rely on nearby Zabbar and Kalkara for shopping and services.

Highlights

Views across the Grand Harbour entrance to Valletta
Rocky swimming area and seafront promenade
Affordable coastal property near the Three Cities
One of Malta's smallest localities
Quiet residential atmosphere

Lifestyle Comparison

10/10

dining

4/10

family

7/10

6/10

safety

8/10

5/10

beaches

6/10

10/10

nightlife

2/10

8/10

transport

3/10

Which Area Is Right For You?

Choose St. Julian's

young professionals nightlife lovers tourists

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

Choose Xghajra

budget buyers beach lovers

Xghajra comes out ahead in family, safety, beaches .

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Julian's is the stronger pick for dining, nightlife, transport. Xghajra stands out for family, safety, beaches. St. Julian's is popular with young professionals and nightlife lovers and tourists. Xghajra is popular with budget buyers and beach lovers.

Xghajra has a lower average rent at €900/month compared to St. Julian's €2176 — a difference of around €1276.

St. Julian's and Xghajra are around 6 km apart — roughly a 15-minute drive depending on traffic.