St. Julian's vs Zebbug (Gozo)

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 seeking an active coastal lifestyle, while Zebbug in Gozo suits retirees and nature lovers wanting affordable, peaceful village living. St. Julian's scores 10/10 for nightlife and dining, with direct bus routes to Valletta and a 25-minute drive to the airport. Zebbug rates 9/10 for safety and 7/10 for beaches but only 2/10 for transport, relying on an infrequent bus to Victoria and requiring 90-plus minutes to reach the airport via the Gozo ferry. Property in Zebbug ranks among Gozo's most affordable, with traditional houses offering panoramic views from one of the island's highest villages. It has no shops, cafes, or restaurants locally. St. Julian's commands premium rents comparable to Sliema, with a population of 13,200 versus Zebbug's 1,400, and delivers full urban amenities including the Portomaso marina and Paceville entertainment district. St. Julian's is a 5-minute drive from the Sliema ferry terminal. Zebbug sits 20 minutes by car from the Mgarr ferry terminal and offers direct walking access to Marsalforn's salt pans.

St. Julian's

Lively coastal entertainment hub

Zebbug (Gozo)

Tiny northern hilltop hamlet

€2093

Avg. Rent

€1200

Listings

2.1

Avg. Bedrooms

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

Walkability

Limited. Village is walkable but has no amenities. Countryside walks are excellent. Car essential for daily needs.

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

Parking

Excellent. No parking issues whatsoever.

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

Noise Level

Extremely low. One of the quietest inhabited places in the Maltese islands.

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 Zebbug (Gozo)

Zebbug is a small hilltop village in northern Gozo — not to be confused with the larger Haz-Zebbug on Malta. The name means 'olives' in Maltese, a reference to the olive groves that once covered the surrounding hillsides. It's one of Gozo's highest points, and the views from the church square take in the entire northern coastline. The village is small even by Gozitan standards, with a single square, a parish church, and a few streets of traditional houses. The surrounding countryside is some of Gozo's finest — open farmland, dry stone walls, and walking trails that lead to the coast at Marsalforn and Qbajjar. The Zebbug plateau has several prehistoric sites, including cart ruts and megalithic remains that are yet to be fully excavated. Property in Zebbug is among the most affordable in Gozo. Traditional houses with views come at prices that are remarkably low for the quality of life on offer. The village has minimal amenities — a church, a band club, and a few houses — which is either a drawback or the whole point, depending on your perspective.

Highlights

One of Gozo's highest villages with panoramic northern views
Named after historic olive groves
Walk to Marsalforn and the salt pans
Prehistoric cart ruts and unexcavated megalithic sites
Among the most affordable property in Gozo

Lifestyle Comparison

10/10

dining

3/10

4/10

family

5/10

6/10

safety

9/10

5/10

beaches

7/10

10/10

nightlife

1/10

8/10

transport

2/10

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 Zebbug (Gozo)

nature lovers retirees

Zebbug (Gozo) comes out ahead in family, safety, beaches .

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Julian's is the stronger pick for dining, nightlife, transport. Zebbug (Gozo) stands out for family, safety, beaches. St. Julian's is popular with young professionals and nightlife lovers and tourists. Zebbug (Gozo) is popular with nature lovers and retirees.

Zebbug (Gozo) has a lower average rent at €1200/month compared to St. Julian's €2093 — a difference of around €893.

St. Julian's and Zebbug (Gozo) are around 28 km apart — roughly a 70-minute drive depending on traffic.