St. Paul's Bay vs Xghajra
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
St. Paul's Bay scores higher for transport (8/10 vs 3/10) with direct bus routes to Valletta, while Xghajra requires a car for most daily needs. St. Paul's Bay offers stronger nightlife (5/10 vs 2/10) and dining (6/10 vs 4/10), with a population of 25,700 compared to Xghajra's 1,800 residents. Xghajra is closer to the airport — 15 minutes by car versus 30 minutes from St. Paul's Bay — and sits near the Three Cities.
St. Paul's Bay provides budget coastal property with year-round infrastructure including supermarkets, healthcare, and schools, plus easy access to the Gozo ferry terminal 20 minutes north. Xghajra delivers Grand Harbour entrance views and affordable coastal property but has virtually no local shops or services. St. Paul's Bay rates 8/10 for safety and 7/10 for family living; Xghajra matches the 8/10 safety score and also scores 7/10 for families, though its limited amenities and sparse property market restrict practical appeal.
Expansive northern coastal community
Tiny harbour-entrance coastal village
Living in St. Paul's Bay
St. Paul's Bay is Malta's largest northern coastal town — a sprawling stretch of shoreline that encompasses the old fishing village of Xemxija, the tourist strips of Bugibba and Qawra, and the residential community of Burmarrad inland. According to the Bible, St. Paul was shipwrecked here in AD 60, an event that brought Christianity to Malta and gave the area its name. The town has grown explosively over the past two decades, transforming from a quiet seasonal resort into a year-round community of over 25,000 residents. Retired British expats, Maltese families priced out of the central coast, and a growing number of foreign workers have all settled here, drawn by coastal living at more manageable prices than Sliema or St. Julian's. The waterfront is the town's main asset — a long promenade connecting the old fisherman's quay to Bugibba's square to Qawra's rocky beaches. The Malta National Aquarium sits at the Bugibba end, and the Xemxija Heritage Walk traces ancient cart ruts and Roman roads into the hills. Properties range from modern seafront apartments to older terraced houses inland, with prices significantly below the central coast.
Highlights
- Malta's largest coastal town by population
- Biblical shipwreck site of St. Paul
- Malta National Aquarium at Bugibba
- Rocky beaches and coastal promenade
- More affordable than the central coast
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
Which Area Is Right For You?
Choose St. Paul's Bay
St. Paul's Bay comes out ahead in dining, beaches, nightlife, transport .
Choose Xghajra
Xghajra comes out ahead .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
St. Paul's Bay (8 listings)
Direct Seafront – Modern Industrial Design – 192sqm Total Area
Modern 1-Bedroom Apartment in St Paul's Bay | €1,000
Saint Paul's Bay - Cosy 1 Bedroom Apartment - 1 Bathroom - Front Balcony - Lift - €800 Monthly
