Xemxija vs Xghajra
Side-by-side comparison of property prices, lifestyle, and practical info to help you choose the right area.
Summary
Xemxija sits on Malta's northern coast with a population of 2,000 and scores highly for safety (8/10) and family-friendliness (7/10). Four bus routes connect it to Valletta and Sliema, and Cirkewwa ferry terminal for Gozo is 15 minutes north by car. The Xemxija Heritage Walk covers 5,000 years of archaeology across 2km. Rocky beaches rate 7/10, and sandy shores at Mellieha Bay and Golden Bay are a short drive away. The airport is 30 minutes by car.
Xghajra has 1,800 residents at the Grand Harbour's southern entrance, with airport access in just 15 minutes by car. Coastal property here ranks among the most affordable near the Three Cities. Safety also rates 8/10, but transport drops to 3/10 — only bus route 3 from Valletta serves the village, making a car essential. Beaches score 6/10 for rocky swimming only. Xghajra has virtually no shops, dining, or nightlife within the village itself.
Living in Xemxija
Xemxija is a small coastal hamlet at the western end of St. Paul's Bay — a quieter, more residential alternative to the tourist strips of Bugibba and Qawra. The name means 'sunny' in Maltese, and the sheltered bay lives up to it, catching afternoon sun long after the north-facing parts of St. Paul's Bay have gone into shadow. The hamlet is tiny — a handful of restaurants, a small beach, a hillside of apartment blocks, and a marina. But its surroundings are rich with history. The Xemxija Heritage Walk is a 2km trail that passes Roman apiaries, cart ruts carved into the limestone, a Neolithic menhir, and a Knights-era watchtower — essentially a compressed timeline of Maltese civilisation in a single walk. Property in Xemxija is modestly priced and popular with buyers who want northern coastal living without the full tourist intensity of Bugibba. The marina adds a premium for waterfront properties, and the area has a small but loyal year-round community.
Highlights
- Xemxija Heritage Walk — 5,000 years of history in 2km
- Sheltered bay with afternoon sun
- Marina and waterfront restaurants
- Quieter alternative to Bugibba and Qawra
- Loyal year-round residential community
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 Xemxija
Xemxija comes out ahead in beaches, transport .
Choose Xghajra
Xghajra comes out ahead .
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Properties
Xemxija (8 listings)
Sea Front Apartment Xemxija
3 Bedroom Apartment for Rent – XEMXIJA,Malta
Xemxija, seafront modern and very cozy ground floor studio apartment for long let
