The south-east of Malta feels different from the harbour towns — more traditional, less developed and rich in character. Marsaxlokk is a working fishing village, its harbour crowded with luzzu boats in yellow, blue, red and green. A short drive inland, Żejtun is one of Malta’s oldest towns, with a historic core of palazzi, chapels and houses of character.
Marsaxlokk
Life revolves around the water. The Sunday market along the waterfront is known for its fresh fish, and seafood restaurants line the harbour. Homes range from apartments with harbour views to traditional houses in the streets behind the front.
Żejtun
Żejtun’s streets hold some of the south’s finest historic architecture — the baroque parish church of St Catherine, wayside chapels and old family palazzi. Its historic core offers houses of character with courtyards and gardens, often with more space than similar homes in the harbour area. We regularly offer historic homes here — see the listings below.
Why buyers look south
- Character — traditional architecture and authentic village life.
- Space — larger historic homes and gardens.
- Residency — the Global Residence Programme and Retirement Programme set lower thresholds in the South of Malta; confirm that a specific locality qualifies with your mandatary.
What to check
Historic homes need specialist checks — permits, roofs, beams, wells and damp. Historic cores may fall within Urban Conservation Areas, where incentives may apply. Read buying a house of character.
