Living in Gżira, Malta — Area Guide for Buyers

Key facts

Location: Marsamxett Harbour, between Sliema and Ta’ Xbiex
Waterfront: The Strand, facing Manoel Island and Valletta
Landmark: Fort Manoel on Manoel Island
Homes: Apartments, penthouses, townhouses

Gżira runs along Marsamxett Harbour between Sliema and Ta’ Xbiex. Its seafront, the Strand, looks across to Manoel Island and the bastions of Valletta, lit up at night.

The waterfront

The Strand is lined with restaurants, cafés and bars, and the harbour is busy with yachts from the nearby marinas. A bridge from the Strand is the only land access to Manoel Island, home to Fort Manoel — completed in the 1720s for Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena — and the remains of the Lazzaretto, the old quarantine hospital.

Property in Gżira

Seafront apartments and penthouses with harbour and Valletta views.
Apartments in the streets behind the front, popular with tenants.
Older townhouses in the village core.

Browse the Ta’ Xbiex and Gżira area guide.

Who it suits

Professionals who want to walk to Sliema and take the ferry to Valletta; investors looking for strong rental demand; and buyers who want harbour views for less than Sliema prices.

Questions & answers

Is Gżira a good place to live?

For people who want Sliema’s convenience at a lower price: the promenade, restaurants and the ferry to Valletta are within walking distance, and many apartments have harbour views.

What is on Manoel Island?

Fort Manoel, an 18th-century fort commissioned by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena, and the remains of the old Lazzaretto quarantine hospital. The island is reached by a bridge from the Gżira Strand.

Can foreigners buy property in Gżira?

Yes. EU citizens buying their main residence need no permit; non-EU buyers, and EU citizens buying a second home, normally need an AIP permit unless the property is in a Special Designated Area. See our AIP permit guide.

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