St Julian's

St Julian’s spans a stretch of the Northern Harbour coastline that includes Paceville, Malta’s main nightlife and entertainment district, alongside quieter residential pockets such as Balluta and Portomaso. It is a major employment hub, particularly for Malta’s gaming and hospitality sectors.

Property market

Price levels in St Julian’s are close behind Sliema - NSO’s 2025 relative apartment price level data placed it at 157.43 against a national average of 100, having recovered sharply from a dip in the 2024 data - with premium developments such as Portomaso commanding some of the highest per-square-metre prices in Malta. Rental demand is very high, driven by relocating professionals working in the surrounding business districts.

Who buys in St Julian’s

St Julian’s suits investors targeting short-let and long-let rental income given the density of office employment nearby, as well as buyers who want proximity to nightlife and waterfront dining. Noise and density are higher than in more residential areas, which is worth factoring into any purchase decision.

Paceville, Portomaso and Balluta are not the same purchase

St Julian’s is really several distinct micro-markets sharing one locality name:

• Paceville: Malta’s main nightlife district. Cheaper per square metre than the rest of St Julian’s, strong short-let economics given footfall and tourism, but genuinely loud at night and not a comfortable fit for most owner-occupiers.
• Portomaso: a Special Designated Area marina development with its own price tier well above the rest of the locality - the premium here is partly the SDA status itself (no AIP restriction, no buyer-nationality cap) and partly the marina/hotel/business-tower setting. Confirm SDA status property-by-property rather than assuming it extends across all of St Julian’s.
• Balluta: a quieter, more residential stretch bordering Sliema, with older apartment blocks and a more owner-occupier-friendly feel than Paceville or Portomaso - see Sliema vs St Julian’s for how the border area compares.
• Swatar/upper St Julian’s, towards Pembroke: less waterfront prestige, generally better parking and quieter streets, at a somewhat lower price point.

What buyers often overlook

• “Sea view” can mean very different things here - an unobstructed Portomaso marina or open Mediterranean view, versus a partial view squeezed between two neighbouring blocks. Verify from the actual unit, not the building’s general reputation.
• New construction is constant in and around Paceville and the Portomaso approach roads - check whether a planned or in-progress development nearby could affect light, views or noise before buying.
• Parking is scarce, particularly around Paceville and the seafront, and is a genuine differentiator in rental appeal between otherwise similar units.
• Short-let economics favour some streets over others - proximity to Paceville’s entertainment core helps footfall-driven short-let demand but works against anyone wanting a quiet owner-occupied home; know which case you’re buying for before you commit.

See St Julian’s vs Swieqi for how the coastal locality compares against its calmer inland neighbour.