This is the final article in our six-week series on the best places to live in Malta for expats, and we are finishing where the pace changes completely: Gozo.
It is still Malta, just with the volume turned down. A short ferry ride and the island starts to feel wider, quieter, and more intentional, the kind of place where “quick coffee” can accidentally become “see you at lunch”.
Quick Overview
- Vibe: slower, spacious, village-led, coastal
- Best for: remote workers, families, retirees, lifestyle relocations
- Watch-outs: ferry dependency, fewer corporate hubs, quieter nightlife
- Reality check: Gozo rewards people who plan their week, not their nightlife
Connectivity
Gozo is connected to Malta via the Gozo Channel ferry between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr, with a crossing time of about 25 minutes.
For foot passengers, there is also a high-speed service between Valletta and Mġarr that takes 45 minutes.
Expat Snapshot
Gozo has a more local feel than many mainland districts, and the numbers support the vibe. NSO figures reported in 2025 put the Gozo and Comino region at 41,253 residents at end-2024, including 9,492 foreign nationals, which is roughly 23% foreign residents.
In practice, expats are present, but you do not get “expat zones”, you get expats folded into village life.
Town Pics
Victoria (Rabat)
Victoria is Gozo’s practical centre, the place you end up using even if you live elsewhere. It is the island’s administrative and commercial heart, with daily essentials close by, and a town layout that actually supports living, not just visiting. It’s appealing for expats, based on its convenience – where all the needs are within a reach.
Property feel: mostly apartments and townhouses, often offering more space than central Malta for the same budget. Property range: 700+ for two-bedroom apartments and 900+ for three-bedroom.
Good for: families with children ✅ | remote workers ✅ | people who want everything within reach ✅
Marsalforn
Marsalforn is Gozo’s most active seaside hub, with a promenade, swimming spots, and that “I can walk to dinner” summer energy. It is lively by Gozo standards, which is to say, you will still hear birds in the morning. The village mainly consists of apartments, including seafront units, with stronger seasonal demand.
Good for: social expats ✅ | coastal living ✅ | hybrid remote lifestyles ✅
Xlendi
Xlendi is compact, scenic, and framed by dramatic cliffs, a small bay that feels like a postcard that forgot to be crowded, at least outside peak season. It is also well known for diving and strong restaurant options for its size. Xlendi has a limited stock, often small-scale apartments and coastal homes, with pricing influenced by views and seasonality.
Good for: couples ✅ | sea-lovers ✅ | slower-living expats ✅
Nadur
Nadur sits elevated and residential, with a strong village identity and a long-term living feel. It is also one of the villages that provides a scenic route down to Ramla Bay, one of Gozo’s best-known beaches. In Nadur you can find more houses and larger layouts compared to the coastal hubs, good for people who want space without going fully rural.
Good for: families ✅ | long-term relocations ✅ | space seekers ✅
Xagħra
Xagħra balances village life with some of Gozo’s biggest “pin this location” landmarks. It is home to the Ġgantija Temples, a UNESCO-recognised prehistoric site on the Xagħra plateau, and it is also a practical base for reaching Ramla Bay. Xaghra has a strong supply of traditional townhouses and restored homes, often better value for space than equivalent character areas on mainland Malta.
Good for: families ✅ | culture-first expats ✅ | people who want Gozo to feel like Gozo ✅
Għarb
Għarb is where Gozo goes fully quiet and honestly, that is the point. It is known for its countryside character and proximity to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, one of Gozo’s most important religious and cultural landmarks. It is a classic farmhouse territory, including restored character homes, often with courtyards and outdoor space.
Good for: retirees ✅ | remote workers ✅ | tranquillity seekers ✅
Rent Reality
For an evidence-based view, the Gozo Regional Development Authority’s paper (using Housing Authority registered rentals) shows:
- In 2023 H2, just over half of long-let contracts in Gozo were below €700/month, 38% were €700–€999, and 9% were above €1,000.
- For 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, the median rent by locality ranged from €550 (Munxar) to €834 (Xagħra).
- Since 2020, rents in Gozo rose by around 5.9% per year, faster than Malta’s 3.4%, even though Gozo remains cheaper overall.
How to translate that into real-life planning: Gozo typically gives you more space for your money, but coastal pockets and high-demand villages can still price firmly, especially for renovated homes and anything with outdoor space.
Who Gozo Suits
Gozo suits expats who are intentionally choosing lifestyle.
It works best for:
- Remote workers who want focus and calm
- Families prioritising space and a steadier routine
- Retirees and lifestyle relocators
- Anyone who prefers “walk, swim, reset” over “rush, park, repeat”
Closing
Gozo is not an escape from Malta. It is Malta, with more breathing room.
If the earlier districts helped you choose where to live, Gozo helps you decide how you want your days to feel, and whether you are building a base or simply booking a background.
Gozo moves slower, but it makes the important parts of life feel bigger.
This concludes our six-week guide to the best places to live in Malta for expats. From next week, we’re moving into something new, so be sure to follow us across our social media channels to stay informed and not miss what’s coming next.
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