1. Close to Beaches, Entertainment areas and Tourist attractions
One of the benefits of a property located here, is that your tenants will never be bored, as they are in the middle of the action and will also have access to good public transport. Should you have a perfect holiday rental property and manage it well, people will return again and again given they have enjoyed their stay. Word-of-mouth will see that you are never short of bookings.
Popular areas for tourist-based property rentals are Bugibba, Marsascala, St. Paul’s Bay, Mellieha and certainly anywhere in the greater Sliema area, St. Julian’s and certainly the World-Heritage Site that is the Maltese capital, Valletta.
You will need to manage your property proactively.
2. Close to Business Centres and Office Hubs
This might be cheaper than buying a property in a tourist hotspot but owning a rental property or renting out a room in Malta near a business centre or office hub takes proper planning before you buy. Depending on the location, you may be lucky enough to sign up a dream long-term tenant unless you are in the market for short-term rentals only. Many foreign workers come to Malta on year-based or longer contracts.
As these properties are geared towards professionals and not tourists, you will have to plan for it to feel like a lux hotel. A great sleeping space, properly fitted kitchen and bathroom facilities, ventilation and air-conditioning. Most important you will also have to see that it has excellent internet connectivity as many people in the IT industry work after hours or from home. Another thing to look at is secure access and parking if you want to charge premium prices. Also make sure the location has easy access to major arteries and that it is not too far from the airport.
Invest wisely and plan properly when buying: make sure the location is prime, the size is comfortable and that it will appeal to business professionals. If you do this, you will be on the right track.
Mriehel is a popular business hub close to the airport. Ideally find a property in a perfect mid-way location that fulfil both criteria (suburban and business). This way you will minimise your chances of potential loss during turbulent financial cycles. Areas to consider in this case, should you have more financial means, are Sliema, St. Julian’s, The Strand, Gzira and Ta’Xbiex.
3. Ideal areas for property investment in Malta and their characteristics
Sliema and St Julian’s
Probably the priciest of Malta’s suburbs but with enormous appeal to locals and foreigners alike. Everyone wants to live here or make it the centre of their holiday stay and is most definitely the area for property investment. A very desirable region which offers a choice of townhouses, apartments, penthouses, palazzos, maisonettes and more to buyers….the choice is endless.
Characteristics of the area:
Central. Cosmopolitan. Near beaches. On major public transport routes. Large selection of restaurants, boutiques, shops, cafes, eateries and department stores. Bars, restaurants and nightlife.
Swieqi,San Gwann,Gzira
These areas are adjacent to Sliema and St. Julian’s. Prices here are more affordable also with varied property types.
Gzira also offers a myriad of bars and restaurants and is on major transport routes. It is a very popular area with students. Valletta is a short drive away.
San Gwann is adjacent to Sliema and popular with families and urbanites, but also very close to all the action.
Swieqi is to the north of St Julian’s and a short walk away from all the action and beach. Swieqi is widely regarded as upper class and popular property types found here are villas, terraced houses, apartments and maisonettes.
Characteristics of the area:
Central and close to beaches, yet more suburban. The areas are family-friendly and Gzira especially offers opportunities for those who want to rent a property to students.
Santa Venera, Qormi and Hamrun
All of these areas are inland in the centre of Malta and away from the tourist trails. Very affordable when it comes to property prices and property types come in all shapes and sizes.
Santa Venera is especially popular as it is close to Mriehel with its business hub, so the area has seen a fair increase in the demand for properties to let out to professionals working nearby.
Characteristics of the area:
Very affordable and a wide selection of property types. Home to locals and geared for families, although there are small affordable hotels and BnB’s to be found in the area.
Marsascala and Marsaxlokk
Both villages are located in the southern part of Malta and are known for their bars, waterside restaurants, promenades and are very popular with both locals and tourists.
Marsaxlokk especially has a famous market frequented by thousands of people and is well-known for its seafood restaurants and colourful, traditional fishing boats in the harbour and a favourite with foreign tourists. The towns offer value for money when it comes to property and rentals are big business.
Characteristics of the area:
Very affordable, everything a tourist or holidaymaker could want is within walking distance. Picturesque, within easy reach of the airport. A wide range of property types are on offer with good returns.
Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Buggiba
Mellieha has Malta’s most famous sandy beach and is packed in the summer with thousands of sunseekers.
St. Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Bugibba is popular with UK expats and tourists, with its casinos, clubs, bars and restaurants. This is the goto place for funseekers on the north coast.
Characteristics of the area:
Very affordable, lots of expats and a wide variety of property types. Price ranges are from low to expensive depending on where and what you buy. The advantage is that all the villages have easy access to the major highway that connects the whole of Malta, north to south and all all on major public transport routes. Mellieha is also a stone’s throw from Cirkewwa and the ferries to Gozo.
The Three Cities
If it’s history you are after, the 3 cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua are the places to stay and it has become immensely popular in the last few years among tourists. Scenic, at the water’s edge of the Grand Harbour, here you will find cafes, bars and restaurants, churches and forts, superyachts and museums. It is the perfect place to invest in buying a short-term rental not only of its own variety on offer, but also because it is a short distance away from Valletta on the opposite side of the Grand Harbour.
Characteristics of the area:
Although bargains could be found a few years ago, these areas have gone up in price. Major upgrades of the entire 3 cities have seen an upswing in its popularity, property prices and desirability as an address. Many foreign buyers have bought here.
