Attard Area Guide
Discover Attard
Presidential Gardens & Gracious Living Heart
Attard is one of Malta's most prestigious inland addresses, forming, with Balzan and Lija, the area known as the Three Villages. Celebrated for its gardens, tree-lined avenues and gracious homes, it has been associated with refined living for centuries — a reputation embodied by San Anton Palace, the President's official residence, and its public gardens.
Attard developed around villas, citrus groves and gardens, and that legacy survives in its generous plots, mature trees and fine residential architecture, combined with a central location close to Mdina, the main road network and Mater Dei Hospital. Villa Bologna, the Wignacourt Aqueduct and Ta' Qali National Park all lie within or beside the village.
Living in Attard appeals to established families, professionals and international buyers seeking space, greenery and an unhurried village rhythm, all within twenty minutes of almost anywhere on the island.
Location & Connectivity
Attard occupies the geographic centre of Malta, making it one of the island's most convenient bases.
Approximate drive times:
• Mdina and Rabat: 5–10 minutes
• Mater Dei Hospital: 10 minutes
• Sliema and St Julian's: 15–20 minutes
• Valletta: 20 minutes
• Golden Bay (nearest sandy beach): 20 minutes
• Malta International Airport: 15–20 minutes
Attard's central position places the entire island within easy reach, and Malta International Airport, with direct flights to more than 100 European destinations, is under twenty minutes away.
Public transport serves the village well, with routes connecting to Valletta, the university and the coastal towns. Most residents use a car for daily life, and the established streets generally offer easier parking than Malta's coastal centres, with many homes including garages. The busy arterial roads bordering the village are best considered when choosing a street.
What Is It Really Like to Live in Attard?
Life in Attard is green, gracious and unhurried. San Anton Gardens, open to the public since the nineteenth century, function as the village's living room: a place for morning walks, children and shade under some of the oldest trees in Malta.
The Three Villages share a distinct residential culture, quieter and leafier than the coast, with a strong sense of establishment and safety. Attard's streets reward walking, lined with villas of character, elegant townhouses and gardens glimpsed through gateways. For families it offers space and excellent nearby schooling, including San Anton School; for professionals, a central base within a short drive of Mater Dei, the university and the business districts.
The main consideration is that Attard is a residential village rather than an entertainment destination: restaurants and nightlife are concentrated elsewhere, and larger shopping involves a short trip to neighbouring towns. Within its residential core, calm prevails year-round.
Who Does Attard Suit Best?
Attard is particularly well suited to:
• Established families seeking space and gardens
• Professionals wanting a central, well-connected base
• International buyers seeking villas and houses of character
• Residents who value greenery and village elegance
• Long-term owner-occupiers
It is generally less suitable for those seeking seafront living, nightlife or a compact walk-to-work urban lifestyle.
Property Market Overview
Renting or Buying Property in Attard
Buying Property in Attard
Attard's property market is a highly sought after portfolion in the Maltese inland regions defined by quality, maturity and long-term ownership.
Property types commonly found in the area include:
• Villas with gardens and pools
• Houses of character
• Elegant townhouses
• Semi-detached and terraced houses
• Modern apartments and penthouses
• Bungalows on established plots
The market is led by its villas and houses of character, many on generous plots with mature gardens, a rarity in Malta; the streets around San Anton contain some of the island's most desirable inland homes. Modern apartment developments have broadened the entry point, attracting younger buyers and downsizers who want the Attard address with contemporary convenience.
Attard is not a Special Designated Area. Non-EU nationals should seek professional advice regarding Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) requirements before purchasing.
The village's enduring prestige and the scarcity of its character homes have supported consistently strong long-term values.
Renting Property in Attard
The rental market in Attard is steady rather than large, popular with relocating families, medical professionals working at Mater Dei and executives seeking a quieter alternative to the coast.
Typical rental properties include:
• Family villas
• Townhouses and houses of character
• Modern apartments
• Maisonettes
Quality family homes attract strong interest when they reach the market, particularly ahead of the school year. Prospective tenants should register their interest with local agents early.
While quintessentially Maltese in character, Attard and the Three Villages have a well-established international community, including British, Italian, German and Scandinavian families drawn by the schools, greenery and central location.
Several respected schools are located nearby, including:
• San Anton School (L-Imselliet, on the village's doorstep)
• St Catherine's High School (Pembroke)
• QSI International School of Malta (Mosta)
• Chiswick House School & St Martin's College (Kappara and Swatar)
Most are within approximately 5–20 minutes by car.
Residents benefit from convenient access to:
• Mater Dei Hospital – approximately 10 – 15 minutes away
• St James Hospital – approximately 15 – 30 mins away
• Local pharmacies and clinics within the village
Attard supports local bakeries, grocers, cafés and everyday services, while larger supermarkets and retail centres are minutes away in Birkirkara, Mosta and the surrounding towns. On the village's edge, Ta' Qali offers the national park, the crafts village, the Malta Aviation Museum, a popular Sunday farmers' market and the island's principal open-air concert grounds, while Villa Bologna's gardens and pottery are open to visitors.
Is Attard a good place to live in Malta?
Attard is widely regarded as one of Malta's finest residential villages, combining greenery, elegant homes and a central location within easy reach of the whole island.
Who typically lives in Attard?
What types of property are found in Attard?
Can non-EU buyers purchase property in Attard?
Is Attard a good area for long-term rental demand?
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