Safi
Safi is a quiet, tranquil village in southern Malta, often compared to a Gozitan village in character for its calm, laid-back lifestyle. With a population of approximately 2,200 residents, the village is surrounded by four other major villages and retains a distinctly rural and unhurried pace of life.
History
The village as known today dates back to the Punic-Roman period, having been inhabited by Neolithic peoples, followed by the Phoenicians and the Romans. The village name dates back to 1417, and the period’s occupations were rooted in agriculture. Safi’s cultural heritage remains deeply rooted in its agricultural past, which continues to influence the local lifestyle and traditions to this day.
Among its notable landmarks are Villino Vella, The Palace, Gollcher Palace, the Dejma Cross, several churches, the Xarolla Catacombs dating back to approximately the 3rd to 4th century AD, the Ta’ Ġawhar Tower, the Tal-Liebru Caves, and a number of Second World War shelters.
Where Safi Sits on the Island
Safi falls within the Western Region of Malta, in the South Eastern District. Because of its position beside the airport, most people describe it simply as part of the South. It is one of Malta’s smallest villages, home to just over 3,300 residents across a footprint of just 2.3 square kilometres, and its motto, Sine Macula, translates as “without blemish” or “without stain.”
Safi borders Kirkop, Luqa, Mqabba and Żurrieq. As a result, you can reach Malta International Airport, Żurrieq and the rest of the south within minutes.
Safi sits in the south of Malta, right beside the runway of Malta International Airport, and it remains one of the smallest and quietest villages anywhere on the island. Despite its modest size, Safi carries a genuinely deep history, first recorded by name as far back as 1417. So whether you want real village tranquillity or unbeatable proximity to the airport, Safi deserves a serious look. Your next chapter starts here.
Schools in the Area
Safi itself stays small and residential, with no major school directly in the village. Because it borders Kirkop, Luqa and Żurrieq, families have easy access to a wider range of church, state and independent schools just a short drive away.
Lifestyle in Safi
Safi offers a lifestyle built on genuine quiet and a strong, close-knit community, despite sitting closer to the airport than almost any other village on the island. Its name has several possible origins, with local tradition suggesting it may come from the Maltese word for “pure,” a reference to the area’s clean air, from a family surname common among Malta’s “Ħal” villages, or even from a belief that the village was spared from a historic epidemic that affected much of the island.
Safi’s history runs deep for such a small place. The Ta’ Ġawhar Tower, a Punic-Roman structure dating back to the third century BC, stands as one of the village’s most significant archaeological sites, while the Baroque parish church, dedicated to the Conversion of St Paul and built between 1727 and 1744, anchors the village’s spiritual life. Sir Alexander Ball’s Garden offers a peaceful green space within the village, a quiet retreat despite the proximity of the runway nearby.
Because of its quiet, its history and its genuinely unmatched airport access, Safi suits buyers who want a true village setting paired with real practicality for frequent travel. Property here tends towards traditional village townhouses, reflecting its centuries-old agricultural roots.
Feast Celebrations
Safi’s patron feast honours St Paul, specifically the Conversion of St Paul, and it takes place on the last Sunday of August, with the day following the feast considered a holiday by village residents. The tradition stretches back centuries, with a small feast in honour of St Paul already being celebrated in the village church as early as 1575, and a dedicated feast club, St Paul’s Club, established in 1929 to help organise the growing celebrations.
Restaurants and Dining
Safi’s dining scene reflects its small, residential character, with a handful of local cafes and eateries serving the village day to day. For a wider choice, residents typically head into neighbouring Żurrieq or Luqa, both just a short drive away, for a fuller range of restaurants and evening dining options.
Grocery Shops and Everyday Amenities
Safi covers everyday basics through a small selection of local shops within the village. For a fuller weekly shop, residents typically head into nearby Żurrieq or Luqa, both offering a wider range of supermarkets and services just a short drive away.
Transport Links
Safi connects to the rest of the island by bus, with routes serving the village on their way between Valletta and the southern towns of Żurrieq, Qrendi and Luqa. Thanks to its position right beside Malta International Airport, Safi also benefits from genuinely excellent access for regular travellers. For drivers, the village’s position keeps journeys to the airport, Luqa and the rest of the south comfortably short.
Special Designated Areas (SDA)
Safi does not currently have a Special Designated Area. So if you are a non-EU buyer who specifically needs SDA status, which removes the standard property permit requirement, you may want to look at areas such as Portomaso or Tigné Point instead. That said, Safi remains fully open to EU buyers, and non-EU buyers can also purchase here through the standard Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit process. Either way, its quiet character and airport proximity keep steady, long-term interest alive.
Feast Celebrations
Safi’s patron feast honours St Paul, specifically the Conversion of St Paul, and it takes place on the last Sunday of August, with the day following the feast considered a holiday by village residents. The tradition stretches back centuries, with a small feast in honour of St Paul already being celebrated in the village church as early as 1575, and a dedicated feast club, St Paul’s Club, established in 1929 to help organise the growing celebrations.
Nearby Beaches
Safi sits inland, so it has no coastline of its own. Even so, the coast stays within easy reach. Birżebbuġa’s sandy Pretty Bay and the natural pool of St Peter’s Pool near Marsaxlokk are both reachable within a short drive, while the Blue Grotto near Qrendi adds a further scenic option nearby. So a day by the sea fits easily into life in Safi, without ever feeling far off.
Nightlife
Safi has no nightlife scene of its own, staying true to its identity as one of Malta’s smallest and quietest villages. There are no bars or evening venues within the village itself, and residents looking for a night out typically travel further afield, to Paceville in St Julian’s for Malta’s main clubbing scene, to Sliema for a calmer evening of seafront bars, or to Gianpula Village near Rabat for the island’s biggest open-air summer parties. All are a reasonably short drive away, leaving Safi itself to the quiet, residential character its small size and proximity to the airport runway were always built around.
Why Choose Safi
Safi offers something genuinely practical on the island: real village history and quiet, paired with the most convenient airport access anywhere in Malta. Because of this, it continues to attract buyers who prioritise practicality without giving up genuine character. Whether you are drawn to its ancient tower, its churches, or simply its closeness to the airport, Safi offers a genuinely distinctive home in the south of Malta.
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