A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Valletta for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Albufeira or Valletta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Albufeira or Valletta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Albufeira

Albufeira is a activity-filled, high energy, and party hard resort town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Valletta

Valletta is a cultural, waterfront, and historic town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Albufeira and Valletta: Pros and Cons

How is Albufeira different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Valletta and Albufeira. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Food?

Foodies will find both Albufeira and Valletta both to be unique destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Albufeira. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, the city also has the widest selection of restaurants. There are traditional options that serve up classic dishes like grilled sardines, as well as international restaurants with traveler favorites. As expected, you'll find a lot of seafood, but you'll also find inland influences from local farms in the area.

Valletta has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The town's culinary scene has a long history with many traditional flavors. You really must experience a meal in one of the traditional stone cellar restaurants, which often serve local meze. Head to Republic Street for a stretch of longstanding restaurants in town. Local dishes include stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), bragioli (rolled meat covered in sauce), and lampuki pie (fish pie).

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

With more options to choose from, you'll find a more vibrant nightlife in Albufeira.

People head to Albufeira just to party. It's probably the most infamous party destination in the Algarve and it won't disappoint. During the peak summer months you'll find the streets around the popular "Strip" filled with tourists and party-goers. There are hen and stag parties, backpackers, and drunken travelers out for a good time. The Strip has become so popular that there are now bars and clubs on the adjacent streets as well. If you're not staying in the area, you'll likely want to take a taxi, as it's a couple kilometers outside of the town center.

If you're looking for night time activities Valletta has a few options to choose from. It wasn't long ago that the town went quiet in the evenings, but recent years have brought a surge in bars and clubs around town. You'll find the liveliest nightlife in areas around Strait Street and the Valletta Waterfront. If you're looking for a true clubbing scene, you'll want to head north out of town to Paceville.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Most people pick Albufeira for its beaches over Valletta.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Albufeira. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers. For water sports, head to Praia dos Alemaes but for relaxation and catching some rays check out Praia da Falesia. You'll find some interesting rock formations at Praia dos Olhos de Agua. One of the most convenient beaches to town is Praia dos Pescadores. For nightlife you'll want to head to Praia da Oura.

The beach in Valletta is worth checking out. There aren't any beaches in town, but if you head north to St. George’s Bay you'll find some nice beaches with a variety of resorts to choose from.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Shopping?

Valletta often provides a better shopping experience than Albufeira.

Valletta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping head to Republic Street and Merchants Street where you'll find craft shops, boutiques, and other local souvenirs. Many visitors enjoy picking up blown glass, a locally made miniature, or cactus liquor. Lace is also a common local item that you'll find around town.

Shopping in Albufeira can be found for those interested. You'll find most of the shops are geared toward souvenirs or beach items, particularly near the beach and marina. If you look hard you might find some nice ceramics or items made of cork.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Albufeira or Valletta.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Albufeira. Despite it's reputation as a party-hard city, there are actually a lot of family-friendly activities in the area. Because it's the largest resort town in the Algarve, it also has the most activities to choose from, including theme parks, water parks, dolphin watching, ropes courses, go karting, and more. The best area's for families are in the old town or the most of the family-friendly resorts outside of town. Families should avoid staying near "the Strip."

Valletta offers lots of family activities. This charming town has nearby beaches as well as a few museums that kids will enjoy, including a toy museum. There are also several multi-media shows that educate visitors on the area's history. Make sure you check out Malta 5D and the Malta Experience.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Albufeira and Valletta make for a good place to visit.

Albufeira makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. For an active honeymoon or couple's retreat, this resort town has it all. Beautiful beaches, adventure-filled activities, a wild nightlife scene, and excellent resorts and restaurants all make for a memorable couple's getaway.

For those traveling as a couple, Valletta has plenty to offer. The town offers beautiful walks, luxury spa experiences, and evening sunset cruises that are seeped in romance. During the evening you can enjoy a cocktail hour and then dine in one of the town's many unique restaurants.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira and Valletta are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Albufeira. If you're looking for a party, then you found it. The area is a top pick for European holidays, so you'll find plenty of energy and activities around town. There are also golden beaches and a decent selection of hostels to choose from.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Valletta. The island has grown in popularity with backpackers, particularly those coming from Europe, as there are affordable flights and easy accessibility. You'll also find some nice hostels around town where you can stay on a budget.

Is Albufeira or Valletta Better for Public Transit?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Albufeira and Valletta.

Public transit is generally limited in Albufeira. There are regional buses and even trains, but do take note that many of the train and bus stations are a good distance outside of town.

While Valletta offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.

Is Albufeira or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is considered more walkable than Albufeira.

Getting around Valletta on foot is easy. The town is compact and easy to walk around with many sights within a short distance of each other. There's also very little street traffic.

Albufeira is generally not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to hire a car, but if your hotel is near the beach and you're ok with walking to restaurants, then you may be able to get away without one. If you hope to travel into the countryside at all then a car is necessary.

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Albufeira and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than Valletta.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Albufeira is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Valletta is 1-3 days.

One day in Albufeira or Valletta?

The beautiful resort town of Albufeira offers nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Valletta has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or Valletta?

Albufeira is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Valletta?

Albufeira is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Albufeira, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the waterfront town of Valletta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Albufeira or Valletta?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Albufeira has to offer. This resort town offers something for everyone.

Valletta is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When is the best time to visit Albufeira or Valletta?

Albufeira has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Valletta experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Valletta. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July are around 25°C (78°F), and Valletta is about 26°C (79°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than Valletta. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

In October, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Valletta stays around 21°C (70°F).

In October, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Valletta. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Albufeira or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Albufeira during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the cuisine. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Albufeira is cooler than Valletta in the winter. The temperature in Albufeira is usually 11°C (52°F) in January, and Valletta stays around 13°C (55°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in January than Valletta. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Valletta. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April are around 15°C (60°F), and Valletta is about 16°C (61°F).

In April, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Valletta. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Albufeira