A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Valletta for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Bucharest or Valletta?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Valletta. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a less touristy, undiscovered, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta

Valletta is a cultural, waterfront, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Valletta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Valletta. Although Bucharest and Valletta are both popular with visitors, Valletta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Valletta is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Bucharest is known for its big city activities. Valletta is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also home to The Grand Masters Palace. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Valletta?

Valletta is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Valletta are among the most recognizable in the world. With its rich culture and compact old town, there are countless museums, sights, and monuments that are worth visiting. Some options include Saint John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace and Armory, the National Museum of Archaeology, Manoel Theater, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Valletta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Valletta is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Valletta, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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).

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Valletta.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

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 Bucharest or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a town with a few options for the beache. However, Bucharest is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Valletta. 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.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Bucharest or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is renowned for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Valletta is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is laid out with a uniform grid and the streets are lined with hundreds of historic buildings. At the heart of old town is Republic Street, which divides the area in half and is where you'll find a large concentration of restaurants.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Valletta?

Valletta is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Bucharest or Valletta Better for Families?

Valletta is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Valletta. 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.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Valletta is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valletta is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Bucharest or Valletta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bucharest. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

You'll find some public transit in Valletta, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.

Is Bucharest or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Valletta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bucharest and Valletta. In our opinion, Valletta has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Valletta than Bucharest. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Valletta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Valletta that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valletta than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Valletta.

One day in Bucharest or Valletta?

The city of Bucharest offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Bucharest or Valletta?

Bucharest is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bucharest, a weekend is sufficent for most. 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 Bucharest or Valletta?

Bucharest is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming 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 Bucharest or Valletta?

Bucharest is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Valletta, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Valletta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Valletta?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Valletta, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Valletta?

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

Should I visit Bucharest or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Valletta. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In the summer, Bucharest is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Valletta averages at about 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Valletta. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Bucharest is generally much colder than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Valletta. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. Bucharest is much colder than Valletta in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Valletta. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Valletta. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Bucharest is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Valletta averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Valletta. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Bucharest