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

Should you visit Cagliari or Valletta?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cagliari and Valletta can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cagliari

Cagliari is a relaxed, historic, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Valletta

Valletta is a charming, cultural, and waterfront town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Cagliari and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cagliari or Valletta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cagliari. Although Cagliari and Valletta are both popular with visitors, Cagliari has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cagliari is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Valletta is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Cagliari is popular for its medieval quarter, beautiful hilltop setting, and impressive beaches. It is also home to Castello. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Cagliari different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Valletta are world-renowned. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cagliari can be an interesting and educational experience. The Castello district is filled with ancient buildings including Bastione San Remy and the Duomo. Also make sure you check out the Archeology Museum.

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Dining out in Cagliari is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine mixes the island's sea and mountain settings. You'll find many local pastas, breads, seafood dishes, and cheeses. There's a wealth of diversity in the food and you should definitely step away from the more traditional Italian flavors and try something uniquely Sardinian.

Is Cagliari or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

Cagliari is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Cagliari has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a thriving nightlife scene that is mostly centered around tourists. You'll find a number of the best bars in the Castello district and the atmosphere is usually relaxed and laid back, like the town itself.

Valletta has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Cagliari or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Cagliari is a very popular place for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

The beaches at Cagliari attract visitors from all over. While you'll find some nice beaches in town, if you're willing to head to the surrounding areas just outside of town, you'll be rewarded with amazing beaches. The beaches are enjoyable any time of the year.

Valletta is a good spot to see the beach. 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 Cagliari or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its old town. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

Valletta offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Many visitors go to Cagliari to see the historical old town. The Castello district is the city's old town. It's filled with narrow alleys, historic castles, and a truly unique atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Cagliari or Valletta?

Valletta is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Valletta is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Cagliari to go shopping. Head to the Marina district for some of the city's best shopping opportunities. There are a number of shopping malls to choose from. For souvenirs and other handicrafts, the port area has a few shops.

Is Cagliari or Valletta Better for Families?

Cagliari is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cagliari. There are a number of activities for kids to enjoy in the areas surrounding the city. If you're willing to get about an hour out of town, you can check out the Water Park of Pula. In town, there's a little train that young kids will enjoy. And, of course, there are the beaches!

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.

Is Cagliari or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Couples visit Cagliari frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The waterfront setting and nice beaches make this a great place for couples. There's also the Castello district, which is fun to wander through, and many parks and outdoor walking areas.

Is Cagliari or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cagliari. There's a hostel or two in the area that offer accommodation that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Cagliari or Valletta Better for Students?

Cagliari is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Cagliari. There are some study abroad opportunities in town, and with the nearby beaches and wonderful weather, many international students enjoy their time here.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Cagliari and Valletta.

Cagliari has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around town relatively efficiently.

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 Cagliari or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Valletta. 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.

Cagliari is a very walkable destination. While the city is very walkable, it is built on a large hill so come prepared for some steep climbs.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Cagliari?

How long in Cagliari or Valletta?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Cagliari. 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 Cagliari 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 Cagliari or Valletta?

The city of Cagliari offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The beautiful town of Valletta offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Cagliari or Valletta?

Cagliari 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cagliari, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Valletta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Valletta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cagliari or Valletta?

Cagliari 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.

Valletta 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.

A week in Cagliari or Valletta?

Cagliari is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

When comparing the travel costs between Cagliari and Valletta, we can see that Cagliari 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 Cagliari Expensive? and Is Valletta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cagliari or Valletta?

Cagliari has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Cagliari 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 Cagliari or Valletta?

Cagliari 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 Cagliari or Valletta in the Summer?

Both Valletta and Cagliari are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cagliari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Cagliari is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cagliari in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Valletta averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cagliari. Cagliari usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during summer. Cagliari gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cagliari usually receives less rain than Valletta. Cagliari gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cagliari or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Cagliari during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cagliari in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In October, Cagliari is generally cooler than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Cagliari average around 18°C (65°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cagliari often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Cagliari gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.

Cagliari usually gets less rain in October than Valletta. Cagliari gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cagliari or Valletta in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cagliari and Valletta. Most visitors come to Cagliari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cagliari is cooler than Valletta in the winter. The daily temperature in Cagliari averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Cagliari usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during winter. Cagliari gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cagliari usually receives less rain than Valletta. Cagliari gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cagliari or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cagliari as well as Valletta. The spring months attract visitors to Cagliari because of the beaches and the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In the spring, Cagliari is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cagliari in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Valletta averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cagliari this time of the year. In the spring, Cagliari often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Cagliari gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.

Cagliari usually gets more rain in April than Valletta. Cagliari gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Cagliari