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

Should you visit Chania or Valletta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Valletta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a idyllic, charming, and picturesque city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Valletta

Valletta is a cultural, waterfront, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chania and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Valletta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chania. Although Chania and Valletta are popular destinations, Chania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chania is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Valletta attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Chania is more touristy than Valletta and is popular for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Chania different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Valletta on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Chania. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

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

Foodies will find both Chania and Valletta both to be first-rate destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Many restaurants in Valletta have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Chania or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Chania has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

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 Chania or Valletta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Valletta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Valletta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Chania is terrific for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

Chania is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

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 Chania or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Valletta is revered around 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.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Is Chania or Valletta Better for Hiking?

Chania is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Valletta?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Valletta. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Valletta Better for Families?

Chania 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 Chania. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

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 Chania or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Valletta has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Chania is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Is Chania or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania and Valletta are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chania is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Valletta is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Chania or Valletta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

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 Chania or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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.

Chania is very walkable. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Chania?

How long in Chania or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chania and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chania than in Valletta. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

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

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

The city of Chania offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Chania or Valletta?

Chania is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Valletta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Chania or Valletta?

Chania 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Chania or Valletta?

Chania is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Valletta. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Valletta, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Valletta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valletta than you might in Chania.

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Valletta?

Chania has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania or Valletta?

Chania 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 Chania or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chania as well as Valletta. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chania this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Chania is around the same temperature as Valletta in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Valletta fluctuates around 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 Chania this time of the year. In the summer, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Valletta. Chania 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 Chania or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chania for the hiking trails, 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 the autumn, Chania is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Valletta averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. Chania usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Valletta. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chania or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Chania during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In January, Chania is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Chania often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Valletta. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Valletta. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Chania is around the same temperature as Valletta in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Valletta. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Chania