A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Christchurch vs. Valletta for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Christchurch or Valletta?

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

Should I visit Christchurch 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.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a adventure-filled, cultural, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Christchurch and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Valletta?

Both Valletta and Christchurch have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Christchurch is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Valletta is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Christchurch is popular for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Christchurch different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Christchurch 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.

Many visitors head to Christchurch specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

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

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

For foodies, Valletta is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Christchurch has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Is Christchurch or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Christchurch has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

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 Christchurch or Valletta Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Christchurch attract visitors from all over. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

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 Christchurch or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is terrific for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Valletta has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Valletta Better for Hiking?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Valletta?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Valletta and Christchurch.

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Christchurch or Valletta Better for Families?

Christchurch is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

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 Christchurch or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Valletta makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Christchurch is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Christchurch or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch and Valletta are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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 Christchurch or Valletta Better for Students?

Christchurch is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Christchurch. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Valletta is not popular with students.

Is Christchurch 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 Christchurch and Valletta.

You'll find some public transit in Christchurch, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around 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 Christchurch or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Christchurch 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.

Christchurch is a very walkable destination. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Christchurch and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Christchurch than in Valletta. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

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

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Christchurch. 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.

One day in Christchurch or Valletta?

The city of Christchurch offers food and shopping. 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.

In Valletta, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural town offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Christchurch or Valletta?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Valletta?

Christchurch 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or Valletta?

Christchurch 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.

Valletta is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, 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 Christchurch and Valletta, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Valletta is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Valletta?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Valletta?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Valletta. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In the summer, Christchurch is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Christchurch in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Valletta averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the summer, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Vallettain July. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets more rain in January than Vallettain July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Christchurch is generally much colder than Vallettain October. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Vallettain October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Christchurch or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Christchurch during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

Christchurch is much colder than Valletta in the winter. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 6°C (43°F) in July, and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in January.

In the winter, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Vallettain January. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in July than Vallettain January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Valletta. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during spring. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Christchurch usually receives more rain than Vallettain April. Christchurch gets 45 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 Christchurch