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

Should you visit Cordoba or Valletta?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cordoba and Valletta can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a beautiful, colorful, and flower-filled town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta

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

Cordoba and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cordoba or Valletta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cordoba. Although Cordoba and Valletta are popular destinations, Cordoba has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cordoba is very popular for its nightlife, while Valletta attracts visitors for its food, beaches, and shopping. Cordoba is more touristy than Valletta and is popular for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. It is also well known for La Mezquita. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Cordoba different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cordoba or Valletta.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cordoba on the map. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

Travelers visit Valletta from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cordoba. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

Is Cordoba or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Cordoba has a large number of nightlife venues. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

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 Cordoba or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for the beach. However, Cordoba is not a beach destination.

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.

Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Is Cordoba or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Both Cordoba and Valletta have world-class historic old towns worth visiting.

The rich history of Cordoba can be explored in its historical center. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cordoba or Valletta?

Valletta is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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 Cordoba. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Is Cordoba or Valletta Better for Families?

Both Cordoba and Valletta are nice to visit with kids.

Cordoba is a family-friendly place to visit. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

Valletta is a family-friendly town. 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 Cordoba or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Valletta is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Cordoba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

Is Cordoba or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Cordoba and Valletta are great destinations for backpackers.

Cordoba is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

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 Cordoba or Valletta Better for Students?

Cordoba is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Cordoba is a very popular town for students. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Both Cordoba and Valletta offer nice public transit options.

Cordoba has a few public transit options. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

Valletta has some public transit options. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.

Is Cordoba or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Valletta on foot. 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.

Cordoba is very walkable. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Cordoba?

How long in Cordoba or Valletta?

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

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Cordoba. 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 Cordoba. 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 Cordoba 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 Cordoba or Valletta?

The beautiful town of Cordoba 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.

In Valletta, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cordoba or Valletta?

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

In Valletta, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Valletta has to offer.

Five days in Cordoba or Valletta?

Cordoba is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cordoba or Valletta?

Cordoba is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Valletta. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

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

Which is Bigger, Cordoba or Valletta?

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

Cordoba 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 Cordoba or Valletta in the Summer?

Both Valletta and Cordoba during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cordoba because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

Cordoba is around the same temperature as Valletta in the summer. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cordoba. In the summer, Cordoba often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta. Cordoba gets 358 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

Cordoba usually gets less rain in July than Valletta. Cordoba gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cordoba or Valletta in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cordoba and Valletta. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cordoba this time of year. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Cordoba is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cordoba in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Valletta averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Cordoba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cordoba usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Cordoba gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cordoba usually receives less rain than Valletta. Cordoba gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cordoba or Valletta in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cordoba as well as Valletta. Many travelers come to Cordoba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In January, Cordoba is generally cooler than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Cordoba average around 10°C (50°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Cordoba often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta. Cordoba gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

Cordoba usually gets less rain in January than Valletta. Cordoba gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cordoba or Valletta in the Spring?

Both Valletta and Cordoba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cordoba in the spring for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cordoba is around the same temperature as Valletta in the spring. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cordoba. Cordoba usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during spring. Cordoba gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cordoba usually receives more rain than Valletta. Cordoba gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Cordoba