Should I Visit Dakar or Valletta for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Dakar or Valletta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar 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.

Where Should I go: Dakar or Valletta?

Dakar

Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.

Valletta

A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.

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

Which place is cheaper, Valletta or Dakar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

Dakar Prices
Senegal Prices

Valletta Prices
Malta Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Dakar $61

Valletta $124

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Valletta is $124. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dakar and Valletta in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Dakar $32

Valletta $70
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Dakar $64

Valletta $140

Compare Hotels in Dakar and Valletta

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Valletta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Valletta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Dakar $5.37

Valletta $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta

Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Malta Airport Private Transfers: $66
Afternoon Harbours Cruise with Guide and Roundtrip Transfers: $39
Airport Transfers (Private Group up to 15 people): $103
Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $81
Arrival Transfer: Malta Airport MLA to Malta Island by Van: $49
Departure Transfer: Malta Island to Malta Airport MLA by Van: $47
From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $88
From Private Malta Highlights Tour with Transfer: $151
Malta Airport (MLA) Departure Transfer (Saint Julian's Hotels to Malta Airport): $49
Malta Airport Transfers : $38
Malta Intl Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $28
Malta Private Airport Transfer - Arrival: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Valletta?

Prices for flights to both Valletta and Dakar change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

Food

Food Meals for one day

Dakar $20

Valletta $35

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:

Breakfast

$4.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.

Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta

For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
Valletta Food Tour: $49
Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $77
The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $81
Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $81
Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $87
Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $101
From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
Private Valletta Food Tour: $175

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Dakar $14

Valletta $29

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
2-day tour Lac rose- desert of Lompoul: $290
Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
Private City Tour: $109
Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109

Tours and Activities in Valletta

For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
Reliving The Sacra Infermeria Augmented Reality Tour: $6.55
30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
Valletta Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket: $7.10
City Nobles App Tour + Malta5D Entry (optional): $7.53
Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour (Audio Guide): $7.53
City Nobles App Tour + Optional Malta 5D Show Ticket: $7.64
Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.07
Self-Guided Audio Tour, Map and Directions: $8.61
Entry Ticket for The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens : $9.85

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Dakar $9.00

Valletta $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:

Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
Malta Pub Crawl: $22
The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Valletta, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dakar is in Africa 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 Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar 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 Dakar.

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

Which is Bigger, Dakar or Valletta?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Dakar 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 Dakar or Valletta?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Dakar or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Valletta. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Dakar usually gets more rain in July than Valletta. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

In July, Dakar is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Summer Average Temperatures July

Dakar 28°C (82°F)

Valletta 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Valletta. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Valletta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dakar is a little warmer than Valletta in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Autumn Average Temperatures October

Dakar 28°C (82°F)

Valletta 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Dakar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Valletta. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the winter, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Valletta. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Dakar is much warmer than Valletta. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dakar in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Valletta averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Winter Average Temperatures January

Dakar 22°C (72°F)

Valletta 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Valletta. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Valletta. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Valletta during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dakar is generally a little warmer than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 21°C (70°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Spring Average Temperatures April

Dakar 21°C (70°F)

Valletta 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Valletta and Dakar

	Dakar		Valletta
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	22°C (72°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	13°C (55°F)	90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb	21°C (70°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	13°C (55°F)	60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar	22°C (72°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	14°C (57°F)	40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr	21°C (70°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	16°C (61°F)	30 mm (1.2 in)
May	23°C (73°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	19°C (66°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun	26°C (79°F)	20 mm (0.8 in)	23°C (73°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul	28°C (82°F)	50 mm (2 in)	26°C (79°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug	28°C (82°F)	150 mm (5.9 in)	27°C (81°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep	28°C (82°F)	150 mm (5.9 in)	24°C (75°F)	30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct	28°C (82°F)	20 mm (0.8 in)	21°C (70°F)	80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov	26°C (79°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	17°C (63°F)	90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec	24°C (75°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	14°C (57°F)	110 mm (4.3 in)

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dakar vs. Valletta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons