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

Should you visit Faro or Valletta?

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

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

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Valletta

Valletta is a waterfront, historic, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Valletta?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Faro different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valletta is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Faro or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Faro has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

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 Faro or Valletta Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Valletta is not a resort destination.

Faro is a world class resort vacation destination. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Valletta is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Valletta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town 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 Faro. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Valletta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Faro. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

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 Faro or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

The rich history of Valletta can be explored in its historical center. 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 people head to Faro to see the old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Valletta?

Valletta is great for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Faro offers some nice shopping areas. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Is Faro or Valletta Better for Families?

Valletta is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Valletta offers lots of family activities. 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.

Faro is not the most family-friendly destination. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Faro or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

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.

Faro makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Faro or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town 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.

Faro is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

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

Faro and Valletta both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Faro offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

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

Is Faro or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Valletta is a very easy town to get around 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.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Faro?

How long in Faro or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Faro and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than in Valletta. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

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

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Valletta?

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Valletta is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Faro or Valletta?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Valletta. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Valletta?

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

The historic town of Valletta offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Valletta?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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 Faro or Valletta?

Faro 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 Faro or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Valletta. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Valletta. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Valletta in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Valletta. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Faro is around the same temperature as Valletta in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Valletta. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Faro is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Valletta averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives less rain than Valletta. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Valletta in the Spring?

Both Valletta and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In April, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in April than Valletta. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Faro