A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lagos vs. Valletta for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Lagos or Valletta?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Valletta. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lagos

Lagos is a dramatic, vibrant, and beautiful resort town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Valletta

Valletta is a cultural, waterfront, and historic town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lagos and Valletta: Pros and Cons

How is Lagos different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Lagos and Valletta offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lagos makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

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).

Is Lagos or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Lagos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

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 Lagos or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Lagos provides a better beach experience than Valletta.

Lagos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

You can check out the beach in Valletta. 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 the Shopping Better in Lagos or Valletta?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Valletta and Lagos.

Lagos is a great destination for shopping. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Valletta is well-known for its shopping. 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 Lagos or Valletta Better for Families?

Families may find more to do in Lagos than Valletta.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lagos is very family-friendly. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

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.

Is Lagos or Valletta Better for Couples?

Lagos and Valletta both fun destinations for a couple.

Lagos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

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.

Is Lagos or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos and Valletta are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lagos is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

Many 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 Lagos 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 Lagos and Valletta.

Public transit is generally limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

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 Lagos or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is generally more walkable than Lagos.

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.

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lagos and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lagos than Valletta.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Lagos is 3-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Valletta is 1-3 days.

One day in Lagos or Valletta?

The beautiful resort town of Lagos offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lagos or Valletta?

Lagos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lagos or Valletta?

Lagos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lagos, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lagos or Valletta?

Lagos is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 resort town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping 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. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

When is the best time to visit Lagos or Valletta?

Lagos has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Valletta experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Valletta. Most visitors come to Lagos for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

In July, Lagos is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Temperatures in Lagos average around 25°C (77°F), and Valletta stays around 26°C (79°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Valletta. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Lagos because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Lagos is a little warmer than Valletta in the autumn. The temperature in Lagos is usually 26°C (79°F) in October, and Valletta stays around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Valletta. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lagos or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Lagos during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Lagos this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Lagos is much warmer than Valletta. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lagos in January are around 27°C (81°F), and Valletta is about 13°C (55°F).

Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Valletta. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Valletta. Many travelers come to Lagos for the beaches and the natural beauty. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

In April, Lagos is generally much warmer than Valletta. Temperatures in Lagos average around 28°C (82°F), and Valletta stays around 16°C (61°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Valletta. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Lagos