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

Should you visit Messina 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 Messina 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.

Messina

Messina is a local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta

Valletta is a cultural, waterfront, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Valletta?

Both Valletta and Messina have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Messina is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Valletta is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Messina different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Valletta that are not to be missed. 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.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

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

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

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).

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Messina or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Messina has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

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 Messina or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Both Messina and Valletta are considered to be respectable beach destinations.

Messina is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

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 Messina or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is renowned for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Valletta is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Valletta?

Valletta is well known for shopping. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Valletta is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Messina. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Is Messina or Valletta Better for Families?

Messina is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Messina. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

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 Messina or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is renowned for romance. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Messina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Messina or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is well known for backpackers. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Messina. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Is Messina or Valletta Better for Students?

Messina is a port city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Messina. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Valletta is not popular with students.

Is Messina 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 Messina and Valletta.

You'll find some public transit in Messina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

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 Messina or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is renowned for its walkability. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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.

Messina is a very walkable port city. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Messina?

How long in Messina or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Valletta. In our opinion, Valletta has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Valletta than Messina. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Messina. 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 Messina 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 Messina or Valletta?

The port city of Messina offers food and shopping. 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, 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 Messina or Valletta?

Messina is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Messina, 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 Messina or Valletta?

Messina 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.

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 Messina or Valletta?

Messina is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city 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 Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Valletta?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Messina 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 Messina or Valletta?

Messina 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 Messina or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Messina as well as Valletta. The summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In July, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In the summer, Messina often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in July than Valletta. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Messina is around the same temperature as Valletta in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. Messina usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Messina. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Valletta. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Messina during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

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

In the winter, Messina often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Valletta. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Valletta. Many visitors come to Messina in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives more rain than Valletta. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Messina