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

Should you visit Nafplio or Valletta?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Valletta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a picturesque, romantic, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Valletta

Valletta is a charming, cultural, and waterfront town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Valletta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valletta. Although Nafplio and Valletta are popular destinations, Valletta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valletta is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Nafplio attracts visitors for its nightlife and beaches. Nafplio is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also well known for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Nafplio different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Valletta has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Many visitors head to Nafplio specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nafplio makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

Is Nafplio or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Nafplio has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

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 Nafplio or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is a city 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 Nafplio. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

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 Nafplio or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Valletta?

Valletta is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Nafplio is a great destination for shopping. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Is Nafplio or Valletta Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Valletta.

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

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 Nafplio or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Nafplio frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

Is Nafplio or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Nafplio is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Nafplio and Valletta.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

You'll find some public transit in Valletta, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.

Is Nafplio or Valletta a more walkable city?

Nafplio and Valletta are terrific when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Nafplio. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Valletta?

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

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

The beautiful city of Nafplio offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Nafplio or Valletta?

Nafplio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Nafplio, 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 Nafplio or Valletta?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Valletta?

Nafplio is a great place to explore. 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 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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Valletta?

Nafplio has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Valletta?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Valletta in the Summer?

Both Valletta and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Valletta in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Valletta. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Nafplio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

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

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Valletta. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Valletta in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Valletta. The winter months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Nafplio is generally cooler than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Nafplio usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Valletta. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Valletta. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Valletta in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the spring, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets more rain in April than Valletta. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Nafplio