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

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Valletta

Valletta is a waterfront, historic, and charming town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Valletta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano. Although Nagano and Valletta are both popular with visitors, Nagano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and big city activities, while Valletta is known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping. Nagano is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Nagano different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Valletta is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Valletta is not a skiing destination.

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

Valletta is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Valletta are world-renowned. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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

Valletta is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Dining out in Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Nagano has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

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 Nagano or Valletta Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Valletta is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Valletta is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

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.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is terrific for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Valletta has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Valletta?

Valletta is a great town for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Families?

Nagano 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 Nagano. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

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 Nagano or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

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.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Valletta Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Nagano. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Nagano and Valletta both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Nagano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

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 Nagano or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Valletta. In our opinion, Valletta has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Valletta than Nagano. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Nagano than Valletta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nagano, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

The beautiful city of Nagano offers museums and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagano or Valletta?

Nagano 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nagano, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Valletta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nagano or Valletta?

Nagano 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or Valletta?

Nagano is a great place to explore. 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 city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Valletta. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Valletta?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano or Valletta?

Nagano 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 Nagano or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Valletta. The summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Nagano is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Valletta averages at about 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Valletta. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Valletta in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Valletta. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In October, Nagano is generally cooler than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. In the autumn, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Valletta. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Valletta in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. Nagano is much colder than Valletta in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Valletta during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Valletta. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Valletta in the Spring?

Both Valletta and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In the spring, Nagano is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Valletta averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Valletta. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Nagano