Which city is cheaper, Valletta or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Valletta for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers
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Should you visit Santorini or Valletta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini 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.
Santorini
Santorini is a romantic, stunning, and historic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Valletta
Valletta is a waterfront, historic, and charming town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Santorini and Valletta: Pros and Cons
Santorini
Pros- Popular beach
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Impressive beauty
- Quaint atmosphere
- Less museums and historical sights
- Less popular for food
- Less walkable
Valletta
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Popular for food and cuisine
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Very walkable
- Less attractive beach
How is Santorini different from Valletta?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Valletta and Santorini. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Is Santorini or Valletta Better for Museums and Historical Sights?
Santorini
Valletta
Head to Valletta if you're looking for good museums or notable landmarks, as it has more to offer than Santorini.
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.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santorini. One of the most impressive historical sights is Akrotiri Archaeological Site. The island has many archeological sites as well as the Archeological Museum in Fira.
Is Santorini or Valletta Better for Food?
Santorini
Valletta
Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Valletta a bit more than Santorini.
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).
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santorini area. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.
Is Santorini or Valletta Better for Nightlife?
Santorini
Valletta
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find comparable options between Santorini and Valletta.
If you're looking for night time activities Santorini has a few options to choose from. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Valletta. 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 Santorini or Valletta Better for Beaches?
Santorini
Valletta
Both Santorini and Valletta have beaches worth visiting.
Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos Beach.
The beach in Valletta is worth checking out. 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 Santorini or Valletta Better for Shopping?
Santorini
Valletta
If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Valletta both offer plenty of spots.
Santorini is well-known for its shopping. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.
Is Santorini or Valletta Better for Families?
Santorini
Valletta
Santorini and Valletta are both fun destinations for the whole family.
Santorini offers lots of family activities. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.
Valletta is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Santorini or Valletta Better for Couples?
Santorini
Valletta
Santorini and Valletta are both fun to visit as a couple.
Santorini has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.
Valletta is a great island 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.
Is Santorini or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Santorini
Valletta
For backpackers, both Santorini and Valletta are fairly comparable places to visit.
It's common for backpackers to visit Santorini. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.
Valletta is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Santorini or Valletta Better for Public Transit?
Santorini
Valletta
Santorini and Valletta both offer public transit to get you around.
While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.
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 Santorini or Valletta a more walkable city?
Santorini
Valletta
Valletta is considered more walkable than Santorini.
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.
Santorini is a somewhat walkable island. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.
Should I spend more time in Valletta or Santorini?
How long in Santorini or Valletta?
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than Valletta.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Santorini is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Valletta is 1-3 days.
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How many days in Santorini or Valletta? Ideal Length of StaySantorini 3-7Valletta 1-3
One day in Santorini or Valletta?
The beautiful island of Santorini offers museums and nightlife. 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.
You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Valletta has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
A weekend in Santorini or Valletta?
Santorini 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Five days in Santorini or Valletta?
Santorini is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santorini, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural town of Valletta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Santorini or Valletta?
Santorini is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santorini has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.
Valletta is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €131Valletta €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €131, while the average daily cost in Valletta is €114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Valletta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €66Valletta €64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €132Valletta €128
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Valletta
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Valletta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santorini Hotel Prices and Valletta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €23Valletta €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer: $37
- Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia: $75
- Shared Transfer Service: $17
- Private Transfer to/from Santorini Airport (JTR): $50
- Private Airport Transfer: $25
- Santorini transfer service: $17
- Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers: $62
- Santorini Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer: $45
- Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service: $27
- Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer: $933
- Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time: $23
- Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $2,839
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta
Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: Malta International Airport (MLA) to Valletta: $68
- Private Transfer from Malta Luqa Airport to Cirkewwa Ferry: $47
- Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $40
- Malta Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Saint Julian's Hotels or Address): $37
- Private Airport Round-Trip Transfer: Malta Airport to Valletta City Center: $27
- Private Airport Transfer: Malta International Airport (MLA) to St. Paul's Bay: $18
- Private Airport Transfer: Valletta/Sliema/St. Julian to Malta Int. Airport (MLA): $14
- Private Airport Transfer: Malta Int. Airport (MLA) to Valletta/Sliema/St. Julian: $14
- Private Departure Transfer from Valletta City Center to Malta Airport: $13
- Round-trip Shuttle Bus Transfers from Malta Airport to Your Hotel in Malta: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Valletta?
Prices for flights to both Valletta and Santorini change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySantorini €38Valletta €35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Live Virtual Cooking Class: $26
- A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner: $90
- Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $90
- Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $108
- Sunset Sea Kayak and Snorkel with Dinner: $108
- Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner: $118
- Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling: $131
- Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $506
- Full-Day Royalty Private Cooking Class and Tour in Santorini: $506
- Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $546
- Santorini Private Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner, Drinks &Transfer included: $1,350
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta
For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Valletta Food Tour Experience: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €29Valletta €21
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- 3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $50
- 5-Hour Santorini Photography Day Tour: $606
- Discover Prehistoric Akrotiri & Winery Tour: $182
- Explore Akrotiri GroupTour: $583
- Exploring the Myth of Santorini - Full Day Tour: $133
- From Athens: Overnight Tour to Santorini: $373
- From Folegandros Private Rib Boat Tour: $2,725
- Full-Day Royalty Private Wine Walking Tour in Santorini: $428
- Full-Day Santorini Southeastern Side Tour with Drink Tasting: $127
- Half-Day Private Santorini Tour with Hidden Beaches: $323
- Half-Day Walking Tour in Santorini with Canava Ouzo Visit: $413
- Highlits Of Santorini Private Tour: $560
Tours and Activities in Valletta
For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-hr day tour around Malta: $212
- 5 days Malta highlights guided tour: $373
- 6-hour Private Tour around Malta: $283
- 8 days best of Malta guided tour: $572
- Blue Grotto and Sunday Market at Marsaxlokk Fishing Village Tour: $35
- Combination Tour of Powerboat & Jeep - Gozo & Comino: $106
- Eco marine Malta marine life spotting experience to Filfla: $114
- Exclusive Combination Tour – Cabin Cruiser & Jeep: $118
- Family Tour - The Building of Valletta: $112
- Full-Day Cruise to Comino & Blue Lagoon with Food & Drinks: $34
- GAILY TOUR in MALTA & VALLETTA - Gay & Lesbian Tour: $218
- Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour w/ Private Boat to Gozo & return (to avoid queuing): $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €21Valletta €18
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting: $89
- Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
- Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
- Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village: $111
- Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike: $114
- Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $117
- Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $124
- Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $134
- Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $140
- Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with Pick Up: $141
- Santorini Wine Tasting and History Small Group Tour: $153
- 4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour: $159
When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Valletta, we can see that Santorini 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.
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