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

Should you visit Sydney or Valletta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a diverse, energetic, and outdoorsy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Valletta

Valletta is a cultural, waterfront, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sydney and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Valletta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney. Although Sydney and Valletta are popular destinations, Sydney has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sydney is very popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Valletta attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Sydney is more touristy than Valletta and is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Sydney different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Sydney or Valletta.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sydney on the map. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Travelers visit Valletta from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

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

Valletta is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Sydney or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Sydney is a must-see party destination. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

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 Sydney or Valletta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Valletta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Valletta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Sydney is terrific for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

Sydney is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

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 Sydney or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Valletta offers plenty to see. 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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Valletta Better for Hiking?

Sydney 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 Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Sydney specifically to go shopping. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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.

Is Sydney or Valletta Better for Families?

Sydney is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Sydney is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney or Valletta Better for Couples?

Sydney and Valletta are both first-rate to visit as a couple.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Valletta is a great city 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 Sydney or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Sydney, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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.

Is Sydney or Valletta Better for Students?

Sydney is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Sydney is a very popular city for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Sydney can take you anywhere. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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 Sydney or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Valletta. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sydney than Valletta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sydney that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Valletta 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

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 Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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 Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sydney, five days is sufficent for most. 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 Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sydney has to offer. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, 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 Sydney and Valletta, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Valletta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Valletta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valletta 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Valletta.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 650 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Valletta?

Sydney 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 Sydney or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Valletta. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Sydney is cooler than Valletta in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Vallettain July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Vallettain July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Sydney is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Valletta averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Valletta. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Vallettain October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or Valletta in the Winter?

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

In July, Sydney is generally cooler than Vallettain January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Vallettain January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Vallettain January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Valletta. Most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sydney is a little warmer than Valletta in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Vallettain April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Sydney