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

Should you visit Taormina 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 Taormina 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.

Taormina

Taormina is a opulent, historic, and beautiful town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Valletta

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

Taormina and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Valletta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valletta. Although Taormina 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 Taormina attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Taormina is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also well known for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Taormina different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

Valletta is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Taormina makes for a great culinary experience. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Taormina or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Taormina has a large number of nightlife venues. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

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 Taormina or Valletta Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Valletta is not a resort destination.

In Taormina, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Valletta is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a town 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 Taormina. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

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 Taormina or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Valletta has a world-famous historical 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Valletta?

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

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Taormina or Valletta Better for Families?

Valletta is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Valletta offers lots of family activities. 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is very popular for couples. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

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.

Taormina is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Is Taormina or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

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

Taormina and Valletta both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Taormina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

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 Taormina or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Taormina and Valletta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Taormina than in Valletta. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

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

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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.

The beautiful town of Valletta offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Taormina or Valletta?

Taormina is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Taormina, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Valletta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Valletta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Valletta?

Taormina 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 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.

A week in Taormina or Valletta?

Taormina is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Valletta 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 town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

When comparing the travel costs between Taormina 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 Taormina Expensive? and Is Valletta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Valletta?

Taormina has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina or Valletta?

Taormina 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 Taormina or Valletta in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Valletta. The summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Valletta in the summer. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Taormina usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Valletta. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Valletta in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Valletta. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In the autumn, Taormina is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Taormina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Valletta averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. In the autumn, Taormina often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.

Taormina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Taormina usually gets more rain in October than Valletta. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Valletta in the Winter?

Both Valletta and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Taormina for 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.

In January, Taormina is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 13°C (55°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Taormina usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during winter. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Taormina usually receives less rain than Valletta. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Valletta in the Spring?

Both Valletta and Taormina during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Valletta in the spring. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Taormina. In the spring, Taormina often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets more rain in April than Valletta. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Taormina