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

Should you visit Valletta or Basel?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Valletta and Basel 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.

Valletta

Valletta is a historic, charming, and cultural town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a easily accessible, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Basel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and Basel are both popular with visitors, Valletta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also home to The Grand Masters Palace. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Valletta different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Valletta are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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).

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Valletta or Basel Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Basel.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Basel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Valletta or Basel Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for the beache. However, Basel 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.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Valletta is revered around the world. 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.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Basel?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Valletta and Basel.

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.

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Valletta or Basel Better for Families?

Basel 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 Basel. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

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 Valletta or Basel Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Valletta has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Basel is a good town for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Valletta or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valletta is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Basel is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Valletta or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Basel. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Valletta or Basel a more walkable city?

Valletta and Basel are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Valletta. 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.

Getting around Basel on foot is easy. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Basel?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valletta than Basel 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 Valletta or Basel?

In Valletta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this waterfront destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful city of Basel 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 Valletta or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Basel 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 Basel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Basel?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Basel 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 Valletta or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Basel 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Valletta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Valletta Expensive? and Is Basel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Basel, 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 Valletta or Basel?

Basel 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 Valletta or Basel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Basel. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Basel. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Valletta is much warmer than Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Basel during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives more rain than Basel. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Valletta during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Basel. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Basel. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Basel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Basel. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Basel and Valletta