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

Should you visit Valletta or Bonn?

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 Bonn 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 waterfront, historic, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a cultural, beautiful, and outdoorsy city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Bonn?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Bonn, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is more popular for its quaint atmosphere. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Valletta different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bonn 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 Bonn?

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

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.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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

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

For foodies, Valletta is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Valletta or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Bonn.

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.

Bonn has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Valletta or Bonn Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for its beaches. However, Bonn is not a beach destination.

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.

Bonn is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Bonn?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Valletta and Bonn.

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.

Bonn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Is Valletta or Bonn Better for Families?

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

Bonn is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bonn Better for Couples?

Valletta is very popular for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Valletta makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Valletta or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Valletta is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Valletta or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn 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 Bonn. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Bonn 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 Bonn. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

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 Bonn a more walkable city?

Valletta is very popular for its walkability. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of 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.

Bonn is a very walkable town. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Bonn?

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

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Bonn. 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 Bonn. 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 Bonn 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 Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The city of Bonn 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 Bonn?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Valletta or Bonn?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Valletta. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bonn 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 Bonn?

The cultural town of Valletta offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Bonn 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Bonn, we can see that Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Bonn?

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

Bonn 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 Bonn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Bonn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Valletta is a little warmer than Bonn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Bonn averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Bonn. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Bonn. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Bonn in the Winter?

Both Bonn and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bonn can be very cold. Valletta is much warmer than Bonn in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Bonn. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Valletta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Valletta is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Bonn averages at about 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Bonn. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Valletta