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

Should you visit Valletta or Bratislava?

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 Bratislava 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bratislava

Bratislava is a historical, under-rated, and genuine city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Bratislava: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Bratislava?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Bratislava, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Bratislava is more popular for its nightlife and quaint atmosphere. Valletta is more touristy than Bratislava and is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace. Bratislava is well known for its local beer, charming old town, and scenic mountain setting.

How is Valletta different from Bratislava?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Valletta that are not to be missed. 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 Bratislava specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Despite its small size, the city is packed with interesting sights and attractions. A highlight of a visit is exploring the Bratislava Castle. Other notable sights include Michael's Gate, the Slovak National Theatre, Grassalkovich Palace, and Primate's Palace & Hall of Mirrors.

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

Valletta is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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).

Bratislava has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Slovakian food is hearty and uses a few staple ingredients like cheese and dumplings. The dishes are warm and filling on a cool day, so it's nice to step into a cozy restaurant and rest after a day of exploring. Popular local dishes include bryndzové halušky (sheep's cheese gnocchi), kapustnica (cabbage soup), and goulash.

Is Valletta or Bratislava Better for Nightlife?

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

Bratislava has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has grown in popularity as a center for nightlife with many people visiting from nearby Vienna. There are a growing number of stag and hen parties around town, but you'll also find sophisticated wine bars and a refined social scene. Many of the city's clubs are found in old town around Michalská, Obchodná and Ventúrska streets as well as Hviezdoslavovo and SNP squares.

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 Valletta or Bratislava Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for its beaches. However, Bratislava 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.

Bratislava is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Bratislava Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Valletta is one of the most recognized in 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bratislava. The old town is filled with diverse architecture as well as traditional and upscale restaurants.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Bratislava?

Valletta is notable for shopping. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bratislava. Shopping has come to life here, with three large shopping malls and many shopping streets where you'll find local boutiques. The city has both global brands as well as more traditional shops where you can buy local items. Popular things to purchase while you're in town include traditional clothing, wooden crosses, corn husk dolls, and local alcohol such as slivovica.

Is Valletta or Bratislava Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Bratislava are notable to visit with kids.

Valletta is a family-friendly town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bratislava. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the lack of tourist crowds when compared to other European cities, even during school holidays. You can explore the city and enjoy a laid back vibe without the chaos of navigating through tour groups and large crowds. There's also a nice old town as well as gardens, playgrounds, palaces, and the Bratislava Castle.

Is Valletta or Bratislava Better for Couples?

Valletta is renowned for romance. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Bratislava makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that enjoy stepping away from tourist crowds will appreciate this relaxed city. There is the beautiful Janko Kráľ Park as well as the Bratislava Castle that you can explore. It's enjoyable to simply walk around the old town and soak up the atmosphere as well. There are also many great restaurants and wine bars where you can enjoy a night out.

Is Valletta or Bratislava Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Bratislava are both excellent destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bratislava. The city offers an affordable and unique alternative to some of the larger and well known cities that are nearby. There are a couple of hostels and some affordable hotels that will help you keep your expenses down.

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

Bratislava 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 Bratislava. There are trams, buses, and trolleybuses.

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 Bratislava a more walkable city?

Valletta and Bratislava are terrific 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 Bratislava on foot is easy. One of the best ways to experience the city is to walk around. The old town is also a large pedestrian zone.

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

Should I spend more time in Bratislava or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Bratislava?

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the charming town of Valletta, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Valletta, one day is sufficent for most.

The beautiful city of Bratislava 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 Bratislava?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Valletta, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

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

Five days in Valletta or Bratislava?

Valletta, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bratislava 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 Bratislava?

Valletta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bratislava 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 in Slovakia, and The Best River Cruises in Slovakia.

When comparing the travel costs between Valletta and Bratislava, we can see that Bratislava 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 Valletta Expensive? and Is Bratislava Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Bratislava?

Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Bratislava, 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 Bratislava?

Bratislava 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 Bratislava in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Bratislava. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Bratislava in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Valletta is a little warmer than Bratislava. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Bratislava averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Bratislava. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 255 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Bratislava. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Bratislava in the Autumn?

Both Bratislava 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, most visitors come to Bratislava for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than Bratislava. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Bratislava fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Bratislava during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives more rain than Bratislava. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Bratislava in the Winter?

Both Bratislava 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, the winter months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bratislava can be very cold. Valletta is much warmer than Bratislava in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Bratislava fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Bratislava. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 65 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Bratislava. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Bratislava in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Bratislava. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.

In the spring, Valletta is a little warmer than Bratislava. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Bratislava averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bratislava this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Bratislava during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Bratislava. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bratislava and Valletta