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

Should you visit Valletta or Bruges?

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 Bruges 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a charming, historic, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and Bruges are popular destinations, Valletta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valletta is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, and shopping, while Bruges attracts visitors for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also well known for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Valletta different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

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

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

Eat your way through Valletta, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Is Valletta or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Bruges.

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.

Bruges has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Valletta or Bruges Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

The beach in Valletta is worth checking out. 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and Bruges have fantastic historic old towns worth visiting.

Valletta has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

The old town of Bruges is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Bruges?

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

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Valletta or Bruges Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Bruges are nice 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 Bruges. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Valletta or Bruges Better for Couples?

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

Valletta is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Is Valletta or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Bruges are both very good 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 Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Valletta and Bruges.

Valletta has some public transit options. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Bruges, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Valletta or Bruges a more walkable city?

Valletta and Bruges are fantastic 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 Bruges on foot is easy. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Bruges?

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

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

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.

The beautiful city of Bruges 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 Bruges?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Bruges?

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.

Bruges 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 Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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.

Bruges 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Bruges?

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

Bruges 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 Bruges in the Summer?

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

Valletta is much warmer than Bruges in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Bruges. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Bruges. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Valletta is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Bruges averages at about 12°C (54°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 Bruges. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bruges. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges 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, most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. In January, Valletta is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Bruges. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty.

Valletta is much warmer than Bruges in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Bruges. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Valletta