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

Should you visit Valletta or Budapest?

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 Budapest 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. The beauty of Valletta is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Valletta travel costs.

Budapest

Budapest is a historic, authentic, and bustling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Budapest attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Budapest travel costs.

Valletta and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Budapest?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest. Although Valletta and Budapest are both popular with visitors, Budapest has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Budapest is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Valletta is known for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, and historical sights. Budapest is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Valletta different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Valletta are world-renowned. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Budapest can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

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

Valletta is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Valletta has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

Budapest may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

Is Valletta or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

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

Budapest has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

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 Budapest Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for the beach. However, Budapest 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.

Budapest is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is terrific for its old town. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

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.

Many visitors go to Budapest to see the historical old town. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Budapest?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Valletta and Budapest.

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.

Budapest is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Is Valletta or Budapest More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Valletta and Budapest.

With stunning beauty, Valletta attracts visitors from all around. With its long running history and striking cream buildings against the blue Mediterranean waters, this is a truly beautiful town.

Budapest is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Set against the river, the city has beautiful buildings and nice parks.

Is Valletta or Budapest Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Budapest are good 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 Budapest. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

Is Valletta or Budapest Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Valletta 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.

Budapest is a very popular place to visit for couples. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

Is Valletta or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Budapest, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Valletta or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Budapest is a very popular city for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Budapest can take you anywhere. The metro, 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 Budapest a more walkable city?

Valletta and Budapest are amazing 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 Budapest on foot is easy. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Budapest?

In either Valletta or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Valletta because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Budapest. 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 Budapest. 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 Budapest than Valletta 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 Budapest.

One day in Valletta or Budapest?

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.

Budapest is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

A weekend in Valletta or Budapest?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Budapest?

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.

Budapest is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Budapest, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Valletta or Budapest?

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.

Budapest 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 Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Budapest, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Valletta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valletta than you might in Budapest.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valletta Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Budapest, 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 Budapest?

Budapest 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 Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Budapest. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Budapest. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Budapest. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Valletta is much warmer than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Budapest 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 Budapest. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Budapest. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest 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, many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Valletta