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

Should you visit Valletta or Carcassonne?

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

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Valletta and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Carcassonne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is more popular for its small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Valletta different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

Valletta is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Valletta is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Carcassonne?

Valletta is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Valletta is very popular for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Valletta and Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Valletta or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Valletta and Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Valletta or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Valletta than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the waterfront town of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Valletta. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Carcassonne 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carcassonne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Carcassonne?

The cultural town of Valletta offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Valletta. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Valletta is around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Valletta during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Carcassonne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Valletta is much warmer than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Carcassonne. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Valletta is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Valletta