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

Should you visit Valletta or Ghent?

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 Ghent 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Ghent?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Ghent, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, and historical sights, while Ghent is more popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Valletta different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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).

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Valletta or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Ghent is a must-see party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent Better for Beaches?

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

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The historic old town of Valletta is revered around 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Ghent?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Valletta and Ghent.

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.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Is Valletta or Ghent Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Valletta or Ghent Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Valletta or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Valletta or Ghent Better for Students?

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

Ghent is a very popular city for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Ghent 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 Ghent can take you anywhere. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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 Ghent a more walkable city?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Valletta 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.

Ghent is a very walkable town. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Ghent?

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

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

In Valletta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful city of Ghent 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 Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Valletta or Ghent?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ghent is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 Ghent, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Ghent?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

Ghent 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 Ghent in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Valletta is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Ghent. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent 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, many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Ghent 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 Ghent during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ghent. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Ghent in the Winter?

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

Ghent can be very cold during winter. Valletta is much warmer than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Ghent. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Ghent. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Valletta is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Ghent. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Valletta