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

Should you visit Valletta or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow 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.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a cultural, historic, and high energy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Valletta and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Glasgow?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow. Although Valletta and Glasgow are popular destinations, Glasgow has more sights and attractions for tourists. Glasgow is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Valletta attracts visitors for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also well known for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Valletta different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Glasgow 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valletta is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

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

Glasgow is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow is terrific for its music scene. However, Valletta is not a live music destination.

Glasgow has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Valletta is not a live music destination.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for the beach. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

The rich history of Valletta can be explored in its historical center. 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 Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Glasgow?

Valletta is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Valletta has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Glasgow is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Valletta or Glasgow Better for Students?

Glasgow is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

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 Glasgow a more walkable city?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Valletta is a very easy town to get around 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.

Glasgow is very walkable. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Valletta and Glasgow. In our opinion, Valletta has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Valletta than Glasgow. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

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

In Valletta, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Glasgow offers museums and nightlife. 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 Glasgow?

In Valletta, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Valletta has to offer.

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

Five days in Valletta or Glasgow?

Valletta is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Glasgow 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 Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Valletta. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Glasgow 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 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Glasgow?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Glasgow. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Valletta is much warmer than Glasgow in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Glasgow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Glasgow. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

In the autumn, Valletta is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Glasgow averages at about 10°C (49°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 Glasgow. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. Valletta usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Glasgow in the Winter?

Both Glasgow 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, many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. In January, Valletta is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. In January, Valletta usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Glasgow in the Spring?

Both Glasgow 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 visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city.

Valletta is much warmer than Glasgow in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Valletta