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

Should you visit Valletta or Houston?

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 Houston 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 cultural, waterfront, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Valletta and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston. Although Valletta and Houston are both popular with visitors, Houston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Houston is more popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Valletta is known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Valletta is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston.

How is Valletta different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Valletta are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for Nightlife?

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

Houston has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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 Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Valletta is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Valletta is not a live music destination.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a town with a few options for the beache. However, Houston 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.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Houston does not have a historic 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.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Houston?

Valletta is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Valletta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for Families?

Houston is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Valletta. 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.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Houston is a good town for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Valletta is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Valletta or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Valletta is a good destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Valletta or Houston a more walkable city?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Valletta on foot is easy. 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable town. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Houston?

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

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

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.

Houston is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Houston?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Houston?

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.

Houston 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 Houston?

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.

Houston 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Valletta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valletta is in Europe and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Houston, 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 Houston?

Houston 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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Valletta during the summer 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 travelers come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Houston. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Valletta is around the same temperature as Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Houston. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Houston. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Valletta is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Houston. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Houston because of the activities around the city.

In April, Valletta is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Houston. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Valletta