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

Should you visit Valletta or Imperia?

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 Imperia 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Imperia

Imperia is a undiscovered, authentic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Imperia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and Imperia are popular destinations, Valletta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valletta is more touristy than Imperia and is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also well known for The Grand Masters Palace. Imperia is famous for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Valletta different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Valletta on the map. 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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Valletta is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Valletta or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Imperia.

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.

Imperia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Valletta or Imperia Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for the beach. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a 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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Imperia?

Valletta is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Valletta or Imperia Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Imperia 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 Imperia. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Valletta or Imperia Better for Couples?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Valletta makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Valletta or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is notable for backpackers. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valletta is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Valletta and Imperia.

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 Imperia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Valletta or Imperia a more walkable city?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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.

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Valletta or Imperia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Valletta than Imperia 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 Imperia.

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

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 town of Imperia offers food and shopping. 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 Imperia?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Imperia?

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.

Imperia 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 Imperia?

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.

Imperia 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Valletta and Imperia, 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 Imperia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Imperia?

Imperia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

Imperia 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 Imperia in the Summer?

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

Valletta is around the same temperature as Imperia in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Imperia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Imperia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Imperia. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Imperia. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Imperia in the Autumn?

Both Imperia 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, most visitors come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Valletta is around the same temperature as Imperia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Imperia averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Imperia during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Imperia. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Imperia in the Winter?

Both Imperia 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Imperia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Imperia. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Imperia. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Imperia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Imperia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

Valletta is around the same temperature as Imperia in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Imperia fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Imperia during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Imperia. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Valletta