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

Should you visit Valletta or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a playful, fun, and energetic lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Valletta and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and Lake Garda are both popular with visitors, Valletta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Valletta is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Lake Garda is known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Lake Garda is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also home to The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Valletta different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Valletta are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Valletta is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Valletta or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

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

Lake Garda has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

The beaches at Lake Garda attract visitors from all over. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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.

Is Valletta or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Valletta has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Valletta or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Lake Garda?

Valletta is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Valletta is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Valletta or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an extremely popular lake to visit for families. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Valletta or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Valletta is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Valletta or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Valletta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lake Garda, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural town of Valletta, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Valletta, one day is sufficent for most.

The beautiful lake of Lake Garda offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Valletta, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Lake Garda is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Garda, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Lake Garda?

Valletta, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Valletta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This lake 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Valletta or Lake Garda?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda 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 visitors come to Lake Garda in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Lake Garda. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Valletta is much warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lake Garda. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Lake Garda. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lake Garda can be very cold. In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Lake Garda. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

In April, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°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 Lake Garda. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Valletta