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

Should you visit Valletta or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a quaint, small, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife and museums.

Valletta and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Le Mans?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Le Mans, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans is more popular for its small town charm. Valletta is more touristy than Le Mans and is known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace. Le Mans is well known for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Valletta different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Valletta from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Valletta has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Valletta or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Le Mans.

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.

Le Mans has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Valletta or Le Mans Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for its beaches. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Le Mans Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Le Mans?

Valletta is great for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Valletta or Le Mans Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Le Mans 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 Le Mans. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Valletta or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Valletta has plenty to offer. 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Valletta or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Valletta is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Valletta and Le Mans.

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 Le Mans, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Valletta or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of 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.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans offers museums and nightlife. 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 Le Mans?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

Le Mans 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 Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Le Mans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Valletta is a little warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Le Mans averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Le Mans this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Le Mans. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town atmosphere.

In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°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 Le Mans. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than Le Mans. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans 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, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

It's quite cold in Le Mans in the winter. Valletta is much warmer than Le Mans in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans 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 travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm.

In the spring, Valletta is much warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Le Mans averages at about 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Le Mans. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Valletta