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

Should you visit Valletta or Milan?

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 Milan 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.

Milan

Milan is a chic, cultural, and trendy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Valletta and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan. Although Valletta and Milan are popular destinations, Milan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Milan is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Valletta attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Milan is famous for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Valletta different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Milan 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Valletta and Milan.

Many restaurants in Valletta have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

Eat your way through Milan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for Nightlife?

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

Milan is a must-see party destination. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

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

Milan has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Valletta is not a live music destination.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for the beach. However, Milan 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.

Milan is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and Milan have world-class historic old towns worth visiting.

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.

The old town of Milan is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Milan?

Milan is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Milan specifically to go shopping. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Valletta is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Milan 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 Milan. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for Couples?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Valletta is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Milan are both great destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

Is Valletta or Milan Better for Students?

Milan is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Milan is a very popular city for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Milan is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Milan can take you anywhere. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

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 Milan a more walkable city?

Valletta and Milan are world-class when it comes to walkability.

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.

Getting around Milan on foot is easy. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Milan or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Milan?

In either Valletta or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Valletta because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Milan. 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 Milan. 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 Milan than Valletta 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 Milan.

One day in Valletta or Milan?

In Valletta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Milan is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milan 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Milan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Milan?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Milan is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Milan, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Valletta or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Milan is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Milan, 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 Milan?

Milan 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 Milan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Milan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

Valletta is a little warmer than Milan in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milan this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Milan during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Milan. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Milan. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Valletta is a little warmer than Milan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Milan averages at about 15°C (58°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 Milan. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Milan. Valletta usually gets less rain in October than Milan. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan 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 visitors come to Milan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Milan can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Valletta is generally much warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Milan during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Milan. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan 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, most visitors come to Milan for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Valletta is a little warmer than Milan in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Milan. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Milan. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Valletta