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

Should you visit Valletta or Oxford?

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

Oxford

Oxford is a collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Oxford?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Oxford, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Oxford is more popular for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Valletta different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oxford. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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

Valletta is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valletta is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Valletta or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

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

Oxford has a large number of nightlife venues. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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 Oxford Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Oxford Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is very popular for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Valletta has a world-famous historical 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Oxford?

Valletta is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Valletta or Oxford Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Oxford 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 Oxford. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Valletta or Oxford Better for Couples?

Valletta is very popular for romance. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Valletta has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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 Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Is Valletta or Oxford Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Valletta or Oxford Better for Students?

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

Oxford is a very popular college town for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Valletta and Oxford.

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 Oxford, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Valletta or Oxford a more walkable city?

Valletta is very popular for its walkability. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of 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.

Oxford is a very walkable town. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Oxford?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 Oxford?

Valletta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this college town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Oxford?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Oxford 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 Oxford?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Valletta. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Oxford 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 college 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Oxford?

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

Oxford 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 Oxford in the Summer?

Both Oxford 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, the summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Valletta is a little warmer than Oxford. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Oxford averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Valletta or Oxford in the Autumn?

Both Oxford 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. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.

In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than Oxford. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Oxford in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Oxford. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. Valletta is much warmer than Oxford in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Oxford fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Oxford. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Oxford in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Oxford. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Valletta is much warmer than Oxford. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Oxford averages at about 9°C (48°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 Oxford. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Oxford. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Valletta