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

Should you visit Valletta or Pisa?

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 Pisa 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. The beauty of Valletta is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Valletta travel costs.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. With stunning beauty, Pisa attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Pisa travel costs.

Valletta and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Pisa?

Both Pisa and Valletta have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Valletta is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and historical sights, while Pisa is known for its nightlife and beaches. Pisa is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Valletta different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Many visitors head to Pisa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

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

Valletta is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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).

Dining out in Pisa is an experience not to be missed. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Valletta or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

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 Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a city with good options for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Pisa. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

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 Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is terrific for its old town. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Pisa?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Valletta and Pisa.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Pisa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

Is Valletta or Pisa More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of excellent scenery and beauty in both Valletta and Pisa.

With stunning beauty, Valletta attracts visitors from all around. With its long running history and striking cream buildings against the blue Mediterranean waters, this is a truly beautiful town.

Pisa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. While most people think of the city's iconic Leaning Tower, the city itself is filled with its own beauty and charm.

Is Valletta or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Pisa are good 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 Pisa. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Valletta or Pisa Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pisa is a good town for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Valletta or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Pisa are both excellent 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 Pisa. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Is Valletta or Pisa Better for Students?

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

Pisa is a very popular city for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Valletta and Pisa.

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 Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Valletta or Pisa a more walkable city?

Valletta is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Pisa is a very walkable destination. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Pisa?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The beautiful city of Pisa offers food and shopping. 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 Pisa?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Valletta or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Valletta. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa 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 Pisa?

The historic town of Valletta offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Pisa 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Pisa, 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 Pisa?

Pisa 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 Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Pisa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Pisa. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Pisa. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Valletta is a little warmer than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°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 Pisa. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Valletta usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Pisa in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Pisa. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa 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. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In April, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Valletta