A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valletta vs. Reykjavik for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Valletta or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Valletta and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Reykjavik?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Reykjavik, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Valletta different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Reykjavik.

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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

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

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Valletta offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Reykjavik?

Valletta is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Reykjavik. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Reykjavik is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Valletta or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable town. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Reykjavik?

In either Valletta or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik.

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Valletta has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Reykjavik offers shopping and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Valletta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

Valletta is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Reykjavik?

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

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Valletta is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik 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, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Reykjavik. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Reykjavik in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Valletta is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Reykjavik in the Spring?

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

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Valletta is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°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 Reykjavik. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Valletta