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

Should you visit Valletta or Rijeka?

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 Rijeka 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 historic, charming, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a coastal, accessible, and diverse town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Rijeka?

Both Rijeka and Valletta have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Valletta is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rijeka attracts visitors for its nightlife and big city activities. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Valletta different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Valletta on the map. 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.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

Valletta is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Valletta or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

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

Rijeka has a large number of nightlife venues. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

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 Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Both Valletta and Rijeka are considered to be reasonable beach destinations.

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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Valletta or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Valletta is one of the most recognized in 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.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Rijeka?

Valletta is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Valletta or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka 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 Rijeka. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka Better for Couples?

Valletta is renowned for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Valletta or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valletta is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Valletta or Rijeka Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Valletta and Rijeka.

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 Rijeka, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Valletta or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Valletta is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Valletta 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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Valletta or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Valletta than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Rijeka. 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 Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

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.

The town of Rijeka offers 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 Rijeka?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Rijeka?

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.

Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming 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.

Rijeka 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 Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Rijeka, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Rijeka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rijeka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rijeka 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 Rijeka.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Rijeka?

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

Rijeka 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 Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Rijeka. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Valletta is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rijeka. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Valletta is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Valletta during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In January, Valletta is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Rijeka. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Valletta is a little warmer than Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Valletta