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

Should you visit Valletta or Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam. Although Valletta and Rotterdam are popular destinations, Rotterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Valletta attracts visitors for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Valletta is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Valletta different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Valletta, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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).

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Valletta or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

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

Rotterdam has a large number of nightlife venues. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Valletta is adequate for the beach. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Rotterdam Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Rotterdam?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Valletta and Rotterdam.

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.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Is Valletta or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam Better for Couples?

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

Valletta is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Valletta or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Valletta or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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.

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Rotterdam?

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

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

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.

Rotterdam is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Rotterdam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural 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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural 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.

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

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.

Rotterdam 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 port 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Rotterdam, 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 Rotterdam?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Rotterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Valletta is much warmer than Rotterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Rotterdam. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Valletta is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 11°C (51°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 Rotterdam. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than Rotterdam. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam 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, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. In January, Valletta is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Rotterdam in the Spring?

Both Rotterdam 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, the spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city.

Valletta is much warmer than Rotterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdam. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Valletta