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

Should you visit Valletta or Rouen?

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 Rouen 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a relaxing, historical, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and Rouen are both popular with visitors, Valletta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also home to The Grand Masters Palace. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Valletta different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Valletta are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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).

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Valletta or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Rouen.

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.

Rouen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Valletta or Rouen Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Valletta. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Valletta is revered around 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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Rouen?

Valletta is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Valletta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Valletta or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Rouen 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 Rouen. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Valletta or Rouen Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Is Valletta or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valletta is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen a more walkable city?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Valletta or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Valletta than Rouen 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 Rouen.

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

In Valletta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful city of Rouen 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 Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Rouen 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rouen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Rouen?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rouen 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 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Valletta and Rouen, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Rouen?

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

Rouen 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 Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Rouen. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Rouen. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen 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, most visitors come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Valletta is much warmer than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives more rain than Rouen. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Rouen in the Winter?

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

The weather in Rouen can be very cold. In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Rouen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In April, Valletta is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Rouen. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Valletta