A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valletta vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Valletta or San Francisco?

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 San Francisco 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.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and beaches.

Valletta and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or San Francisco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco. Although Valletta and San Francisco are popular destinations, San Francisco has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Francisco is very popular for its theatre productions, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Valletta attracts visitors for its historical sights. San Francisco is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also well known for The Golden Gate Bridge. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Valletta different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both San Francisco and Valletta.

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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in San Francisco that are not to be missed. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a coastal city with good options for its shows and theatre. However, Valletta is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Valletta is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Valletta and San Francisco.

Many restaurants in Valletta have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

Eat your way through San Francisco, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and San Francisco.

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.

San Francisco has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a coastal city with good options for its music scene. However, Valletta is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Valletta is not a live music destination.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a very popular place for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

The beaches at San Francisco attract visitors from all over. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

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 San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

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

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

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

Around San Francisco visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or San Francisco?

San Francisco is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to San Francisco specifically to go shopping. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

Valletta is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Francisco is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

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 San Francisco Better for Couples?

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

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.

San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and San Francisco are both high quality 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 San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Is Valletta or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco 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 San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of San Francisco can take you anywhere. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

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 San Francisco a more walkable city?

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or San Francisco?

Both Valletta and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Valletta. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Valletta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Francisco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Valletta 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 San Francisco.

One day in Valletta or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Valletta. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

San Francisco is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Valletta or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Francisco is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Valletta. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

San Francisco is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful town of Valletta. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Francisco has to offer. This coastal 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Valletta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valletta is in Europe and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Valletta is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Valletta usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as San Francisco. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In the autumn, Valletta is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco 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, many travelers come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Valletta is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Valletta usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Francisco. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco 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, many visitors come to San Francisco in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Valletta is a little warmer than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as San Francisco. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Valletta