A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valletta vs. San Remo for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Valletta or San Remo?

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 Remo 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Valletta and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or San Remo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and San Remo are popular destinations, Valletta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valletta is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while San Remo attracts visitors for its beaches. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also well known for The Grand Masters Palace. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Valletta different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is terrific for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Valletta is terrific for its restaurants. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Valletta or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Valletta or San Remo Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at San Remo attract visitors from all over. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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 Remo Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Valletta has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or San Remo?

Valletta is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Valletta or San Remo Better for Families?

San Remo 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 San Remo. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

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 Remo Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for couples. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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

Valletta is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Valletta and San Remo.

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 San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is Valletta or San Remo a more walkable city?

Valletta is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

San Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or San Remo?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than San Remo. 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 San Remo 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 San Remo?

The beautiful town of Valletta offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The beautiful coastal city of San Remo offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 San Remo?

Valletta 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Valletta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

San Remo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Remo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or San Remo?

Valletta 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.

San Remo 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 San Remo?

Valletta is a great place to explore. 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. This town offers something for everyone.

San Remo is a great place to explore. 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. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or San Remo?

San Remo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and San Remo, 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 Remo?

San Remo 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 Remo in the Summer?

Both San Remo 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, many visitors come to San Remo in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Valletta is a little warmer than San Remo in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in San Remo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than San Remo. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or San Remo in the Autumn?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun.

San Remo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valletta usually gets less rain in October than San Remo. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or San Remo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and San Remo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Remo because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Valletta is generally a little warmer than San Remo. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than San Remo. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or San Remo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Valletta as well as San Remo. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

Valletta is a little warmer than San Remo in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°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 San Remo. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than San Remo. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Valletta