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

Should you visit Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

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 Santiago de Compostela 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 cultural, waterfront, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a religious, inspirational, and iconic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Valletta and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Valletta and Santiago de Compostela are both popular with visitors, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its nightlife and hiking, while Valletta is known for its food, beaches, and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Valletta and is popular for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. It is also home to the Cathedral of Santiago. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens.

How is Valletta different from Santiago de Compostela?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela?

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela that are not to be missed. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.

Is the Food Better in Valletta or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Valletta is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

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

Santiago de Compostela has a large number of nightlife venues. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.

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 Santiago de Compostela Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a town with a few options for the beache. However, Santiago de Compostela 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.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and Santiago de Compostela have terrific historic old towns worth visiting.

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.

The old town of Santiago de Compostela is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Around Santiago de Compostela visitors will find world-class hiking trails. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Valletta and Santiago de Compostela.

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.

Santiago de Compostela is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Both Valletta and Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Valletta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a good town for couples to visit. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Santiago de Compostela are both excellent 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 Santiago de Compostela. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Santiago de Compostela. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Valletta and Santiago de Compostela.

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 Santiago de Compostela, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Valletta or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Valletta is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Valletta on foot is easy. 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Valletta Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Santiago de Compostela. 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 Santiago de Compostela. 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.

One day in Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

The town of Valletta offers museums and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Santiago de Compostela?

The historic destination of Valletta offers nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Valletta. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Santiago de Compostela, 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 Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Valletta during the summer 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 Santiago de Compostela in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Santiago de Compostela. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Valletta is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Santiago de Compostela. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Valletta is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Valletta usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In April, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Valletta