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

Should you visit Valletta or Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a historical, cultural, and beautiful city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Valletta and Sarajevo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Sarajevo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sarajevo. Although Valletta and Sarajevo are both popular with visitors, Sarajevo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sarajevo is more popular for its hiking and big city activities, while Valletta is known for its museums and beaches. Valletta is more touristy than Sarajevo and is known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Sarajevo is popular for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food. It is also home to The Old Town.

How is Valletta different from Sarajevo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Valletta are world-renowned. 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.

Sarajevo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The sights in the city reflect its history and culture. Famous places to visit include Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, Kovači Memorial Cemetery, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

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

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

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 Sarajevo, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Bosnia isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of food, but it is actually among the best. The dishes are heavy on meat and pastry, with the perfect amount of seasoning. Favorite dishes include Bosnian burek and cevapi. And it's easy to dine your way through this beautiful city as restaurants are very affordable.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Sarajevo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. After immersing yourself in history for the day, the nighttime offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Locals and tourists come together at the city's many bars and nightclubs where you can listen to music, dance, or chat with locals over a cold beer.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a decent place to visit for the beache. However, Sarajevo 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.

Sarajevo is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and Sarajevo have fantastic 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 Sarajevo is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's old town, which is known as Baščaršija, is filled with a history charm that is unlike any other European city. The wooden shops, wandering lanes, and striking minarets highlight the area's beautiful culture and long-running history.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for Hiking?

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

Around Sarajevo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. If you have a way to get out of town, you'll be rewarded with a natural beauty that is untouched and pristine - a rare find in Europe. There are a number of popular trails that are popular with locals and tourists alike. While landmines remain a concern in off-the-beaten-path areas, if you stay on marked trails, they pose no real threat.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Sarajevo?

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

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.

Sarajevo is an extremely popular place for shoppers. This city offers a unique opportunity to shop for traditional hand-crafted good in the old town. The goods are handmade and reflect the city's long running history as a center for trade. Popular items for purchase include coffee sets, jewelry, and handmade carpets.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for Families?

Valletta is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Sarajevo doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Older kids will really benefit from the history and cultural lessons that coincide with a visit to this beautiful city. There are also some fun activities that they can enjoy including a zoo, an indoor play area, and an amusement park not far outside of town.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for Couples?

Valletta is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Sarajevo is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Romance isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sarajevo, but the city has amazing food and world class cultural sights that will make for a truly rewarding trip.

Is Valletta or Sarajevo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and Sarajevo are both very good 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 Sarajevo. This city is among the most culturally captivating places in Europe. Although it's often overlooked by tourists and backpackers, the affordability, stunning beauty, and unique personality make it a truly amazing place to visit.

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

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

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 Sarajevo a more walkable city?

Valletta is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Sarajevo is a somewhat walkable town. Most of the touristy areas in the central part of the city are walkable, but there are also some sights outside of town that you will need a taxi to visit.

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

Should I spend more time in Sarajevo or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Sarajevo?

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

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

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 city of Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo?

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.

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Sarajevo?

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.

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo?

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.

Sarajevo 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 Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Sarajevo, 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 Sarajevo?

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo in the Summer?

Both Sarajevo 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 travelers come to Sarajevo for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Valletta is generally around the same temperature as Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Sarajevo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

Both Sarajevo 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, many visitors come to Sarajevo in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Valletta is a little warmer than Sarajevo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Sarajevo. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valletta usually gets less rain in October than Sarajevo. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Sarajevo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Sarajevo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, most visitors come to Sarajevo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than Sarajevo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Valletta usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or Sarajevo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Sarajevo. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 14°C (58°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 Sarajevo. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Sarajevo. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Valletta