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

Should you visit Valletta or Siena?

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 Siena 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or Siena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than Siena, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, food, beaches, and shopping, while Siena is more popular for its impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Valletta and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Valletta is well known for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. Also, Valletta is famous for The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Valletta different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Valletta that are not to be missed. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Valletta is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Valletta has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Siena.

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.

Siena has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for its beaches. However, Siena is not a beach destination.

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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and Siena have amazing 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 Siena is one of the most recognized in the world. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Siena?

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

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for Families?

Valletta is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Valletta is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for Couples?

Both Valletta and Siena are amazing destinations for a couple's getaway.

Valletta is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta is notable for backpackers. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Valletta or Siena Better for Students?

Siena 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 Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Valletta and Siena.

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 Siena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Valletta or Siena a more walkable city?

Valletta is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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.

Siena is a very walkable town. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Siena?

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

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

In Valletta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural 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 Siena 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.

A weekend in Valletta or Siena?

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.

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

Five days in Valletta or Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront 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.

Siena 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 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Valletta and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Siena?

Siena has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Siena, 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 Siena?

Siena 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 Siena in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Valletta is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Siena. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Siena. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Siena because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Siena. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Siena during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Siena. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Valletta is much warmer than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Siena. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Siena. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Siena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Siena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Siena for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Valletta is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Siena during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Siena. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Valletta