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

Should you visit Valletta or Urbino?

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 Urbino 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.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular old town
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Valletta or Urbino?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valletta. Although Valletta and Urbino are popular destinations, Valletta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valletta is famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also well known for The Grand Masters Palace. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Valletta different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.


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

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Valletta or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Valletta
Urbino

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and Urbino.

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.

Urbino has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Valletta or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is adequate for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

The beach in Valletta is worth checking out. 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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.


Is Valletta or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or Urbino?

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is great for its shopping areas. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is a great destination for shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Valletta or Urbino Better for Families?

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Valletta offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.


Is Valletta or Urbino Better for Couples?

Valletta
Urbino

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

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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Valletta or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Valletta or Urbino Better for Students?

Valletta
Urbino

Urbino 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 Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Valletta is not popular with students.


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

Valletta
Urbino

Valletta is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Valletta offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Valletta or Urbino a more walkable city?

Valletta
Urbino

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

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or Urbino?

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

Families should spend more time in Valletta than Urbino. 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 Urbino. 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 Urbino 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.


  • How many days in Valletta or Urbino? Ideal Length of Stay
    Valletta 1-3 
    Urbino 1-2

One day in Valletta or Urbino?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The beautiful town of Urbino offers food and shopping. 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 Urbino?

Valletta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Urbino 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Urbino, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or Urbino?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valletta. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Urbino 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Valletta. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Urbino is a great place to explore. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Urbino or Valletta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Valletta is €116, while the average daily cost in Urbino is €118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Valletta and Urbino in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valletta 65
    Urbino 53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valletta 130
    Urbino 106
Compare Hotels in Valletta and Urbino

Looking for a hotel in Valletta or Urbino? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Valletta


Hotels in Urbino


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Valletta Hotel Prices and Urbino Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Valletta 24
    Urbino 44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta

Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Private Malta Highlights Tour with Transfer: $150
  • Private Airport Transfer from Malta to Gozo: $109
  • Airport Transfers (Private Group up to 15 people): $103
  • From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $87
  • Private Airport Transfer in Malta: $87
  • Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers: $81
  • Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $81
  • Mdina and Highlights of Malta Full Day Guided Tour Incl. Lunch and Transfers: $66
  • Malta Airport Private Transfers: $66
  • Malta Private Transfer from Malta Airport to any resort in Malta island: $51
  • Arrival Transfer: Malta Airport MLA to Malta Island by Van: $49
  • Malta Airport (MLA) Departure Transfer (Saint Julian's Hotels to Malta Airport): $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Urbino

Also for Urbino, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Borgo Maggiore to Rimini (RMI) Airport: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Valletta or Urbino?

Prices for flights to both Urbino and Valletta change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Valletta 32
    Urbino 39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta

For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
  • Valletta Food Tour: $49
  • Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
  • Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
  • Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $76
  • The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $80
  • Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $80
  • Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $86
  • Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $91
  • From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
  • The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
  • Private Valletta Food Tour: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valletta 27
    Urbino 15

Tours and Activities in Valletta

For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Cities Tour: $16
  • 3 Hours Private Picnic Experience in Malta: $273
  • 3 cities: Private Insider Walking Tour with Licensed Guide: $160
  • 30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
  • 4-hr day tour around Malta: $207
  • 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Pass Bus + Harbour Cruise: $55
  • 90 minutes Harbour Cruise in Valletta - ticket only: $22
  • A Monumental Maltese Experience: $175
  • Adventures in Malta: Thrills, History, and Natural Beauty: $320
  • Best of Mdina and Rabat Walking Tour: $20
  • Best of Valletta Walking Tour: $20
  • Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk Half-Day Tour from Valletta: $37

Tours and Activities in Urbino

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Urbino.

  • E-BIKE Tour San Marino for couples: $114
  • Entrance Ticket - Titanus Museum: Multimedia Experience: $8.68
  • From Montefeltro Tour with Truffle Lunch: $396
  • Guided Tour of San Marino at Sunset with aperitif included: $184
  • Guided group tour of Ducal Palace and National Gallery: $94
  • Private Guided Tour with Aperitif in Winebar in San Marino: $92
  • Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site: $172
  • Private tour with Welcome KIT in San Marino: $136
  • San Marino Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Tour: $8.97
  • San Marino’s Starlit Stroll: A Christmas Walking Tour: $153
  • San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • San Marino: Food Tasting Tour: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Valletta 16
    Urbino 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:

  • Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
  • Malta Pub Crawl: $22
  • The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
  • The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
  • Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44


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


Which is Bigger, Valletta or Urbino?

Urbino has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

Urbino 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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Urbino. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

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

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than Urbino. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Valletta 26°C (79°F) 
    Urbino 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Valletta or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Urbino. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Valletta is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Urbino averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Urbino. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Valletta 21°C (70°F) 
    Urbino 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Valletta or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino 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 visitors come to Urbino in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Urbino can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Valletta is generally much warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than Urbino. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Valletta 13°C (55°F) 
    Urbino 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Valletta or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Urbino for the natural beauty during these months.

Valletta is a little warmer than Urbino in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than Urbino. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Valletta 16°C (61°F) 
    Urbino 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Urbino and Valletta

Valletta Urbino
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)


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