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

Should you visit Valletta or York?

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 York 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.

York

York is a fanciful, historic, and medieval city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Valletta and York: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or York?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valletta than York, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valletta is better known for its museums, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while York is more popular for its nightlife. York is more touristy than Valletta and is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. 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 York?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valletta is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, York 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.

Many visitors head to York specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

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

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

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 York, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

Is Valletta or York Better for Nightlife?

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

York has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

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 York Better for Beaches?

Valletta is a moderate town for its beaches. However, York 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.

York is not a beach destination.

Is Valletta or York Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and York 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 York is one of the most recognized in the world. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or York?

Valletta is a well-known place for shopping. Also, York 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 York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is Valletta or York Better for Families?

York is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

York is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

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 York Better for Couples?

Valletta is a world-class destination for romance. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

York makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

Is Valletta or York Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valletta and York 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 York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

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

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

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 York, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

Is Valletta or York a more walkable city?

Valletta is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, York 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.

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

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

Should I spend more time in York or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or York?

It's fun to spend time in either Valletta or York. Generally, people tend to spend more time in York due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Valletta, and 2-4 days is enough time in York.

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

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than York. 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 York 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 York?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Valletta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The city of York offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Valletta or York?

Valletta is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Valletta or York?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Valletta. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

York is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 York?

The waterfront town of Valletta offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

York is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or York?

York has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and York, 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 York?

York 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 York in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Valletta as well as York. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to York in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Valletta is much warmer than York. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and York averages at about 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than York. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 196 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than York. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while York receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or York in the Autumn?

Both York 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, most visitors come to York for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Valletta is generally much warmer than York. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and York fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than York during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valletta usually receives more rain than York. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valletta or York in the Winter?

Both York 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to York because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in York can be very cold. Valletta is much warmer than York in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and York fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than York. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 61 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in January than York. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while York receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or York in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and York. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In the spring, Valletta is much warmer than York. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and York averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than York during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than York. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for York and Valletta