A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. Valletta for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Wellington or Valletta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Wellington or Valletta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Wellington and Valletta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Valletta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Valletta. Although Wellington and Valletta are both popular with visitors, Valletta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Valletta is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Wellington is more touristy than Valletta and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. It is also home to The Grand Masters Palace.

How is Wellington different from Valletta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Valletta and Wellington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wellington or Valletta?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Wellington or Valletta Better for Nightlife?

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

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington or Valletta Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a very popular place for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

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.

Is Wellington or Valletta Better for its Old Town?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Wellington does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Valletta can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Valletta Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Valletta?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Wellington and Valletta.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Wellington or Valletta Better for Families?

Wellington is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Valletta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Wellington. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington or Valletta Better for Couples?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Wellington or Valletta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington and Valletta are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Valletta is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Wellington or Valletta Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Wellington 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 Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington or Valletta a more walkable city?

Valletta is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Valletta or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Valletta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wellington and Valletta. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Wellington than Valletta. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Valletta.

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

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than Wellington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Valletta that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington than Valletta 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 Wellington.

One day in Wellington or Valletta?

The city of Wellington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the cultural town of Valletta, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Valletta, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wellington or Valletta?

Wellington 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wellington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Valletta, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Wellington or Valletta?

Wellington 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.

Valletta, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Valletta?

Wellington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, 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.

Valletta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Valletta, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Valletta is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Valletta?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Valletta, 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 Wellington or Valletta?

Wellington 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 Wellington or Valletta in the Summer?

Both Valletta and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Wellington is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Valletta averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Valletta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives more rain than Vallettain July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or Valletta in the Autumn?

Both Valletta and Wellington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In April, Wellington is generally cooler than Vallettain October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Vallettain October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Vallettain October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Valletta in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Valletta. The winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Wellington is cooler than Valletta in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in January.

Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Vallettain January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or Valletta in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Valletta. The beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

In the spring, Wellington is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Valletta averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Vallettain April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Vallettain April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valletta and Wellington