Comparison · Palermo vs Valletta · Italy / Malta
Palermo vs Valletta
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lasterketak, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Palermo for Arab-Norman architecture and Street food; choose Valletta for St John's Co-Cathedral and Caravaggio. Palermo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 267 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 267 km
- Less expensive
- Palermo
- Best time for Palermo
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Valletta
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Palermo | Valletta | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Malta |
| Known for | Arab-Norman architecture, Street food and Ballarò market | St John's Co-Cathedral, Caravaggio and Grand Harbour |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$200 | $130–$230 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 31°C (88°F) | August, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 15°C (59°F) | January, 16°C (61°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Mondello | Golden Bay |
| Airports | PMO, TPS | MLA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Palermo for…
Arab-Norman architecture and Street food. Palermo, Sicily's capital, has been ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish viceroys, and its centre shows every layer: the gold mosaics of the Palatine Chapel, Baroque squares such as the Quattro Canti and the Arab-era markets of Ballarò…
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Choose Valletta for…
St John's Co-Cathedral and Caravaggio. Valletta was built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565 on a narrow peninsula between the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. Its grid of steep limestone streets, about 1 km long and 600 metres wide, holds St John's Co-Cathedral with two…
Top sights compared
| # | Palermo | Valletta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palazzo dei Normanni and the Palatine Chapel | St John's Co-Cathedral |
| 2 | Palermo Cathedral | Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery |
| 3 | Monreale Cathedral and Cloister | Grandmaster's Palace |
| 4 | Quattro Canti | Fort St Elmo and National War Museum |
| 5 | Fontana Pretoria | Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell |
Food compared
| Palermo | Valletta |
|---|---|
| Arancine | Pastizzi |
| Pane e panelle | Ħobż biż-żejt |
| Pani ca' meusa | Ftira |
| Sfincione | Rabbit stew |
Which is cheaper?
Palermo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$200 per person there, against $130–$230 in Valletta (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Palermo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Palermo and Valletta are about 267 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Palermo and 4 in Valletta.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Palermo or Valletta cheaper?
Palermo is usually less expensive: about $110–$200 a day mid-range against $130–$230 (estimates).
+Is Palermo or Valletta better for a first trip?
Pick Palermo for Arab-Norman architecture and Street food, or Valletta for St John's Co-Cathedral and Caravaggio.
+How far is Palermo from Valletta?
About 267 km in a straight line.