Tallinn vs Valletta

Tallinn

Tallinn has a humid continental climate moderated by its Gulf of Finland coastline. Summers are mild and pleasantly long with up to 18 hours of daylight in June. Winters are cold, dark, and occasionally dramatic — the sea can partially freeze and the Old Town under snow is spectacular but icy. The transitional seasons are short. Northern lights are visible on clear nights from November through March.

Valletta

Valletta has a classic Mediterranean climate — long, hot, dry summers and short, mild, rainy winters. The city sits on an exposed peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, which moderates temperatures but also means the wind can be relentless. Malta averages around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, one of the highest totals in Europe.

Tallinn

Tallinn has excellent public transport covering the whole city by tram, trolleybus, and bus. Public transport is completely free for registered residents — one of only a handful of cities in the world to have made this permanent policy since 2013. Tourists pay, but fares are very cheap. The Old Town is entirely walkable. Bolt (founded in Tallinn) makes taxis among the cheapest and most transparent in Europe.

Walkability: The Old Town and adjacent districts are highly walkable on flat ground, though Toompea Hill involves a moderate climb. Cobblestones in the Old Town can be tough with luggage — rolling bags struggle. Winter icing significantly affects walkability. Overall the city is compact and pedestrian-friendly for its size.

Valletta

Valletta itself is entirely walkable — the whole peninsula is well under 1 km long and cars are largely banned inside the walls. For the rest of the island, Malta Public Transport runs an efficient and cheap bus network radiating out from the Valletta terminus just outside the City Gate. Ferries, water taxis, and taxis fill the gaps.

Walkability: Valletta itself is perfectly walkable — the whole old city fits within a 0.8 km² fortified grid. However the cross streets running down to the bastions are extremely steep and stepped in places, which is physically harder than the gentle distances suggest. Comfortable shoes with grip are essential, especially on the limestone paving.