A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. La Rochelle for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Aalborg or La Rochelle?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and La Rochelle. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a charming, local, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Aalborg and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Aalborg. While Aalborg is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Aalborg attracts visitors for its nightlife. Aalborg is famous for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Aalborg different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around La Rochelle. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

Aalborg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Aalborg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is great for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Aalborg for the nightlife scene. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its beaches. However, Aalborg is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle offers a nice beach destination. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Aalborg is not a beach destination.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Aalborg. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Aalborg is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Aalborg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Shopping is a popular activity in both La Rochelle and Aalborg.

Aalborg is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting La Rochelle. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Aalborg and La Rochelle are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aalborg. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

La Rochelle offers lots of family activities. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is renowned for romance. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Aalborg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg and La Rochelle are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit La Rochelle. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Aalborg and La Rochelle are nice places to visit for students.

Aalborg is popular with students. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

It's common for students to visit La Rochelle. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aalborg and La Rochelle.

You'll find some public transit in Aalborg, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system around town.

While La Rochelle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Aalborg or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

La Rochelle is very walkable. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Aalborg 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 La Rochelle.

One day in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Aalborg. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the local destination of Aalborg. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Rochelle has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

The historic town of Aalborg offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aalborg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aalborg and La Rochelle, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. And not only is La Rochelle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Rochelle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Rochelle 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 Aalborg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aalborg than you might in La Rochelle.

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Aalborg has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and La Rochelle, 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 Aalborg or La Rochelle?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aalborg or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Aalborg during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Aalborg is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aalborg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

Aalborg usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Aalborg is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 9°C (48°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Aalborg usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aalborg or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Aalborg can get quite cold in the winter. Aalborg is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Aalborg is much colder than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aalborg in April average around 6°C (43°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In April, Aalborg usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Aalborg