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

Should you visit Alicante or La Rochelle?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a authentic, vibrant, and cultural city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Alicante. While Alicante is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port.

How is Alicante different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Alicante and La Rochelle.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Rochelle can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

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

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Alicante has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Is Alicante or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Alicante and La Rochelle.

Alicante has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

If you're looking for night time activities La Rochelle has a few options to choose from. 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 Alicante or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Alicante and La Rochelle are notable choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Is Alicante or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is terrific for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

La Rochelle has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Alicante has an old town worth visiting. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Is Alicante or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting La Rochelle. 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.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or La Rochelle?

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

Alicante offers some nice shopping areas. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

La Rochelle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Alicante or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Alicante is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Alicante is very family-friendly. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Alicante or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, La Rochelle has plenty to offer. 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.

Alicante is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

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

Alicante and La Rochelle are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alicante is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Alicante or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Alicante and La Rochelle are notable places to visit for students.

Alicante is popular with students. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

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 Alicante 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 Alicante and La Rochelle.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

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 Alicante or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Alicante or La Rochelle. In our opinion, La Rochelle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Rochelle than Alicante. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Alicante. 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 Alicante 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 Alicante or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Alicante. 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 where visitors enjoy the 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 Alicante or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Alicante. This city 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 is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town 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 La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or La Rochelle?

The cultural city of Alicante 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 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 Alicante or La Rochelle?

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

La Rochelle 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 coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Alicante and La Rochelle, we can see that Alicante 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 Alicante Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or La Rochelle?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Alicante 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 Alicante 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 Alicante or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Alicante during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Alicante is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than La Rochelle. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and La Rochelle. The autumn months attract visitors to Alicante because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the autumn, Alicante is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Alicante 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 Alicante or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alicante as well as La Rochelle. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

Alicante is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 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 Alicante