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

Should you visit Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or La Rochelle, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing 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.

Amsterdam and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than La Rochelle. Amsterdam is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Amsterdam is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Amsterdam different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Amsterdam and La Rochelle.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

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

Amsterdam is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

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 Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Music?

Amsterdam is very popular for its live music scene. However, La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

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.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, La Rochelle offers plenty to see. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Is Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

Amsterdam is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Amsterdam is well-known for its shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors go to La Rochelle to go shopping. 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 Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Rochelle. 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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

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

Amsterdam is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Amsterdam is extremely popular for backpackers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Amsterdam or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Amsterdam has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Amsterdam or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its ease of walking around.

Amsterdam is a very easy city to get around on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Amsterdam or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Amsterdam due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Amsterdam. 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 Amsterdam. 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 Amsterdam than La Rochelle 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

Amsterdam is a scenic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

Amsterdam is a scenic big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

Amsterdam is a historic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

Amsterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, 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 Amsterdam and La Rochelle, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or La Rochelle?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Amsterdam is cooler than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°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 Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as La Rochelle. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

Amsterdam is cooler than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 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 Amsterdam