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

Should you visit Athens 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 Athens 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.

Athens

Athens is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, nightlife, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Athens is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Athens is very popular for its historical sights. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Athens are world-renowned. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Athens or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and La Rochelle can be an enjoyable experience.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

For foodies, La Rochelle is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Is Athens or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Athens 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.

Athens is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

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 Athens or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens 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.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Athens and La Rochelle.

With a famous historical old-town, Athens offers plenty to see. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

The rich history of La Rochelle can be explored in its historical center. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Is Athens or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. However, Athens 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.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or La Rochelle?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and La Rochelle both offer plenty of good spots.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

La Rochelle is a great destination for 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 Athens or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Athens 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, Athens is very family-friendly. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

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 Athens or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

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

Athens 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, Athens is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

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 Athens or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Athens is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for students.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

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

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

Athens is great 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.

Public transit in Athens can get you to some places easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

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

Is Athens or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Athens and La Rochelle are superb when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Athens?

How long in Athens or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Athens due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Athens. 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 Athens 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or La Rochelle?

Athens is a historic 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.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or La Rochelle?

Athens is a ancient big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or La Rochelle?

Athens is a ancient 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or La Rochelle?

Athens 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 small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or La Rochelle?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or La Rochelle?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Athens is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Athens is much warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than La Rochelle. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Athens