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

Should you visit Basel or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel 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.

Basel

Basel is a vibrant, historic, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Basel and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Basel. While Basel is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is better known for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Basel is more popular for its shopping and impressive beauty. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town. 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 Basel different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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 Basel or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Basel and La Rochelle.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Basel or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel 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.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of La Rochelle is revered around the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Is Basel or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel 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.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or La Rochelle?

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

Basel is well-known for its shopping. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

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 Basel or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Basel 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, Basel is very family-friendly. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

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 Basel or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

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

Both Basel and La Rochelle are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

La Rochelle is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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 Basel or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Basel is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

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

Basel 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 Basel can get you to some places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Basel or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Basel 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.

Basel is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible 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 Basel Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Basel?

How long in Basel or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel 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, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

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

One day in Basel or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Basel. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or La Rochelle?

The museum-filled city of Basel offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or La Rochelle?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Basel is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping 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, Basel is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Basel gets 70 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 Basel or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Basel 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 Basel can be very cold. In January, Basel is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Rochelle. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and La Rochelle. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

Basel is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 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 Basel