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

Should you visit Belfast or La Rochelle?

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

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

Belfast

Belfast is a under-rated, authentic, and affordable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife and shopping.

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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Belfast and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Belfast. While Belfast 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 Belfast attracts visitors for its big city activities. Belfast is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Belfast different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Both Belfast and La Rochelle are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

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 Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Belfast or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

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

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or La Rochelle?

Both Belfast and La Rochelle are nice shopping destinations.

Belfast is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

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 Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Belfast and La Rochelle are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly city. 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 Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

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

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Belfast and La Rochelle are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Belfast is a good city to visit for students. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Plenty of students 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 Belfast or La Rochelle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Belfast 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 Belfast, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Belfast. 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 Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the affordable city of Belfast. 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.

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 Belfast or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the under-rated destination of Belfast. 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 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 Belfast or La Rochelle?

The affordable city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Belfast or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Belfast. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, 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 Belfast and La Rochelle, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or La Rochelle?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Belfast as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Belfast in the summer for the city activities 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.

In the summer, Belfast is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belfast in July average around 15°C (59°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene 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 October, Belfast is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 9°C (48°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Belfast during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Belfast because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

The weather in Belfast can be very cold. Belfast is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Rochelle. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and La Rochelle. The activities around the city are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Belfast is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belfast in April average around 8°C (46°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

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

In April, Belfast usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Belfast gets 50 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 Belfast