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

Should you visit Birmingham 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 Birmingham and La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Birmingham and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or La Rochelle?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Birmingham different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Birmingham or La Rochelle.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

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 Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its theatre productions. However, La Rochelle is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

La Rochelle is not a theatre destination.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

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 Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Music?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. 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.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for hiking. However, Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or La Rochelle?

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

Birmingham is well-known for its shopping. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Birmingham 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, Birmingham is very family-friendly. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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 Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for romance. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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

La Rochelle is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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

Birmingham and La Rochelle both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

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

Is Birmingham or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Birmingham and La Rochelle are great when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

La Rochelle is a very walkable city. 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 Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Birmingham or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Birmingham due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun-filled city of Birmingham. Most people visit for the live music. 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Birmingham. 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.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Birmingham or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic city of Birmingham. 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, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Birmingham. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the live music. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in 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 Birmingham and La Rochelle, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or La Rochelle?

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

Both La Rochelle and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene 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.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music 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 October, Birmingham is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and La Rochelle. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. Birmingham is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as La Rochelle. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Birmingham is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 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 Birmingham