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

Should you visit Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

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

Should I visit Cape Sounion or La Rochelle? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is a iconic, impressive, and spectacular destination. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, museums, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Cape Sounion and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle. Although Cape Sounion and La Rochelle are both popular with visitors, La Rochelle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Rochelle is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Cape Sounion is known for its museums and impressive beauty. Cape Sounion is popular for its link to Greek mythology and its stunningly beautiful sunsets. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port.

How is Cape Sounion different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion are world-renowned. The Temple of Poseidon is the main attraction here, but also nearby you'll find the Temple of Athena. The views, history, and connection to mythology fascinates most visitors who consider this to be a spectacular sight.

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 Cape Sounion or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Cape Sounion offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are cafes as well as fine dining restaurants which are mostly located in hotels. Seafood is the cuisine of choice with many delicious Greek dishes available.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Cape Sounion is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Cape Sounion is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some bars and lounges that are connected to hotels. If you're spending the night, these are nice places to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Cape Sounion and La Rochelle are good choices.

Cape Sounion is a good option for a beach vacation. If you allow enough time, there are a couple of beaches where you can swim while enjoying views of the temple.

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.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle has a world-famous historical area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Cape Sounion is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Cape Sounion is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

La Rochelle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cape Sounion or La Rochelle.

Cape Sounion is a family-friendly destination. Kids who like mythology will appreciated a trip to the famed Temple of Poseidon. It dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Also nearby is the Temple of Athena.

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.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is very popular for couples. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Cape Sounion is a nice destination for couples. Couples should definitely stay for the stunning sunset which provides dramatic oranges, pinks, and reds at the sun dips below the horizon.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cape Sounion and La Rochelle are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon is an iconic site about an hour and a half outside of Athens. It appeals to all types of travelers, including backpackers and budget travelers.

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 Cape Sounion or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cape Sounion is not popular with students.

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.

Cape Sounion is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Cape Sounion and La Rochelle.

Cape Sounion has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel from Athens to Cape Sounion and take between 2 and 3 hours.

You'll find some public transit in La Rochelle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Cape Sounion or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Cape Sounion is somewhat walkable. You can walk around the archeological site and the bus stops close enough that it is accessible.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Cape Sounion?

How long in Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the impressive destination of Cape Sounion. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this destination has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the spectacular destination of Cape Sounion. This destination 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 fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

The impressive destination of Cape Sounion offers food and museums. 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 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. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

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

La Rochelle is a popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, 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 Cape Sounion and La Rochelle, we can see that Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and La Rochelle. The summer months attract visitors to Cape Sounion because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as La Rochelle. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cape Sounion this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Sounion this time of the year. In the autumn, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Cape Sounion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

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

In January, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Cape Sounion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Cape Sounion. In the spring, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in April than La Rochelle. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion