A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coimbra vs. La Rochelle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or La Rochelle?

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

Should I visit Coimbra 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.

Where Should I go: Coimbra or La Rochelle?

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a lovely French city in the province of Charente-Maritime. It's located in western France and is a seaport on the Bay of Biscay. Most people who visit the city enjoy exploring the "Vieux Port" or Old Harbour area. This area is the heart of the city and it is a beautiful neighborhood that has many seafood restaurants and nice architecture. It's particularly enjoyable to walk around during the evening hours. Ile de Re is connected to the city by a bridge and is also a nice place to visit. If you head out of town, the surrounding countryside is very rural. North of the city is Venise Verte, which is very marshy and has many small canals. It's a popular area for inland boating.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, La Rochelle or Coimbra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in La Rochelle is €114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coimbra and La Rochelle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    La Rochelle 67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    La Rochelle 134
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and La Rochelle

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or La Rochelle? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Coimbra


Hotels in La Rochelle


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and La Rochelle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    La Rochelle 17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Rochelle

Also for La Rochelle, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from La Rochelle Port to Nantes Airport (NTE): $88
  • Private Transfer from La Rochelle Cruise Port to Nantes Hotels: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or La Rochelle?

Prices for flights to both La Rochelle and Coimbra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Coimbra 48
    La Rochelle 34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    La Rochelle 13

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra : $199
  • A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $120
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $70
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $76
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $131
  • Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $76
  • Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $134
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $254
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $44
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99

Tours and Activities in La Rochelle

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for La Rochelle.

  • 3 Hour La Rochelle Private Tour: $90
  • 1.5 Hour Guided Tour in Poitiers: $98
  • Discover Discovery Walking Tour of La Rochelle: $44
  • Guided tour of La Rochelle The splendor of merchants in the 18th century: $22
  • La Rochelle "The Heritage" Segway Tour - 1h30: $59
  • La Rochelle : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • La Rochelle : Private Custom Private Walking Tour With a local: $60
  • La Rochelle : Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $50
  • La Rochelle Grand Format Segway Tour: $87
  • La Rochelle Heritage Segway Tour: $60
  • La Rochelle Lighthouse at the end of the world Segway Tour: $44
  • La Rochelle Seaside Segway Tour: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    La Rochelle 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27


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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or La Rochelle?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra 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 Coimbra 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 Coimbra or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and La Rochelle. 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, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°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 Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    La Rochelle 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as La Rochelle. Additionally, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Coimbra is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    La Rochelle 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or La Rochelle in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    La Rochelle 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    La Rochelle 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Coimbra

Coimbra La Rochelle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 14°C (58°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 10°C (51°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)