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

Should you visit Cologne or La Rochelle?

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

Should I visit Cologne 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.

Cologne

Cologne is a accessible, vibrant, and colorful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Cologne and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cologne is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is known for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Cologne is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cologne or La Rochelle.

Cologne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Cologne 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 Cologne for the nightlife scene. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

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 Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

Is Cologne or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Is Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne 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.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or La Rochelle?

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

Cologne is well-known for its shopping. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

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 Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Christmas?

Cologne is very popular for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, La Rochelle does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, Cologne is a top place to visit during Christmas. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

La Rochelle does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is very popular for visiting Christmas markets. However, La Rochelle does not offer Christmas markets.

Cologne has some of the best Christmas markets in the world. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

La Rochelle does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Cologne 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, Cologne is very family-friendly. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

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 Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

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

Cologne and La Rochelle are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly 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.

Is Cologne or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Cologne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

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

Cologne is very popular 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.

Cologne has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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

Is Cologne or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Cologne and La Rochelle both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or La Rochelle?

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

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

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

Cologne is a accessible city where you can fill many days. 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 Cologne or La Rochelle?

Cologne is a accessible big city where you can fill many days. 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 Cologne or La Rochelle?

The colorful city of Cologne offers shopping 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 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 Cologne or La Rochelle?

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or La Rochelle?

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

Both La Rochelle and Cologne during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, 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, Cologne is generally around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and La Rochelle. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Cologne is cooler than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cologne or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cologne as well as La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cologne. In the winter, Cologne is much colder than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In April, Cologne is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 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 Cologne