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

Should you visit Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and La Rochelle can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and theater.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Edinburgh and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than La Rochelle. Edinburgh is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Rochelle is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Edinburgh is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Edinburgh different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Theater?

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

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

La Rochelle is not a theatre destination.

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

La Rochelle is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in La Rochelle have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh for the nightlife scene. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Music?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Rochelle. 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.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

Both Edinburgh and La Rochelle have terrific historic old towns worth visiting.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Is Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

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

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Edinburgh 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, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

La Rochelle is a great coastal town for couples, as it 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.

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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

Edinburgh is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and La Rochelle.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its ease of walking around.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh than La Rochelle 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the gothic city of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the charming destination of Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the ancient city of Edinburgh. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Edinburgh. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and La Rochelle, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or La Rochelle?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, 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. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is much colder than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as La Rochelle. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

Edinburgh is much colder than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than La Rochelle. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 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 Edinburgh