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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Galway and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Rochelle. Although Galway and La Rochelle are roughly the same size, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Galway attracts visitors for its nightlife and big city activities. La Rochelle is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into La Rochelle. 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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Galway 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 Galway for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Galway or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is Galway or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or La Rochelle?

Both Galway and La Rochelle are nice shopping destinations.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting La Rochelle. 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 Galway or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Galway and La Rochelle are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly city. 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 Galway or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

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

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

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other 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 Galway or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Galway and La Rochelle are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Galway is a good city to visit for students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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.

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

Both Galway and La Rochelle offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

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

Is Galway or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Galway and La Rochelle both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and 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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Galway?

How long in Galway or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Galway 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, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Galway. 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.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Galway or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the lively destination of Galway. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or La Rochelle?

The cultural city of Galway 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or La Rochelle?

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

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, 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.

Galway is cooler than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than La Rochelle. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and La Rochelle. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

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

Galway usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 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 Galway