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

Should you visit Geneva or La Rochelle?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and La Rochelle. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international 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 relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Geneva and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or La Rochelle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva than La Rochelle. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Geneva is very popular for its shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle attracts visitors for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Geneva different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Geneva and La Rochelle have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

La Rochelle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Geneva or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Geneva or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or La Rochelle has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities La Rochelle has a few options to choose from. 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 Geneva or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Geneva or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is Geneva or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or La Rochelle?

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

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

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 Geneva or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Geneva and La Rochelle are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

La Rochelle offers lots of family activities. 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 Geneva or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

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

La Rochelle is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit La Rochelle. 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

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

Geneva 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.

Geneva has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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

Is Geneva or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Geneva and La Rochelle both are superb when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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 Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or La Rochelle?

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

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

Geneva is a professional city where you can fill many days. Most people visit for the shopping. 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 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 Geneva or La Rochelle?

Geneva is a international 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 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 Geneva or La Rochelle?

The international city of Geneva 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 Geneva or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Geneva. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the shopping. 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, 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 Geneva and La Rochelle, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or La Rochelle?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Geneva is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or La Rochelle in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 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 Geneva