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

Should you visit Ghent 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 Ghent 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a youthful, high energy, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

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

Ghent and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Ghent. While Ghent is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Ghent attracts visitors for its nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Ghent different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Ghent or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Ghent is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its beaches. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The historic old town of La Rochelle is revered around the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Is Ghent or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or La Rochelle?

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

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

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 Ghent or La Rochelle Better for Families?

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

Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

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 Ghent or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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

Both Ghent and La Rochelle are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Ghent or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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

Ghent 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.

Ghent has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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

Is Ghent or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

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

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or La Rochelle?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Ghent or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Ghent. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or La Rochelle?

The under-rated city of Ghent offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or La Rochelle?

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

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or La Rochelle?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as La Rochelle. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Ghent 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 Ghent or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Ghent is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 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 Ghent