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

Should you visit Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

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.

Heraklion and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or La Rochelle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Heraklion than La Rochelle. Heraklion is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Heraklion is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while La Rochelle is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Heraklion is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Heraklion different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Heraklion and La Rochelle.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Heraklion. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Dining out in Heraklion is an experience not to be missed. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

Is Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion 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 Heraklion for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

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 Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for the beache. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the beach.

Heraklion is considered a top beach destination. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic 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.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or La Rochelle?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Heraklion and La Rochelle.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Heraklion. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

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 Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and La Rochelle are notable to visit with kids.

Heraklion is a family-friendly city. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Rochelle. 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 Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Heraklion 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 Heraklion frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

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

Heraklion 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 Heraklion. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

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 Heraklion or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

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.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

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

Heraklion has some public transit options. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

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 Heraklion or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Heraklion and La Rochelle are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Heraklion is a very walkable city. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or La Rochelle?

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

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Heraklion. 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 Heraklion. 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion.

One day in Heraklion or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Heraklion. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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. 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 Heraklion or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Heraklion. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Heraklion or La Rochelle?

The historic city of Heraklion offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 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 Heraklion or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Heraklion. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, 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 Heraklion and La Rochelle, we can see that Heraklion 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or La Rochelle?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, 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.

Heraklion is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°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. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Heraklion 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 the autumn, Heraklion is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as La Rochelle. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heraklion 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.

In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or La Rochelle in the Spring?

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

Heraklion is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than La Rochelle. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 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 Heraklion