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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Bergamo?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bergamo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a beautiful, under-rated, and historical city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Bergamo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Bergamo. While Bergamo is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Bergamo is more popular for its impressive beauty. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port. Bergamo is well known for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

How is La Rochelle different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Rochelle can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Bergamo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both La Rochelle and Bergamo.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Bergamo is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Bergamo is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its old town. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Bergamo has an old town worth visiting. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Bergamo?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Bergamo both offer plenty of notable spots.

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.

Many visitors go to Bergamo to go shopping. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Bergamo is a good coastal town for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Bergamo are notable places to visit.

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.

Bergamo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo Better for Students?

For students, both La Rochelle and Bergamo are notable places to visit.

It's common for students to 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.

Bergamo is a good coastal town to visit for students. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

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

La Rochelle and Bergamo both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While La Rochelle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Bergamo has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is La Rochelle or Bergamo a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Bergamo are very good when it comes to walkability.

La Rochelle is a very walkable coastal town. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

Bergamo is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Rochelle and Bergamo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Rochelle than in Bergamo. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bergamo.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Bergamo. 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 Bergamo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Rochelle that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Bergamo 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 La Rochelle or Bergamo?

La Rochelle is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Bergamo. 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.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Bergamo?

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Rochelle has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Bergamo. 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.

Five days in La Rochelle or Bergamo?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The fascinating city of Bergamo 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.

A week in La Rochelle or Bergamo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rochelle and Bergamo, we can see that Bergamo 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 Bergamo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergamo 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 La Rochelle Expensive? and Is Bergamo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Bergamo?

Bergamo has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Bergamo, 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 La Rochelle or Bergamo?

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 La Rochelle or Bergamo in the Summer?

Both Bergamo and La Rochelle during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bergamo in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

La Rochelle is cooler than Bergamo in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Bergamo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bergamo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Bergamo. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bergamo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Bergamo. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Bergamo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Bergamo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Bergamo averages at about 14°C (57°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bergamo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Bergamo. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bergamo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Bergamo. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bergamo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bergamo can be very cold. In January, La Rochelle is generally much warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Bergamo. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Bergamo. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bergamo in the Spring?

Both Bergamo and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bergamo this time of year.

La Rochelle is cooler than Bergamo in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Bergamo fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Bergamo during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Bergamo. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and La Rochelle