A Travel Price Comparison for France La Rochelle vs. Biarritz for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit La Rochelle or Biarritz?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Biarritz? 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 laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a cultural, relaxing, and quirky seaside town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Biarritz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Rochelle than Biarritz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Biarritz is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Biarritz is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port.

How is La Rochelle different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Biarritz 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 Biarritz?

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

La Rochelle is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, La Rochelle is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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 Biarritz is an experience not to be missed. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Is La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz 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 Biarritz for the nightlife scene. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

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 La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is great for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Biarritz is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

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

Biarritz is considered a top beach destination. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

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 La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is renowned for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Biarritz?

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

Biarritz is well-known for its shopping. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

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 La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Biarritz is very family-friendly. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

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.

Is La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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 Biarritz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

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

Biarritz 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 Biarritz. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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 La Rochelle or Biarritz Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Biarritz 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.

Biarritz has a few public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is La Rochelle or Biarritz a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Biarritz are high quality 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.

Biarritz is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Biarritz?

Both La Rochelle and Biarritz have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Biarritz than in La Rochelle. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

Families should spend more time in Biarritz than La Rochelle. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Biarritz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Biarritz. 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 Biarritz 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 Biarritz.

One day in La Rochelle or Biarritz?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing seaside town of Biarritz. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Biarritz?

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Biarritz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This seaside town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in La Rochelle or Biarritz?

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the dynamic seaside town of Biarritz. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in La Rochelle or Biarritz?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Biarritz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this seaside town.

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 Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Biarritz?

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

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 La Rochelle or Biarritz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Biarritz. The summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Biarritz in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Biarritz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Biarritz this time of the year. In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Biarritz. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Biarritz. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Biarritz averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Biarritz. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Biarritz. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Biarritz in the Winter?

Both Biarritz and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Biarritz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In January, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Biarritz. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and La Rochelle during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Biarritz in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Biarritz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Biarritz. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and La Rochelle