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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dubrovnik? 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a charming, famous, and cultural coastal town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

La Rochelle and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubrovnik. Although La Rochelle and Dubrovnik are both popular with visitors, Dubrovnik has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubrovnik is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Rochelle is known for its small town charm. Dubrovnik is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its well-preserved medieval old town that is surrounded by stone walls and has been the production sight for many major movies and television shows. It is also home to The Old Town Walls. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is La Rochelle different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Many visitors head to Dubrovnik specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is a living museum that is filled with historic landmarks like the old town walls, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury, and Loggia Square.

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

Both La Rochelle and Dubrovnik offer first-rate local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Dubrovnik has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Restaurants are usually locally-sourced with fresh produce and seafood. Traditional local dishes include black risotto (made with squid ink), pašticada (a beef dish), and various pasta dishes.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both La Rochelle and Dubrovnik.

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 Dubrovnik. There are many bars around town that take advantage of the unique architecture of the city. There are far less clubs, but for a drink in a laid back setting, you'll find plenty of options.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

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

Dubrovnik is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The old town is the most famous and charming part of the city, but you'll find most of the resorts spanning the coastline outside of town. Inside the old town there are a few boutique hotels and a number of rooms available for rent, but make sure you book early during peak seasons. For a resort, look outside of the old town with popular options including Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the Hilton Imperial, and Rixos Premium.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Dubrovnik. On clear days, snorkeling can be a fun activity, but the weather and visibility can vary so conditions are unpredictable. Buža is a popular snorkeling spot in town, but you can also organize tours to other areas.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both La Rochelle and Dubrovnik are good choices.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people head to Dubrovnik to enjoy the beach. The old town is the main appeal of the area, but there are several beaches that are nice for taking a swim or sunbathing. They are often pebbly, but the water is blue and the views are beautiful.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the first-rate old towns in both La Rochelle and Dubrovnik.

La Rochelle has a world-famous historical area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

The historic old town of Dubrovnik is revered around the world. This walled old town is among the most famous in Europe. It's sits beautifully along the coast and it is pedestrian only. You can spend plenty of time exploring the historic lanes, popping in shops and restaurants, and soaking up the charming atmosphere.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is great for hiking. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that take you along the dramatic coastal. The paths offer spectacular views back towards town or along the water.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Dubrovnik both offer plenty of good 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 Dubrovnik to go shopping. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Dubrovnik 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, Dubrovnik is very family-friendly. The city has nice beaches, beautiful hikes, and historic city walls that are fun to explore with kids. The food is also kid-friendly and the locals love meeting children.

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 Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Dubrovnik make for a first-rate place to visit.

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.

For those traveling as a couple, Dubrovnik has plenty to offer. With its beautiful old town, nice beaches, and laid back atmosphere, this makes the perfect couple's getaway destination. Pop in a local restaurant and try the seafood before exploring the charming squares and historic buildings.

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

Dubrovnik is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Dubrovnik is extremely popular for backpackers. It's not hard to find a room in a local's home near old town at an affordable price. The food is delicious and affordable as well, and you'll find plenty of other backpackers in town to hang out with.

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 Dubrovnik Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

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.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Dubrovnik both offer good 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.

Dubrovnik has a few public transit options. There are 12 bus lines that connect all parts of the city with the city center.

Is La Rochelle or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its ease of walking around.

Dubrovnik is a very easy coastal town to get around on foot. The old town is completely pedestrian-only and you can also explore the city's historic walls on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

In either La Rochelle or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubrovnik than La Rochelle because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik.

One day in La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural coastal town of Dubrovnik. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the food. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Dubrovnik. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal town 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 Dubrovnik?

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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal coastal town of Dubrovnik. 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 Dubrovnik?

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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dubrovnik. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the food. 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 Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rochelle and Dubrovnik, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. And not only is Dubrovnik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dubrovnik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dubrovnik 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 La Rochelle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Rochelle than you might in Dubrovnik.

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 Dubrovnik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Dubrovnik?

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

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 Dubrovnik in the Summer?

Both Dubrovnik and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Dubrovnik. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In July, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Dubrovnik. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

Both Dubrovnik and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Dubrovnik. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Dubrovnik. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

La Rochelle is cooler than Dubrovnik in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Dubrovnik. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Additionally, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, La Rochelle is cooler than Dubrovnik. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Dubrovnik. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and La Rochelle