A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Rochelle vs. Hondarribia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Rochelle or Hondarribia?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Hondarribia? 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.

Where Should I go: La Rochelle or Hondarribia?

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a lovely French city in the province of Charente-Maritime. It's located in western France and is a seaport on the Bay of Biscay. Most people who visit the city enjoy exploring the "Vieux Port" or Old Harbour area. This area is the heart of the city and it is a beautiful neighborhood that has many seafood restaurants and nice architecture. It's particularly enjoyable to walk around during the evening hours. Ile de Re is connected to the city by a bridge and is also a nice place to visit. If you head out of town, the surrounding countryside is very rural. North of the city is Venise Verte, which is very marshy and has many small canals. It's a popular area for inland boating.

Hondarribia

The characteristic Spanish buildings painted in the brightest, most vibrant of colors only match the true spirit of the town, Hondarribia, Spain. Hondarribia is located on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth in Gipuzkoa of Basque Country. The town is rich in its Spanish history, holding both an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle within. Hondarribia is also known for its gorgeous beach of bright blue water across the Bidasoa alongside the fertile, roaming mountain of Jaizkibel. What's more, Hondarribia faces the border of Hendaye, France, so if you are yearning to expand your cultural learning, take a service boat over to Spain's friendly neighbor! No matter if you want to explore the ancient architecture or enjoy the cooling waters of the bay, Hondarribia is definitely a location known for its beauty and activity!

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Hondarribia?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hondarribia. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Hondarribia, 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 Hondarribia?

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 Hondarribia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Hondarribia. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Hondarribia. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Hondarribia fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

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

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Hondarribia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Hondarribia. The autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Hondarribia in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Hondarribia fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

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

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Hondarribia in the Winter?

Both Hondarribia and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the winter, La Rochelle is cooler than Hondarribia. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Rochelle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Hondarribia averages at about 8°C (47°F).

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

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Hondarribia in the Spring?

Both Hondarribia and La Rochelle during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Hondarribia. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Hondarribia fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Hondarribia and La Rochelle