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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Milan?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Milan? 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 peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back 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.

Milan

Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Milan is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Milan is popular for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is La Rochelle different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Milan specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Both La Rochelle and Milan offer terrific 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.

Milan has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is La Rochelle or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Milan is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

Milan is very popular for its live music scene. However, La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Milan. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is La Rochelle or Milan Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Milan is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Rochelle. 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.

Milan is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Milan Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the terrific old towns in both La Rochelle and Milan.

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 Milan is revered around the world. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Is La Rochelle or Milan Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for hiking. However, Milan 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.

Milan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Milan?

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

Known for shopping, Milan draws large crowds to its stores. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Milan Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either La Rochelle or Milan.

La Rochelle offers lots of family activities. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is La Rochelle or Milan Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

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

Milan 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 Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

Milan is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for students.

Many students frequent Milan. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

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

Milan is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Milan has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is La Rochelle or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan 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.

Milan is a very easy city to get around on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Milan?

In either La Rochelle or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan 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 Milan.

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

One day in La Rochelle or Milan?

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Milan is a chic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milan is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Milan?

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Milan is a chic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Milan?

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Milan. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

Both Milan and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Milan. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Milan averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Milan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Milan during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Milan. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Milan in the Autumn?

Both Milan and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Milan because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Milan. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Milan. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

Milan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Milan. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Milan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Milan. The winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Milan in the winter. La Rochelle is a little warmer than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Milan during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Milan. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Milan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Milan. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, La Rochelle is cooler than Milan. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Milan averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milan. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Milan. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and La Rochelle