A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Rochelle vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit La Rochelle or Pompeii?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Pompeii? 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 quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind, ancient, and famous archeological site. Visitors also love the museums.

La Rochelle and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle. Although La Rochelle and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, La Rochelle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Rochelle is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port.

How is La Rochelle different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is very popular for its historical sights. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Pompeii are world-renowned. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

La Rochelle is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for the beach. However, Pompeii is not a beach destination.

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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for its hiking trails. However, Pompeii is not a hiking destination.

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.

Pompeii is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Pompeii?

La Rochelle is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

La Rochelle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii 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, Pompeii is very family-friendly. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is renowned for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, La Rochelle 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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Pompeii are good 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.

Pompeii is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii Better for Students?

For students, both La Rochelle and Pompeii are good 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.

Pompeii is a good coastal town to visit for students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

La Rochelle and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii has a few public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is La Rochelle or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a very easy archeological site to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in La Rochelle or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in La Rochelle than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

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 museums when visiting the ancient archeological site of Pompeii. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Pompeii?

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 museums when visiting the ancient destination of Pompeii. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

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 famous archeological site of Pompeii offers 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 Pompeii?

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 when visiting Pompeii. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit La Rochelle or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Pompeii. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pompeii this time of the year. In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.

La Rochelle is cooler than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In January, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Pompeii. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and La Rochelle during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

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

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and La Rochelle