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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Positano?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Positano? 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 relaxing, laid-back, and quaint 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.

Positano

Positano is a stunning, luxurious, and charming Mediterranean village. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small 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 shopping, food, and beaches.

La Rochelle and Positano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Positano?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Positano. Although La Rochelle and Positano are both popular with visitors, Positano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Positano is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Rochelle is known for its museums and nightlife. Positano is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. It is also home to The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is La Rochelle different from Positano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is great for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around La Rochelle. 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.

Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both La Rochelle and Positano offer amazing 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.

Positano has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for Resorts?

Positano is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Positano is a great choice. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

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

Positano 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 Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both La Rochelle and Positano 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 Positano to enjoy the beach. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Positano is revered around the world. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for Hiking?

Positano 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 Positano for the hiking trails. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

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 Positano?

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

Positano is well-known for its shopping. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

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 Positano Better for Families?

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

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.

Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Positano make for a amazing 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, Positano has plenty to offer. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Positano 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.

Positano is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

Is La Rochelle or Positano Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Positano 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.

Positano is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Positano 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.

Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Is La Rochelle or Positano a more walkable city?

Positano 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.

Positano is a very easy Mediterranean village to get around on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

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 Positano Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Positano or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Positano?

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

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

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

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

One day in La Rochelle or Positano?

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 food and shopping when visiting the stunning Mediterranean village of Positano. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the food. 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 Positano?

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 shopping and food when visiting the colorful small town of Positano. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This Mediterranean village 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 Positano?

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 food and shopping when visiting the charming Mediterranean village of Positano. 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 Positano?

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 shopping and food when visiting the quaint small town of Positano. 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. Most people visit for the food. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this Mediterranean village.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Positano?

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

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 Positano in the Summer?

Both Positano and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Positano because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Positano. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Positano during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Positano in the Autumn?

Both Positano and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Positano this time of year.

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

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

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Positano. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Positano in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Positano. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Positano for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

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

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Positano in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Positano. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Positano in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Positano and La Rochelle