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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Ravenna? 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Ravenna?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Ravenna. While Ravenna is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port. Ravenna is well known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is La Rochelle different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Ravenna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Dining out in Ravenna is an experience not to be missed. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both La Rochelle and Ravenna.

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 Ravenna. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of La Rochelle can be explored in its historical center. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna Better for Hiking?

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

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Ravenna?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Ravenna both offer plenty of notable 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 Ravenna to go shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna 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, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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 Ravenna Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Couples visit Ravenna frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Ravenna are notable 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.

Ravenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Ravenna both offer notable 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.

Ravenna has a few public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is La Rochelle or Ravenna a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Ravenna are superb when it comes to walkability.

La Rochelle is a very walkable coastal town. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting? and Is Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in La Rochelle or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in La Rochelle than Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

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

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 nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Ravenna. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this 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 Ravenna?

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 food and shopping when visiting the off-the-beaten-path small town of Ravenna. This 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 Ravenna?

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 charming town of Ravenna offers shopping and 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 Ravenna?

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 and nightlife when visiting Ravenna. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rochelle and Ravenna, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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 Ravenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

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

La Rochelle is cooler than Ravenna in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Ravenna. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Ravenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Ravenna. The autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Ravenna averages at about 14°C (58°F).

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna 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. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. In January, La Rochelle is generally much warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Ravenna. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Ravenna in the Spring?

Both Ravenna 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. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Ravenna. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and La Rochelle