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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Reykjavik? 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 charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

La Rochelle and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Reykjavik?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Reykjavik. While Reykjavik is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and small town charm, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is La Rochelle different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Rochelle can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both La Rochelle and Reykjavik.

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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is very popular for hiking. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

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 Reykjavik?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Reykjavik both offer plenty of nice 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 Reykjavik to go shopping. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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 Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Reykjavik are nice 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.

Reykjavik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik Better for Students?

For students, both La Rochelle and Reykjavik are nice 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.

Reykjavik is a good coastal town to visit for students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

La Rochelle and Reykjavik both offer nice 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.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is La Rochelle or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Reykjavik are very good 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Reykjavik?

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

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

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the green city of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the clean destination of Reykjavik. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the clean city of Reykjavik. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Reykjavik?

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Reykjavik. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Rochelle is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Reykjavik. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. La Rochelle is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Reykjavik in the Winter?

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

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the winter, La Rochelle is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Rochelle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and La Rochelle during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In April, La Rochelle is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and La Rochelle