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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rijeka? 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Rijeka?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Rijeka. While Rijeka is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Rijeka is known for its nightlife and big city activities. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is La Rochelle different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

La Rochelle is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is La Rochelle or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Rijeka for the nightlife scene. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

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 Rijeka Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is La Rochelle or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

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

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Rijeka?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Rijeka both offer plenty of good 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 Rijeka to go shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is La Rochelle or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka 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, Rijeka is very family-friendly. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is renowned for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is La Rochelle or Rijeka Better for Students?

For students, both La Rochelle and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is a good coastal town to visit for students. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

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

La Rochelle and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka has a few public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is La Rochelle or Rijeka a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Rijeka?

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

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

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

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the slow-paced town of Rijeka. 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 Rijeka?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the coastal destination of Rijeka. 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 Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The diverse town of Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rijeka. 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

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

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 Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and La Rochelle during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Rijeka. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Rijeka. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Rijeka. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, La Rochelle is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Rijeka. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and La Rochelle