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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Rome?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rome? 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 peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Rome

Rome is a bustling, fun-filled, and popular city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is known for its beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Rome is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

The Colosseum

How is La Rochelle different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome 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 Rome are world-renowned. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both La Rochelle and Rome offer terrific 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.

Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Is La Rochelle or Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

Rome is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome Better for Music?

Rome is very popular for its live music scene. However, La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is La Rochelle or Rome Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Rochelle. 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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Rome Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, La Rochelle offers plenty to see. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Rome Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Rome?

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

Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome Better for Families?

Rome 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, Rome is very family-friendly. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

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 Rome Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

La Rochelle is a great coastal town for couples, as it 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.

Rome is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

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

Rome is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rome is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is La Rochelle or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for students.

Many students frequent Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

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

Rome is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Rome has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is La Rochelle or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome 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.

Rome is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Rome?

Both La Rochelle and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in La Rochelle. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Rome. 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 Rome 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 Rome.

One day in La Rochelle or Rome?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Rome is a popular city where you can fill many days. 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 Rome?

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Rome is a popular big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in La Rochelle or Rome?

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rome is a fun-filled city where you can fill many days. 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 Rome?

Because La Rochelle is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Rome is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Rome. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Rome. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in July than Rome. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Rome. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and La Rochelle during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

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

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Rome. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rome. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Rome. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, La Rochelle is cooler than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rome. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and La Rochelle