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

Should you visit La Rochelle or San Sebastian?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or San Sebastian? 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or San Sebastian?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while San Sebastian is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. San Sebastian is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port.

How is La Rochelle different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is notable for its sights and museums. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around San Sebastian. Head to Castillo de la Mota for nice views and walks. Museo San Telmo offers an overview of Basque culture and Palacio de Miramar is another interesting place to visit.

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

Both La Rochelle and San Sebastian offer fantastic 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.

San Sebastian has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is a famed culinary capital of not just Spain, but the entire world. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants where you can experience modern or traditional recipes prepared by world class chefs. There are also pintxo bars, food markets, and gourmet food shops, that sell local ingredients and dishes. Much of the cuisine includes seafood, but you'll also find a local twist on traditional tapas. Dining is a true experience in this town.

Is La Rochelle or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian for the nightlife scene. You can expect a lively nightlife scene around town with many bars and places to hang out. Some of the best nightlife is found in and around Parte Vieja, Centro, Reyes Católicos and Gros.

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 San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Sebastian makes a nice vacation spot. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is La Rochelle or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beache. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the beach.

San Sebastian is considered a top beach destination. The city has three urban beaches that are a huge attraction during the summer months. For surfing and a lively atmosphere, head to the Playa de la Zurriola. The playa de la Concha is the most photographed and famous beach in town and Ondarreta is another beautiful option.

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.

Is La Rochelle or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is very popular for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

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.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or San Sebastian Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or San Sebastian?

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

San Sebastian is well-known for its shopping. A mix of familiar brands and locally made items make shopping a fun activity. You'll also find many artisan food shops around town where you can take home some local wine or other culinary treats.

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 San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian 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, San Sebastian is very family-friendly. This city is surprisingly family-friendly. Not only is there the beach, but there are playgrounds everywhere. There's also the fun Monte Igueldo San Sebastian Amusement Park and the San Sebastian Aquarium. You could also take a boat ride or explore the many parks and gardens around town. And, of course, there are the many ice cream shops to check out.

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 San Sebastian Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

San Sebastian makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its nice beaches, stunning view points, and world class restaurants, this city makes an excellent couple's destination. There are Michelin star restaurants to dine in and many parks and gardens where you can take a stroll as well.

Is La Rochelle or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit San Sebastian. There are a number of hostels around town, and you'll find enough other backpackers looking to meet up so you'll never be lonely.

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 San Sebastian Better for Students?

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

San Sebastian is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.

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 San Sebastian Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Rochelle and San Sebastian 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.

San Sebastian has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

Is La Rochelle or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and San Sebastian 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.

San Sebastian is a very walkable destination. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Rochelle and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Rochelle than in San Sebastian. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than San Sebastian. 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 San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian.

One day in La Rochelle or San Sebastian?

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of San Sebastian. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the splendid destination of San Sebastian. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 San Sebastian?

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 splendid city of San Sebastian offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 San Sebastian?

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Sebastian. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the food. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

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

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 San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and San Sebastian, 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 San Sebastian?

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 San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and La Rochelle during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 San Sebastian in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and San Sebastian. 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 San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as San Sebastian. 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 San Sebastian because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, La Rochelle is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm. Also, the beaches are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and La Rochelle