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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Siena?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Siena? 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Siena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Siena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. La Rochelle is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Siena attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. 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 Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Siena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

La Rochelle is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for its beaches. However, Siena is not a beach destination.

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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the world-class old towns in both La Rochelle and Siena.

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.

The historic old town of Siena is revered around the world. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for Hiking?

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

Siena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Siena?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Siena 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 Siena to go shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for Families?

La Rochelle is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Siena make for a world-class place to visit.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

For those traveling as a couple, Siena has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Siena 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.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is La Rochelle or Siena Better for Students?

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

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

La Rochelle and Siena 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.

Siena has a few public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is La Rochelle or Siena a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Siena are great 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.

Siena is a very walkable destination. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Siena?

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

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Siena. 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 Siena. 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 Siena 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 Siena?

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 charming city of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Siena?

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The medieval city of Siena offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in La Rochelle or Siena?

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

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 Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Siena?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena 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. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, 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 Siena. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Siena. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Siena. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Siena in the Winter?

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

In the winter, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Rochelle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Siena. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Siena. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena 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 Siena because of the natural beauty.

In April, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Siena during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Siena. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and La Rochelle