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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Split?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Split? 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 relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Split

Split is a touristy, fun-filled, and budget-friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

La Rochelle and Split: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Split?

You'll generally find more things to do in Split than La Rochelle. Split is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Split is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while La Rochelle is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Split is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades. Also, Split is famous for Diocletian's Palace. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is La Rochelle different from Split?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Split specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.

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

La Rochelle is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Dining out in Split is an experience not to be missed. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.

Is La Rochelle or Split Better for Nightlife?

Split 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.

Split is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.

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 Split Better for Resorts?

Split is great for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Split is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is La Rochelle or Split Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Split is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Split. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Rochelle or Split Better for Beaches?

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

Split is considered a top beach destination. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.

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 Split Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is terrific for its old town. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

La Rochelle has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Split offers a nice historic old town area. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.

Is La Rochelle or Split Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Split is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Split is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Split?

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

Split is well-known for its shopping. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.

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 Split Better for Families?

Split 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, Split is very family-friendly. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun 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 Split Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Split make for a amazing 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, Split has plenty to offer. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.

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

Split 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, Split is extremely popular for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many backpackers.

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 Split Better for Students?

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

Split is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.

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

La Rochelle and Split 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.

Split has a few public transit options. There are bus services that will help you get around town.

Is La Rochelle or Split a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Split are superb 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.

Split is a very walkable destination. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.

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

Should I spend more time in Split or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Split?

It's fun to spend time in either La Rochelle or Split. In our opinion, Split has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Split than La Rochelle. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Split than La Rochelle. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Split that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Split 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 Split.

One day in La Rochelle or Split?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the touristy city of Split. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Split?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the touristy destination of Split. 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 Split?

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 fun-filled city of Split offers museums and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Split?

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 nightlife and food when visiting Split. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between La Rochelle and Split, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Split Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Split?

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

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 Split in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Split. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

La Rochelle is cooler than Split in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Split fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Split during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Split. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Split in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Split. The autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Split this time of year.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is cooler than Split. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Split averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Split. In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Split. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Split. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Split in the Winter?

Both Split and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Split during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Split. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Split in the Spring?

Both Split and La Rochelle during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Split in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

La Rochelle is cooler than Split in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Split fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Split. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Split. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Split and La Rochelle