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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Urbino?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Urbino? 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Urbino

Urbino is a historic, undiscovered, and authentic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Urbino?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle. Although La Rochelle and Urbino are both popular with visitors, La Rochelle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Rochelle is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Urbino is known for its impressive beauty. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is La Rochelle different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is great for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into La Rochelle. 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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in La Rochelle have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both La Rochelle and Urbino.

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 Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for hiking. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Urbino?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Urbino 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 Urbino to go shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

La Rochelle offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino Better for Students?

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

Urbino is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is La Rochelle or Urbino a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Urbino?

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

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

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 historic town of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

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 laid back destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

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 undiscovered town of Urbino 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between La Rochelle and Urbino, we can see that Urbino 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 Urbino Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Urbino?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Urbino for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Urbino. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Urbino averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Urbino. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Urbino in the Autumn?

Both Urbino and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Urbino because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in October than Urbino. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Urbino in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Urbino. The winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. La Rochelle is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Urbino. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Urbino in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Urbino. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty.

In the spring, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Urbino. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Urbino and La Rochelle