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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Venice?

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

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

Venice

Venice is a romantic, cultural, and magical city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

La Rochelle and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Venice than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Venice is more popular for its museums, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Rochelle is known for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Venice is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also home to St. Mark's Basilica. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is La Rochelle different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice 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 Venice are world-renowned. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is La Rochelle or Venice Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is very good for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is La Rochelle or Venice Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for the beach. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Venice Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Venice is revered around the world. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Is La Rochelle or Venice Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for hiking. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Venice?

Venice 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, Venice draws large crowds to its stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Venice Better for Families?

Venice 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, Venice is very family-friendly. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

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 Venice Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Venice 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, Venice has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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

Venice 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 Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Venice 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 Venice. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Venice 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.

Venice has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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.

Venice is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Venice?

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

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

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

One day in La Rochelle or Venice?

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 food and shopping when visiting the romantic city of Venice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Venice?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Venice. 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 Venice?

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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the cultural city of Venice. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Venice?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Venice?

Venice has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Venice. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Venice during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Venice. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Venice in the Autumn?

Both Venice and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Venice. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Venice. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Venice in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Venice. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Venice can be very cold during winter. La Rochelle is much warmer than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Venice during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Venice. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Venice in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Venice. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Venice because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, La Rochelle is cooler than Venice. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Venice averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Venice. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in April than Venice. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Venice and La Rochelle