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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Volterra?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Volterra? 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 laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Volterra

Volterra is a cultural, historic, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

La Rochelle and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Volterra?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Rochelle. Although La Rochelle and Volterra are popular destinations, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Volterra attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is La Rochelle different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Volterra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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

Both La Rochelle and Volterra offer first-rate 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.

Volterra has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is a popular place for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

La Rochelle has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its beaches. However, Volterra is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Volterra is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the first-rate old towns in both La Rochelle and Volterra.

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 Volterra is revered around the world. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Volterra is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Volterra is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Volterra?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Volterra 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 Volterra to go shopping. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either La Rochelle or Volterra.

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.

Volterra is a family-friendly place to visit. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Volterra make for a first-rate 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, Volterra has plenty to offer. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Volterra 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.

Volterra is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for students. However, Volterra is not popular with students.

La Rochelle is popular with students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Volterra is not popular with students.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in La Rochelle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is La Rochelle or Volterra a more walkable city?

Volterra 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.

Volterra is a very easy town to get around on foot. Most people explore the town on foot.

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 Volterra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Volterra or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Volterra?

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Volterra. 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 Volterra 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 Volterra?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural town of Volterra. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. 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 Volterra?

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic small town of Volterra. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Volterra?

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The medieval town of Volterra offers museums and food. 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 Volterra?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Volterra. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between La Rochelle and Volterra, 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 Volterra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Volterra?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Volterra. The summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.

In July, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volterra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Volterra. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in July than Volterra. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Volterra in the Autumn?

Both Volterra and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Volterra. In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Volterra. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Volterra in the Winter?

Both Volterra and La Rochelle during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

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

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Volterra. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Volterra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Volterra. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Volterra. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Volterra and La Rochelle