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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Zaragoza?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Zaragoza? 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 charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a authentic, cultural, and historical city. 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 Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Zaragoza?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Zaragoza is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port. Zaragoza is popular for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is La Rochelle different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Zaragoza specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Zaragoza. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

Is La Rochelle or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is La Rochelle or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is La Rochelle or Zaragoza Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Zaragoza is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Zaragoza is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Zaragoza?

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

Zaragoza is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

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 Zaragoza Better for Families?

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

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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly place to visit. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is La Rochelle or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Zaragoza makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Zaragoza are good 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.

Zaragoza is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is La Rochelle or Zaragoza Better for Students?

For students, both La Rochelle and Zaragoza are good places to visit.

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

Zaragoza is a good coastal town to visit for students. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

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

Zaragoza is great 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.

Public transit in Zaragoza can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams around the city.

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 Zaragoza a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Zaragoza are very good 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.

Zaragoza is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Rochelle and Zaragoza. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Rochelle than in Zaragoza. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

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

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 nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza?

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 food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza?

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 compact city of Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting Zaragoza. 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza in the Summer?

Both Zaragoza and La Rochelle during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Zaragoza in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Rochelle is cooler than Zaragoza. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in July than Zaragoza. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

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

In October, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Zaragoza in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Zaragoza. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

La Rochelle is cooler than Zaragoza in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Zaragoza. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Zaragoza. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Zaragoza in the Spring?

Both Zaragoza and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

In the spring, La Rochelle is cooler than Zaragoza. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and La Rochelle