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

Should you visit Mainz or La Rochelle?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Mainz and La Rochelle can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful town. 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

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or La Rochelle?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Mainz. While Mainz is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Mainz attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Mainz different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Rochelle and Mainz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mainz or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

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

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its beaches. However, Mainz 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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Mainz 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.

Mainz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or La Rochelle?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Mainz and La Rochelle.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mainz. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

La Rochelle offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Mainz or La Rochelle Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly coastal town. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is terrific for romance. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Couples visit Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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

Mainz and La Rochelle are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Mainz is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Mainz 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 Mainz can get you to some places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Mainz or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Mainz 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.

Mainz is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town is easily explored 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 Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or La Rochelle?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Mainz 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 Mainz or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful town of Mainz. 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.

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.

A weekend in Mainz or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Mainz. 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.

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.

Five days in Mainz or La Rochelle?

The historic town of Mainz 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.

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.

A week in Mainz or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Mainz. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or La Rochelle?

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

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 Mainz or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mainz is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Mainz is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Mainz is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the spring, Mainz is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mainz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Mainz often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Mainz