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

Should you visit Malaga or La Rochelle?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and La Rochelle. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Malaga

Malaga is a beautiful, friendly, and welcoming port city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Malaga and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or La Rochelle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Malaga than La Rochelle. Malaga is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Malaga is better known for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Malaga is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Also, Malaga is famous for The Alcazaba. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Malaga different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Malaga has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Is Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Malaga is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Is Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Music?

Malaga is great for its live music scene. However, La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Malaga draws a good crowd. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few good snorkeling spots. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Malaga and La Rochelle both offer notable beaches.

Malaga offers a nice beach destination. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

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.

Is Malaga or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of La Rochelle can be explored in its historical center. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Is Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Malaga is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or La Rochelle?

Both Malaga and La Rochelle are notable shopping destinations.

Malaga offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

La Rochelle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Malaga and La Rochelle are notable family-friendly destinations.

Malaga is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly port city. 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 Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

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

Malaga is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Malaga is extremely popular for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

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 Malaga or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Malaga is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

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

Both Malaga and La Rochelle offer notable public transit options.

Malaga has a few public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

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

Is Malaga or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Malaga and La Rochelle both are superb when exploring on foot.

Malaga is a very walkable port city. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible 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 Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Malaga due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Malaga. 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 Malaga. 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 Malaga 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 Malaga.

One day in Malaga or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the welcoming port city of Malaga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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.

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.

A weekend in Malaga or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the welcoming destination of Malaga. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This port city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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.

Five days in Malaga or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beautiful port city of Malaga. 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.

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.

A week in Malaga or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Malaga. 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. Most people visit for the nightlife. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, 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 Malaga and La Rochelle, we can see that Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or La Rochelle?

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

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 Malaga or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as La Rochelle. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Malaga is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than La Rochelle. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Malaga is generally much warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Rochelle. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm.

Malaga is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Malaga