A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palermo vs. La Rochelle for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Palermo 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 Palermo 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.

Palermo

Palermo is a fun, colorful, and diverse city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Palermo and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palermo or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palermo than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Palermo is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Palermo is popular for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture. It is also home to The Cathedral. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Palermo different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Palermo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.

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

La Rochelle is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Palermo. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.

Is Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Palermo for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.

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 Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Palermo has a few good snorkeling spots. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Palermo is great for the beache. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the beach.

Palermo is considered a top beach destination. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.

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.

Is Palermo or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Palermo does not have a historic old town.

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.

Palermo does not have a historic old town.

Is Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Palermo 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.

Palermo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palermo or La Rochelle?

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

Palermo is well-known for its shopping. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

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 Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Palermo 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, Palermo is very family-friendly. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.

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 Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is very popular for couples. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.

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

Both Palermo and La Rochelle are good destinations for backpackers.

Palermo is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.

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 Palermo or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Palermo and La Rochelle are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Palermo is a good city to visit for students. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.

Plenty of students 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.

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

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.

Is Palermo or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Palermo and La Rochelle both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Palermo is a very walkable destination. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.

La Rochelle is very walkable. 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 Palermo Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Palermo?

How long in Palermo or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Palermo or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in La Rochelle due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Palermo, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Palermo. 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 Palermo 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 Palermo or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the diverse city of Palermo. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

La Rochelle is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Palermo or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Palermo. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Rochelle has to offer.

Five days in Palermo or La Rochelle?

The diverse city of Palermo offers museums and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Palermo or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Palermo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, 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 Palermo and La Rochelle, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 La Rochelle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Rochelle than you might in Palermo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Palermo Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palermo or La Rochelle?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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 Palermo 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 Palermo or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palermo as well as La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and 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 July, Palermo is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 25°C (76°F), 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 Palermo this time of the year. In the summer, Palermo often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in July than La Rochelle. Palermo 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 Palermo or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palermo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, 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.

Palermo is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palermo usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Palermo or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Palermo during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Palermo is much warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palermo in January average around 12°C (53°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Palermo often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and La Rochelle. The spring months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In April, Palermo is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 15°C (58°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palermo usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 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 Palermo