A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. La Rochelle for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Old Town

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a historic, beautiful, and stunning island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

La Rochelle

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

Palma de Mallorca and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than La Rochelle. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also well known for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Rochelle can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Palma de Mallorca. Food here is centered around pork, fish, and vegetables. It is flavored with garlic and olive oil and it offers that feeling of comfort that comes with home cooking.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca 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.

Palma de Mallorca is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

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 Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its live music scene. However, La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Palma de Mallorca draws a good crowd. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Palma de Mallorca has a few good snorkeling spots. Head to Cala Santanyi on the south side of the island for the best snorkeling. For scuba diving, National Park of Cabrera is one of the most popular spots.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for the beache. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Palma de Mallorca. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

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 Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

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 people head to Palma de Mallorca to see the old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca and La Rochelle are both places where visitors can find nice hiking trails.

Palma de Mallorca has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Palma de Mallorca and La Rochelle.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Palma de Mallorca. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

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 Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca 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, Palma de Mallorca is very family-friendly. The beaches are large and sandy with beautiful blue waters. There's also many activities that both adults and kids can enjoy around the island including waterparks, aquariums, and amusement areas.

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 Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Palma de Mallorca makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Palma de Mallorca. There is no shortage of hostels in Mallorca so it's easy to find an affordable place to stay and a young crowd to hang out with.

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 Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and La Rochelle.

Palma de Mallorca has some public transit options. There is an efficient bus system that can get you around the island, but trips are less frequent on weekends. Pick up the Intermodal Card which can get you from town to town.

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable place. It is a larger island that is not walkable, but Palma is generally a walkable area. If you stay in the central area you should be fine to explore on foot but if you want to get out into more rural areas, you'll need access to some type of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Palma de Mallorca. 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 Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the cultural island of Palma de Mallorca. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island 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 small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the cultural island of Palma de Mallorca. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Palma de Mallorca. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best 3-Week Tours in 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 Palma de Mallorca and La Rochelle, we can see that Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°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 Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 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 Palma de Mallorca