A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Peniche vs. La Rochelle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Peniche or La Rochelle?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Peniche and La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Peniche or La Rochelle?

Peniche

Peniche is a beach destination with many attractions for travelers. First, the raging sea and the lay of the land make this a popular surfing destination. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a port since the Early Modern Age, when a fort was constructed to defend it. This monument has an absorbing history, first as a maritime defense and then a prison during the Estado Novo regime in the 20th century. The walled historic center makes for pleasant strolling, and the seaside fort where Salazar's regime detained political prisoners is a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history. Artisan lovers will enjoy Peniche's specialty, handmade lace, and it is even possible to see the lace-work in action. And on top of everything, Peniche also has the Berlingas Islands, a natural reserve off the coast, which are well worth a visit.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a lovely French city in the province of Charente-Maritime. It's located in western France and is a seaport on the Bay of Biscay. Most people who visit the city enjoy exploring the "Vieux Port" or Old Harbour area. This area is the heart of the city and it is a beautiful neighborhood that has many seafood restaurants and nice architecture. It's particularly enjoyable to walk around during the evening hours. Ile de Re is connected to the city by a bridge and is also a nice place to visit. If you head out of town, the surrounding countryside is very rural. North of the city is Venise Verte, which is very marshy and has many small canals. It's a popular area for inland boating.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Peniche or La Rochelle?

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

Both La Rochelle and Peniche are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Peniche is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Peniche averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Peniche. Peniche usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Peniche gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Peniche usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Peniche gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Peniche or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Peniche during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the autumn, Peniche is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Peniche in October average around 19°C (66°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Peniche. In the autumn, Peniche often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Peniche gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Peniche usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Peniche gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Peniche or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Peniche and La Rochelle. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Peniche is generally much warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Peniche average around 12°C (53°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Peniche usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Peniche gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

Peniche gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Peniche usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Peniche gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Peniche or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Peniche as well as La Rochelle. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Peniche this time of the year. In the spring, Peniche often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Peniche gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Peniche usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Peniche gets 64 mm (2.5 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 Peniche