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

Should you visit Southampton or La Rochelle?

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

Should I visit Southampton or La Rochelle? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Southampton and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or La Rochelle?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Southampton is more popular for its impressive beauty. La Rochelle is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is a great coastal town for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

La Rochelle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, La Rochelle is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Is Southampton or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Southampton and La Rochelle.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

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 Southampton or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the beache. However, Southampton is not a beach destination.

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.

Southampton is not a beach destination.

Is Southampton or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is Southampton or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for hiking. However, Southampton is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Southampton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or La Rochelle?

If you're looking to go shopping, Southampton and La Rochelle both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

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 Southampton or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or La Rochelle.

Southampton offers lots of family activities. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

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 Southampton or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for couples.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Southampton is a very popular place to visit for couples. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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

La Rochelle is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While La Rochelle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is a great coastal town for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

La Rochelle is a very walkable coastal town. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Southampton 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 Southampton, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Southampton. 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 Southampton. 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic port city of Southampton. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port 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. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. 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.

A weekend in Southampton or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic destination of Southampton. This port 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. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This coastal 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.

Five days in Southampton or La Rochelle?

The dynamic port city of Southampton offers shopping and museums. 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.

Because La Rochelle is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

A week in Southampton or La Rochelle?

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

Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Southampton and La Rochelle, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or La Rochelle?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or La Rochelle in the Summer?

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

Southampton is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. Southampton usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Southampton during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Southampton is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Southampton 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 Southampton or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Southampton. In January, Southampton is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Southampton as well as La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Southampton in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Southampton is cooler than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Southampton gets 45 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 Southampton