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

Should you visit Valletta 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 Valletta 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.

Valletta

Valletta is a waterfront, historic, and charming town. The beauty of Valletta is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Valletta travel costs.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See La Rochelle travel costs.

Valletta and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valletta or La Rochelle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle. Although Valletta and La Rochelle are both popular with visitors, La Rochelle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Rochelle is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Valletta is known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and impressive beauty. Valletta is popular for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port.

How is Valletta different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Valletta is very popular for its historical sights. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Valletta are world-renowned. With its rich culture and compact old town, there are countless museums, sights, and monuments that are worth visiting. Some options include Saint John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace and Armory, the National Museum of Archaeology, Manoel Theater, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Valletta and La Rochelle.

Many restaurants in Valletta have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The town's culinary scene has a long history with many traditional flavors. You really must experience a meal in one of the traditional stone cellar restaurants, which often serve local meze. Head to Republic Street for a stretch of longstanding restaurants in town. Local dishes include stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), bragioli (rolled meat covered in sauce), and lampuki pie (fish pie).

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.

Is Valletta or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Valletta and La Rochelle.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Valletta. It wasn't long ago that the town went quiet in the evenings, but recent years have brought a surge in bars and clubs around town. You'll find the liveliest nightlife in areas around Strait Street and the Valletta Waterfront. If you're looking for a true clubbing scene, you'll want to head north out of town to Paceville.

La Rochelle has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Valletta or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Valletta is lacking in good options for its beaches.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Rochelle. 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.

Valletta is a good spot to see the beach. There aren't any beaches in town, but if you head north to St. George’s Bay you'll find some nice beaches with a variety of resorts to choose from.

Is Valletta or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

Both Valletta and La Rochelle have terrific historic old towns worth visiting.

Valletta has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is laid out with a uniform grid and the streets are lined with hundreds of historic buildings. At the heart of old town is Republic Street, which divides the area in half and is where you'll find a large concentration of restaurants.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Is Valletta or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Valletta 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.

Valletta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valletta or La Rochelle?

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

Valletta is well-known for its shopping. For the best shopping head to Republic Street and Merchants Street where you'll find craft shops, boutiques, and other local souvenirs. Many visitors enjoy picking up blown glass, a locally made miniature, or cactus liquor. Lace is also a common local item that you'll find around town.

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 Valletta or La Rochelle More Beautiful?

Valletta is great for its scenery and beauty. However, La Rochelle is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Valletta is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With its long running history and striking cream buildings against the blue Mediterranean waters, this is a truly beautiful town.

La Rochelle is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Valletta or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Valletta and La Rochelle are good to visit with kids.

Valletta is a family-friendly town. This charming town has nearby beaches as well as a few museums that kids will enjoy, including a toy museum. There are also several multi-media shows that educate visitors on the area's history. Make sure you check out Malta 5D and the Malta Experience.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Rochelle. 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 Valletta or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

Both Valletta and La Rochelle are terrific destinations for a couple's getaway.

Valletta is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town offers beautiful walks, luxury spa experiences, and evening sunset cruises that are seeped in romance. During the evening you can enjoy a cocktail hour and then dine in one of the town's many unique restaurants.

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.

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

Valletta 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 Valletta. The island has grown in popularity with backpackers, particularly those coming from Europe, as there are affordable flights and easy accessibility. You'll also find some nice hostels around town where you can stay on a budget.

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 Valletta or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Valletta 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.

Valletta is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Valletta and La Rochelle.

Valletta has some public transit options. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around 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 Valletta or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

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

Valletta is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town is compact and easy to walk around with many sights within a short distance of each other. There's also very little street traffic.

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 Valletta Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Valletta?

How long in Valletta or La Rochelle?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Valletta than La Rochelle. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Valletta that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valletta 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 Valletta.

One day in Valletta or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the waterfront town of Valletta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Valletta or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Valletta. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This 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.

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valletta or La Rochelle?

The waterfront town of Valletta offers shopping and museums. 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.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Valletta or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Valletta. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta 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 Valletta or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Valletta experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and La Rochelle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. 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, Valletta is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valletta or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valletta as well as La Rochelle. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

Valletta is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Valletta 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 Valletta or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Valletta is much warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Valletta usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valletta or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Valletta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In April, Valletta is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the spring, Valletta often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in April than La Rochelle. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 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 Valletta