A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Brescia for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Hydra or Brescia?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Brescia? 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.

Hydra

Hydra is a quaint, picturesque, and charming island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Brescia

Brescia is a undisovered, authentic, and under-rated city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hydra and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Brescia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hydra. Although Hydra and Brescia are both popular with visitors, Hydra has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hydra is more popular for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Brescia is known for its food and nightlife. Hydra is more touristy than Brescia and is known for its picturesque setting, car-free setting, and beautiful old town. It is also home to The Monastery of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Brescia is popular for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Hydra different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hydra or Brescia?

Hydra is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Hydra can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small island, there are many local museums and sights. Highlights include the Historical Archives Museum, the Ecclesiastical Museum, the Monastery of Agia Efpraxia, and the Monastery of Prophet Elias.

Brescia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

Is the Food Better in Hydra or Brescia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brescia is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Brescia makes for a great culinary experience. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Hydra has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. For such a small island, it really packs in some great restaurants. Head down the side streets to find the best souvlaki. There are also tavernas where you can sample local wine. Fresh caught seafood is a favorite on the island as well.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Brescia is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Brescia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Hydra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small island that is often visited as a day trip, so don't expect a huge party scene. There are about seven places in total that make up the island's nightlife scene. Each is centered around the harbor and many people start their evening at one bar and slowly hop around. They usually have DJs and full bars.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Resorts?

Hydra is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Brescia is not a resort destination.

Hydra has a handful of resorts to choose from. It's a popular day trip destination, but if you stay for a night or two, you'll find boutique hotels and charming pensions.

Brescia is not a resort destination.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hydra is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Brescia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hydra has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some snorkeling spots around the island - most notably Bisti Beach, which is pebbly and has some interesting sea life.

Brescia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Beaches?

Hydra is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Brescia is not a beach destination.

Hydra has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are usually pebbly with nice blue water. Many people visit the beaches as part of a boat tour, which leaves from the port and tours the island. Some of the most popular beaches are Vlichos, Kaminia, Bisti and Agios Nikolaos.

Brescia is not a beach destination.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for its Old Town?

Hydra is well known for its historic old town. However, Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Hydra to see the historical old town. With no cars and plenty of charm, the island's old town feels as if you've stepped back in time. Donkey pulled carts and quaint streets give this town its atmosphere.

Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Hiking?

Hydra is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brescia is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Hydra. The island is filled with walking paths and donkey trails that are fun to explore. Some walk along the sea and offer spectacular views while others take you inland through the hills.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Brescia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Brescia and Hydra.

Hydra is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Charming shops fill the town and sell local items such as handmade jewelry and traditional embroideries.

Brescia is well-known for its shopping. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Families?

Hydra is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Hydra is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island feels like it's frozen in time. There are no cars allowed here, so kids can run freely without the worry of traffic. They'll be as fascinated as you are by the carts pulled by donkeys. Most things you'll visit are also close together, making accessibility easy. In addition to some interesting museums, there are beaches and kid-friendly food. The whole island really is a playground.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Couples?

Hydra is renowned for romance. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Hydra has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island makes a great honeymoon or couple's destination. Most visitors come as a day trip, but spending a night or two on the island is a unique experience. It has a laid back vibe and is filled with romance. The food is amazing, and the traditional atmosphere will make you feel as if you've traveled back in time.

Brescia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Students?

Brescia is a popular place for students. However, Hydra is not popular with students.

Brescia is popular with students. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

Hydra is not popular with students.

Is Hydra or Brescia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brescia is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Brescia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hydra. There are sea taxis and beach boats on the island.

Is Hydra or Brescia a more walkable city?

Hydra is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Hydra on foot is easy. The entire island is car-free and everything that you want to visit is close together and easy to explore on foot.

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

For even more information, also check out Is Hydra Worth Visiting? and Is Brescia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hydra or Brescia to fill your time. In our opinion, Hydra has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hydra than Brescia. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hydra than Brescia 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 Hydra.

One day in Hydra or Brescia?

Hydra is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Brescia, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undisovered destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Hydra or Brescia?

Hydra 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. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hydra has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brescia. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Hydra or Brescia?

Hydra 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.

Brescia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Brescia. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hydra or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hydra. Since Hydra is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Brescia. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hydra and Brescia, we can see that Brescia is more expensive. And not only is Hydra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hydra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hydra 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 Brescia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brescia than you might in Hydra.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Brescia, 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 Hydra or Brescia?

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 Hydra or Brescia in the Summer?

Both Brescia and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hydra for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Brescia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Hydra is a little warmer than Brescia in the summer. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Brescia fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Brescia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Brescia during summer. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hydra usually receives less rain than Brescia. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hydra or Brescia in the Autumn?

Both Brescia and Hydra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hydra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Brescia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hydra is a little warmer than Brescia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hydra in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Brescia averages at about 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the autumn, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Brescia. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 137 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in October than Brescia. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Brescia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Brescia. Most visitors come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Brescia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Brescia can be very cold. In January, Hydra is generally much warmer than Brescia. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 10°C (51°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Brescia during winter. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hydra usually receives less rain than Brescia. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hydra or Brescia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Brescia. The spring months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Brescia this time of year.

Hydra is a little warmer than Brescia in the spring. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Brescia fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the spring, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Brescia. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 169 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in April than Brescia. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Hydra