A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Cannes for Food, Resorts, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hydra or Cannes?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Cannes? 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 charming, accessible, and quaint island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Cannes

Cannes is a glitzy, opulent , and luxury resort city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Hydra and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Cannes?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cannes than Hydra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cannes is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Hydra is more popular for its museums, hiking, and small town charm. Cannes is more touristy than Hydra and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. Also, Cannes is famous for Boulevard de la Croisette. Hydra is well known for its picturesque setting, car-free setting, and beautiful old town.

How is Hydra different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cannes 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 Cannes?

Hydra is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Cannes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

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 Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is a great destination for nightlife. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Cannes know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

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 Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is a world-class destination for live music. However, Hydra is not a live music destination.

Cannes is a world class music destination. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Hydra is not a live music destination.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Cannes is a great choice. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

With a selection of resorts, Hydra makes a nice vacation spot. It's a popular day trip destination, but if you stay for a night or two, you'll find boutique hotels and charming pensions.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

There's notable scuba diving or snorkeling available in both Hydra and Cannes.

Hydra has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some snorkeling spots around the island - most notably Bisti Beach, which is pebbly and has some interesting sea life.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a great destination for its beaches. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Cannes is considered a top beach destination. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Many people head to Hydra to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both Hydra and Cannes.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Hydra. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Cannes. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for Hiking?

Hydra is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Hydra is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Cannes?

Cannes is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Cannes is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

Hydra is well-known for its shopping. Charming shops fill the town and sell local items such as handmade jewelry and traditional embroideries.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for Families?

Hydra is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hydra is known to be 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.

Cannes is a family-friendly island. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Hydra or Cannes Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Hydra and Cannes make for a world-class place to visit.

Hydra makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

For those traveling as a couple, Cannes has plenty to offer. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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

Cannes 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 Cannes, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel around the city.

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

Is Hydra or Cannes a more walkable city?

Hydra is an amazing island to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its walkability.

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

Cannes is very walkable. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Hydra or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cannes due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hydra, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

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

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

One day in Hydra or Cannes?

Hydra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Cannes, many people enjoy the live music and food that this luxury destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Hydra or Cannes?

Hydra is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Cannes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hydra. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cannes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hydra or Cannes?

Hydra is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the lavish destination of Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hydra and Cannes, we can see that Cannes 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 Cannes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cannes 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 Cannes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Cannes?

Cannes has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Cannes, 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 Cannes?

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 Cannes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Cannes. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hydra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hydra is generally a little warmer than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 27°C (81°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Hydra usually receives less rain than Cannes. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hydra or Cannes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Cannes. Many travelers come to Hydra for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Cannes in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hydra is a little warmer than Cannes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Cannes. Hydra usually gets less rain in October than Cannes. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Cannes in the Winter?

Both Cannes and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hydra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Hydra is a little warmer than Cannes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hydra in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Cannes averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In January, Hydra usually receives less rain than Cannes. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hydra or Cannes in the Spring?

Both Cannes and Hydra during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hydra for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Hydra is generally a little warmer than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 16°C (60°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Hydra usually gets less rain in April than Cannes. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Hydra