A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Coimbra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hydra or Coimbra?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Coimbra? 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.

Where Should I go: Hydra or Coimbra?

Hydra

The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Hydra and Coimbra, we can see that Coimbra 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 Hydra Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Coimbra?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Coimbra, 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 Coimbra?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hydra or Coimbra in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Coimbra. The summer months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in July than Coimbra. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Coimbra in the Autumn?

Both Coimbra and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.

Hydra is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Coimbra in the Winter?

Both Coimbra and Hydra during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Hydra is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hydra in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Coimbra averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun.

Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Coimbra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Coimbra. Many visitors come to Hydra in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Hydra is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 16°C (60°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Coimbra and Hydra