A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Cordoba for Attractions, Old Town, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Hydra or Cordoba?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Cordoba? 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.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a colorful, flower-filled, and historical town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hydra and Cordoba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Cordoba?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cordoba than Hydra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cordoba is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Hydra is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and small town charm. Cordoba is more touristy than Hydra and is known for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. Also, Cordoba is famous for La Mezquita. Hydra is well known for its picturesque setting, car-free setting, and beautiful old town.

How is Hydra different from Cordoba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cordoba is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cordoba that are not to be missed. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

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.

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

Cordoba 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, Cordoba makes for a great culinary experience. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

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 Cordoba Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Cordoba know how to have a good time. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

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 Cordoba Better for Resorts?

Hydra is a island with good options for its resorts. However, Cordoba is not a resort destination.

Hydra has a few great resort options. It's a popular day trip destination, but if you stay for a night or two, you'll find boutique hotels and charming pensions.

Cordoba is not a resort destination.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hydra is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cordoba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Hydra. There are some snorkeling spots around the island - most notably Bisti Beach, which is pebbly and has some interesting sea life.

Cordoba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Beaches?

Hydra is a island with good options for the beach. However, Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Hydra. 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.

Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for its Old Town?

Cordoba is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The historic old town of Cordoba is revered around the world. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Hiking?

Hydra is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Cordoba 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.

Cordoba is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Cordoba?

Hydra is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hydra. Charming shops fill the town and sell local items such as handmade jewelry and traditional embroideries.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cordoba. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Families?

Hydra is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Cordoba is a family-friendly island. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Couples?

Hydra is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Hydra is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Cordoba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cordoba is a great destination for backpackers. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Cordoba. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

Hydra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most people visit the island as a day trip and it doesn't attract nearly as many backpackers as the larger Greek islands. If you visit during the lower season, you might find some affordable accommodation.

Is Hydra or Cordoba Better for Students?

Cordoba is a world-class destination for students. However, Hydra is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Cordoba. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

Hydra is not popular with students.

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

Cordoba 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 Cordoba, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

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

Is Hydra or Cordoba a more walkable city?

Hydra is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Cordoba is very walkable. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Cordoba or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Cordoba?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hydra and Cordoba. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cordoba than in Hydra. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hydra, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cordoba.

Families should spend more time in Hydra than Cordoba. 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 Cordoba. 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 Cordoba 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 Cordoba.

One day in Hydra or Cordoba?

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 Cordoba, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This town 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 Cordoba?

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 Cordoba. 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 Cordoba?

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.

Cordoba is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cordoba. Lots of people come for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hydra or Cordoba?

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 flower-filled destination of Cordoba. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Cordoba?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Cordoba, 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 Cordoba?

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 Cordoba in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Cordoba. Many visitors come to Hydra in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cordoba for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Hydra is generally around the same temperature as Cordoba. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 27°C (81°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cordoba 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 Cordoba during summer. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 358 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hydra usually receives more rain than Cordoba. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hydra or Cordoba in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Cordoba. Most visitors come to Hydra for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cordoba because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Hydra is around the same temperature as Cordoba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Cordoba fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cordoba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the autumn, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 202 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in October than Cordoba. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Cordoba in the Winter?

Both Cordoba and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Hydra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cordoba this time of year.

In the winter, Hydra is around the same temperature as Cordoba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hydra in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Cordoba averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Hydra usually receives less sunshine than Cordoba during winter. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hydra usually receives less rain than Cordoba. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hydra or Cordoba in the Spring?

Both Cordoba and Hydra during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hydra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cordoba for the natural beauty.

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

In Cordoba, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the spring, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Cordoba. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 203 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in April than Cordoba. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cordoba and Hydra