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

Should you visit Hydra or Girona?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Girona? 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Hydra and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Girona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hydra. Although Hydra and Girona are popular destinations, Hydra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hydra is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Girona attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Hydra is more touristy than Girona and is known for its picturesque setting, car-free setting, and beautiful old town. It is also well known for The Monastery of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Hydra different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Hydra and Girona have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Hydra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Girona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

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

Girona 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, Girona makes for a great culinary experience. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

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 Girona Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Hydra or Girona has a better nightlife scene.

Hydra is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

Girona doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for Resorts?

Hydra is a good destination for its resorts. However, Girona is not a resort destination.

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.

Girona is not a resort destination.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hydra is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Girona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Hydra. There are some snorkeling spots around the island - most notably Bisti Beach, which is pebbly and has some interesting sea life.

Girona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for Beaches?

Hydra is a good destination for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

Hydra offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona 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 Girona is revered around the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

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 Girona Better for Hiking?

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

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Girona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Girona 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.

Girona is well-known for its shopping. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for Families?

Hydra is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Hydra is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for Couples?

Hydra is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Hydra is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Hydra or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Girona is a popular place for backpackers. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

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 Girona Better for Students?

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

Girona is popular with students. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

Hydra is not popular with students.

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

Girona 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 Girona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

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

Is Hydra or Girona a more walkable city?

Hydra and Girona both are amazing when exploring on foot.

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.

Girona is a very easy island to get around on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hydra or Girona 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 Girona. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Hydra or Girona?

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 Girona, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this medieval destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Girona?

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 Girona. 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 Girona?

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.

Girona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. 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 Girona?

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 food and shopping around the charming destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Girona?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Girona. Most visitors come to Hydra for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hydra is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hydra in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Girona this time of the year. In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Girona during summer. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hydra usually receives less rain than Girona. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hydra or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Girona. The autumn months attract visitors to Hydra because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In October, Hydra is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the autumn, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Girona. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hydra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hydra is a little warmer than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Girona during winter. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hydra usually receives less rain than Girona. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hydra or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Hydra during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hydra for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hydra is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hydra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the spring, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Girona. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Hydra