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

Should you visit Hydra or Lake Garda?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Lake Garda? 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 accessible, quaint, and picturesque island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Hydra and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hydra. Although Hydra and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Hydra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hydra is very popular for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Lake Garda attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and beaches. Hydra is famous 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. Lake Garda is famous for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Hydra different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hydra is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Lake Garda 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, Lake Garda makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Lake Garda Better for Resorts?

Hydra is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

Is Hydra or Lake Garda Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hydra is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hydra or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

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

Lake Garda is considered a top beach destination. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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 Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Hydra is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Hydra or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Hydra and Lake Garda both have high quality trails.

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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda for the hiking trails. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Lake Garda?

Hydra is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Hydra or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Lake Garda is a very family-friendly destination. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Hydra is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Hydra or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Hydra is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Hydra or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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 Lake Garda Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake Garda is a great destination for its public transit. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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

Is Hydra or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Hydra is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Hydra or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hydra than Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Hydra or Lake Garda?

Hydra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hydra, one day is sufficent for most.

In Lake Garda, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This lake 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 Lake Garda?

Even though Hydra is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Lake Garda?

Hydra, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hydra or Lake Garda?

Hydra is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the fun destination of Lake Garda. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Hydra or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Lake Garda. The summer months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda 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. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hydra is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Hydra during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. Hydra is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Lake Garda. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Hydra in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Hydra