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

Should you visit Hydra or Pamukkale?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Pamukkale? 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 Pamukkale?

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.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

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 Turkey, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Pamukkale?

Pamukkale has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Pamukkale, 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 Pamukkale?

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 Pamukkale in the Summer?

Both Pamukkale and Hydra during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.

In July, Hydra is generally around the same temperature as Pamukkale. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 27°C (81°F), and Pamukkale fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Pamukkale, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the summer, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamukkale. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamukkale receives 356 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in July than Pamukkale. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Pamukkale in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Pamukkale. Many travelers come to Hydra for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamukkale this time of the year. In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives less sunshine than Pamukkale during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pamukkale receives 232 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives more rain than Pamukkale. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Pamukkale in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Pamukkale. Many visitors come to Hydra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamukkale. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamukkale receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamukkale. Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Pamukkale. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Pamukkale in the Spring?

Both Pamukkale and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hydra for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Hydra is generally around the same temperature as Pamukkale. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 16°C (60°F), and Pamukkale fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamukkale. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamukkale during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Pamukkale receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Pamukkale. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamukkale and Hydra