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

Should you visit Hydra or Peniche?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Peniche? 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 Peniche?

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.

Peniche

Peniche is a beach destination with many attractions for travelers. First, the raging sea and the lay of the land make this a popular surfing destination. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a port since the Early Modern Age, when a fort was constructed to defend it. This monument has an absorbing history, first as a maritime defense and then a prison during the Estado Novo regime in the 20th century. The walled historic center makes for pleasant strolling, and the seaside fort where Salazar's regime detained political prisoners is a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history. Artisan lovers will enjoy Peniche's specialty, handmade lace, and it is even possible to see the lace-work in action. And on top of everything, Peniche also has the Berlingas Islands, a natural reserve off the coast, which are well worth a visit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Peniche?

Peniche has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Peniche, 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 Peniche?

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 Peniche in the Summer?

Both Peniche 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 the summer, Hydra is a little warmer than Peniche. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hydra in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Peniche averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Peniche, 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 Peniche. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Peniche receives 352 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in July than Peniche. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Peniche in the Autumn?

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

In October, Hydra is generally around the same temperature as Peniche. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Peniche fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Peniche 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 Peniche during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Peniche receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Peniche. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Peniche in the Winter?

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

Hydra is cooler than Peniche in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Peniche fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Peniche. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Peniche receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Peniche. Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Peniche. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Peniche in the Spring?

Both Peniche 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 the spring, Hydra is around the same temperature as Peniche. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hydra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Peniche averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Peniche. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Peniche during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Peniche receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Peniche. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Peniche and Hydra