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

Should you visit Hydra or Playa Blanca?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca?

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.

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Playa Blanca?

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

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 Playa Blanca in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Playa Blanca. Many visitors come to Hydra in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Playa Blanca. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in July than Playa Blanca. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?

Both Playa Blanca and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.

In October, Hydra is generally cooler than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Playa Blanca in the Winter?

Both Playa Blanca and Hydra during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Hydra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hydra is much colder than Playa Blanca in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hydra often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in January than Playa Blanca. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Playa Blanca in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Playa Blanca. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.

In the spring, Hydra is cooler than Playa Blanca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hydra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Hydra