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

Should you visit Hydra or Pontevedra?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Pontevedra? 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 Pontevedra?

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.

Pontevedra

An important port city with a medieval past, Pontevedra sits on the northwestern coast of Spain where the Lerez River opens out into the ocean. It is a part of the Galicia region and is known for its seafood, charming plazas, and old world architecture that include a number of chapels, churches, and cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Pontevedra?

Pontevedra has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Pontevedra, 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 Pontevedra?

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 Pontevedra in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Hydra is a little warmer than Pontevedra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hydra in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Pontevedra averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Pontevedra. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 299 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in July than Pontevedra. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Pontevedra in the Autumn?

Both Pontevedra and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hydra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hydra is generally a little warmer than Pontevedra. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Pontevedra fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Pontevedra during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Pontevedra in the Winter?

Both Pontevedra and Hydra during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hydra is around the same temperature as Pontevedra in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Pontevedra fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Pontevedra. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 110 hours of full sun.

Pontevedra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Pontevedra. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 232 mm (9.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Pontevedra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Pontevedra. The spring months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hydra is a little warmer than Pontevedra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hydra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Pontevedra averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Pontevedra during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pontevedra receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pontevedra and Hydra