A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Verona for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Hydra or Verona?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Verona? 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 picturesque, charming, and accessible island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. 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.

Verona

Verona is a beautiful, stunning, and romantic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hydra and Verona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Verona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hydra. Although Hydra and Verona are popular destinations, Hydra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hydra is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Verona attracts visitors for its food and nightlife. 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. Verona is famous for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays.

How is Hydra different from Verona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Hydra and Verona have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Many visitors head to Verona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

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

Verona 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, Verona makes for a great culinary experience. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

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 Verona Better for Nightlife?

Verona is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Verona has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

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 Verona Better for Resorts?

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

Verona is not a resort destination.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hydra is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Verona 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.

Verona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Beaches?

Hydra is a popular place for the beache. However, Verona is not a beach destination.

Hydra is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Verona is not a beach destination.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both Hydra and Verona.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Hiking?

Hydra is a great island for hiking. However, Verona is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hydra for the hiking trails. 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.

Verona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Verona?

Hydra is a great island for its shopping opportunities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Verona to go shopping. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Families?

Hydra is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Couples?

Hydra is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Verona is a very popular place to visit for couples. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Verona. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

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 Verona Better for Students?

Verona is a popular place for students. However, Hydra is not popular with students.

Verona is popular with students. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

Hydra is not popular with students.

Is Hydra or Verona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Verona is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Verona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. ATV operates buses through the city.

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

Is Hydra or Verona a more walkable city?

Hydra is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Verona is a very walkable destination. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

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

Should I spend more time in Verona or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Verona?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hydra and Verona. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Verona than in Hydra. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hydra, and 1-3 days is enough time in Verona.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hydra than Verona. 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 Verona 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 Verona.

One day in Hydra or Verona?

Hydra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Verona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this stunning destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Hydra or Verona?

Hydra is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Verona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Verona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hydra. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Verona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Verona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hydra or Verona?

Hydra is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the romantic destination of Verona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 10-Day Tours in Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Verona?

Verona has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Verona, 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 Verona?

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 Verona in the Summer?

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

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

In Verona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Verona. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 286 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Hydra or Verona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Verona. 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 Verona for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Verona during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Hydra or Verona in the Winter?

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

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

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

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

Should I visit Hydra or Verona in the Spring?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Verona during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Verona and Hydra