Hydra

The small island of Hydra, 20 km long and 6 km wide, is a world of its own. Its tourist fame is due to the aristocrats and wealthy bourgeois Athenians who, taking advantage of its proximity to the capital, built their summer residences here.

This chic atmosphere has continued to attract rich people and celebrities over the years, such as Onassis, Sofia Loren, Mike Jagger and Leonard Cohen, and the island has been chosen as a set for several films. But despite this fatal attraction for VIPs Hydra is decidedly less fashionable than Mykonos and less snobbish than Santorini.

Close to the mainland (only a couple of hours by hydrofoil from Athens) yet remote, Hydra is a haven of tranquillity where cars are not allowed to circulate. People move at a slow pace, as they used to: on foot, by bicycle or donkey. It is the ideal place to forget the problems of the city, the noise, the traffic and enjoy simple things like a sunset, the waves of the sea, a good glass of white wine.

When to go to Hydra

Like all Greek islands, Hydra enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm, sunny summers.

August is generally quite crowded, especially in the central weeks. The absence of cars makes Hydra less chaotic than other very touristy islands, but accommodation prices rise so it is best to avoid going during this period if possible.

The best months for a holiday in Hydra are May, June and September, when temperatures are still high but prices and crowds drop.

A particular time to visit the island is Easter, which is recommended for those interested in learning about local traditions.

Where to stay in Hydra

Although cheaper than Mykonos and Santorini, Hydra is not a cheap destination. Partly because of its chic reputation and partly because of the limited number of accommodations on the island due to its small size, hotel prices on Hydra are higher than on other islands.

Don’t be discouraged, however: there is no shortage of cheap options on Hydra. If you book well in advance, you will be able to find guesthouses and flats for €20.00 per person per night.

More than 90 per cent of hotels and holiday homes are concentrated in the town of Hydra and its immediate vicinity; in other areas there is little or no accommodation available.

Recommended hotels in Hydra

We offer a selection of hotels at Hydra to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Hydra, sorted by number of reviews.

Apartments and vacation homes in Hydra

If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Hydra. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Hydra are in high demand.

Beaches of Hydra

The harbour area of Hydra is a bustle of taxi boats, yachts and fishermen’s ships: perfect for a relaxing stroll along the waterfront, but for swimming it is better to move a little further afield.

Hydra’s beaches are small, almost all pebbles or coarse sand. Some can be reached on foot, but many of the most beautiful beaches can only be reached by boat.

An easily accessible beach is Kamini, which you will find just outside the town of Hydra along the path to Palamidas: it is a beautiful beach set in a small bay, also suitable for those travelling with children.

Continuing along the same path you will come across Vilchos, the most beautiful bay on the island, well sheltered from the wind. Perfect for a relaxing swim in the calm blue sea and a lunch of fish and white wine in one of the two small restaurants in the bay.

Other beaches not to be missed in Hydra are Spilla, a rocky beach bathed by a deep blue sea, and Hydronetta, where the island’s most famous disco-bar is located: don’t expect the transgressive crowds of Myknos beach bars, but it is still a pleasant place to sip cocktails with background music, preferably at sunset!

Accessible only by sea are the beautiful Bisti and Agios Nikolaos, two white pebble beaches. The first is a narrow strip of land, surrounded by rich vegetation; the second is larger, protected by a semi-enclosed bay.

What to do on Hydra

If you think that a small island is only suitable for lazy holidays, you are wrong: criss-crossed by paths and mule tracks from one end to the other, Hydra is a true paradise for trekkers. The most popular trail is the one between Hydra and Palamidas, an easy walk along a scenic route.

The more athletic can pick up the pace and take up trail running instead of hiking. The Hydra trails are perfect for this discipline, so much so that every year the Hydra Trail Event is held, an event that attracts a good number of international athletes.

For non-athletes, on the other hand, Hydra offers numerous opportunities to relax, perhaps with a stroll along the seafront, a swim in the crystal-clear sea, a tasty dinner in a typical tavern, a sunset aperitif…

Things to do in Hydra

The only inhabited centre on the island is the town of Hydra or Hydra, which is built around a horseshoe-shaped bay at the ends of which stand two bastions. Behind the harbour rises a mountain with a typical cascade of small white houses.

Arranged like an amphitheatre around the bay are some peculiar buildings: these are the archontika or Maisons de Hydra, the noble residences built in the 18th and 19th centuries by wealthy ship-owners and now housing boutique hotels or museums. These historic buildings are considered national monuments, which is why they are constantly monitored and any changes must be approved by the local administration.

There are also a couple of museums, interesting for those with a passion for local culture and history: the Historical Archives Museum (dedicated to the island’s naval history), the Historical Museum (partly housed within the Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion), the Byzantine and Ecclesiastical Museum.

While exploring the island, take a look at the pretty monasteries and churches inland, including Zouvras, Profitis Ilias, Aghios Triadas and Aghios Nikolaos; in Hydra, the most beautiful church is the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Cathedral.

How to get to Hydra

There are no flights to Hydra, but it is still easy to get to the island: fly to Athens, a city to which many low-cost flights depart, and from there take one of the frequent fast hydrofoils departing from the port of Piraeus to Hydra. The sailing time is less than two hours and there are six daily trips during the high season.

No ferries operate, as cars are not allowed on the island.