The 7 things to do in Hydra

You're going to Greece to Hydra, in the Saronique Gulf? Here are the essentials to visit Hydra!

Known from Antiquity as Hydrea, the island of Hydra – or Idra – was a great naval power of the Mediterranean Sea in the modern era. Located in the Aegean Sea only an hour and a half Athens By boat, Hydra is described as a unique city to visit among the Greek islands, authentic, peaceful, where a perfume of tranquility, bohemian life and chic all year round reigns.

The island is sprinkled with a chain of denteled and scenic mountains plunging into the sea, spread over twenty kilometers long for 2 to 3.5 kilometers wide. With only 1,966 inhabitants, the island is rocky, apparently inhospitable, and covered with maquis. Despite the small urbanization of the island – there is only one city, bearing the name of the island – you will not ask yourself for a long time in Hydra.

A true paradise of nature just a few kilometers from the peninsula of Argolide and Attica, many activities will be on the programme to visit Hydra, both culturally, historically and seaside. Here, to guide you in your travel preparation, our ideas of essential things to do to visit Hydra.

1. The city of Hydra

The city is built around the eponymous port, with white houses lined with red tiles, designed as an amphitheatre. Long abandoned and forgotten imperial and colonial lusts, Hydra was able to take advantage of a disinterest of the powers: it results in an authentic village soul, as if time and fulgurating modernity had never taken place. In the 17th century, many pirates, corsaries and conquering shipowners populated the island: in fact, they left beautiful historical buildings to contemplate.

In the city centre, many small cafes, bars and restaurants can enjoy the popular atmosphere. Bougainvilliers and jasmins feature streets, houses, museums and art collections. Visit for example the museum Lazaros Koundouriotis the name of the shipowner who played an important role during the revolution.

The National History Museum of Greece is adjoining, is to be done to visit Hydra. You will not miss a poster at the beach of Hydronetta for a romantic sunset and admire the sunset, especially if you come to visit Hydra as a couple. Ideal for staying in Hydra, the homonymous city has a lively nightlife, where the Athenian youth gives an appointment to party around the port.

2. Ass-backed walks

When we come to Hydra, we will soon realize that no motor car or vehicle is allowed to ride: a weight argument if you are looking for tranquility and to travel without inhaling large hydrocarbons. Here, the donkey is a privileged means of transport to carry his luggage, rally a point of interest or carry heavy loads.

The animal has even become a source of income since donkeys are visiting Hydra to tourists. These cute beasts really give the island a special charm (it is still much less noisy (and polluting) than a car!).

3. Make Hydra Museums

What to do in Hydra? If you like cultural outings, three museums are unavoidably worth visiting: the Hydra Historical Archives Museum, the Koundouriotis Villa and the Byzantine Museum. The historic archival museum is located on the east dock of the port, in a traditional house which the armor Gikas Koulouras gave to the town hall of Hydra, and was founded in 1918.

More than 18,000 documents retracing the history and culture of Hydra are exhibited, with objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, and exhibitions on wars (Balkan War, First and Second World War). The museum is separated into three sections: archives, museum and library. The Villa Koundouriotis – Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion – from the name of the family of the shipowner who dedicated his life to the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman yoke, is an architectural masterpiece of the 18th century (1780).

Historical collections and objects belonged to the Koundouriotis family, pieces from the National History Museum of Athens (Jewels, embroidery, sculptures, pottery, paintings).

4. Religious buildings

The island is scattered, from east to west, of religious buildings to visit Hydra, if you like this kind of monument: the church Paraskevi (Agia Paraskevi), the church of Saint Constantin (Ag. Konstantinos), the church of Saint John (Ag. Ioannis), the convent Aggio Efpraxia and the monastery of the Prophet Elias (Profitgia

5. The beaches of Hydra

What to do in Hydra if we have already visited everything? Fucking, of course! Hydra offers beautiful pebble beaches – the ideal, not to turn its beach towel into a sandy pan – and sandy beaches, sometimes very crowded.

The beaches Plakes, Bisti, Paralia Kaminia, Paralia Mpisti, Avlaki, Limnioniza, Agios Nikolaos, Vlychos, Klimaki and Molos are pebble beaches where bathing, in crystalline and turquoise water, which will make it dream more than one.

6. A boat ride

To make the most of the island and its crystal clear waters, what better than a boat ride?

Indeed, rent a boat you will enjoy breathtaking views and access some hidden and less frequented beaches.

Also, having your own small boat gives you the choice to stop where you like to explore the rich seabed all around the island. An unforgettable experience to live with family or friends!

7. Hiking on Mount Eros

Mount Eros is the highest point on the island, 593 metres above sea level. It offers superb views of Hydra, Peloponnese and the nearby islands. The climb is well marked, but the slope is steep. It will take between 1h30 and 2 hours to get there, a lot of water and plan to leave in the morning if you come to visit Hydra in the summer.

How to get to Hydra?

Hydra does not own an airport so if you fly, opt for a destination like Athens for example (thefts to be found on our partner’s website Ulysses ). Like all the small Greek islands, the best way to visit Hydra is to take the ferry. There are many lines crossing to Hydra: from Hermione (Peloponnesis), from the Piraeus of Athens, Poros, Porto Heli (Peloponnesis) and Spetses.

Where to stay in Hydra?

The offer of accommodation to stay in Hydra is abundant: there are a lot of hotels and rooms for rent, accommodation for the living room and small pensions. We recommend sleeping in Hydra on the side of the main city, in Mandraki or in Vlichos. You can find a cheap hotel in Hydra by searching for this Compare hotels or find your happiness Airbnb .

To choose where to stay on the island, don’t hesitate to take a look at our article “ In which town house in Hydra? “