20 BEST Things To Do In Hydra Island (2024)

Hydra Island (or Ydra or Idra) is a surprising Greek island off the mainland coast. With no vehicles and a super setting, shedding monitor of all time on this Saronic gem is straightforward. Spend your time alongside the coast on the Fort of Mandraki or in Kamini, get misplaced purchasing in Hydra City, or hike to Profitis Ilias Monastery. Hydra is small however packs many issues to do for all guests. It’s the right island in Greece to loosen up, get pleasure from just a few scrumptious meals, and luxuriate in all the attractive seashores.

You can simply go to for someday and really feel happy, or keep a complete week and by no means get bored. Nonetheless lengthy you keep, we promise you gained’t be disillusioned!

The place is Hydra?

Hydra, pronounced Ýdra (like ee-dra), is a part of the Saronic Islands group of Greece and top-of-the-line locations to go to within the nation. It’s separated from the Peloponnese by a slim strip of water and takes lower than one hour by way of ferry to get to from the mainland.

It’s a well-liked Greek Island to go to, particularly with Athenians, since it’s only a quick day journey away from Athens. Hydra is a scenic island well-known for its artsy scene, many galleries, whitewashed homes, and lack of motorized autos.

Sure, you learn that proper. The one inner combustion autos on the island are the few city-owned vehicles and a fireplace truck. Apart from that, you’ll have to stroll, take a donkey, or sea taxi to get round Hydra. We visited Hydra this previous summer season. It was the fifteenth Greek Island we had visited, shortly turning into considered one of our favorites.

E-book a tour from Athens: Day Journey – Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch

How one can Get to Hydra

Earlier than we dive into the perfect issues to do in Hydra, let’s focus on transport. So far as Greek Islands go, Hydra is fairly straightforward to get to, due to its fast, direct ferries from Athens. There are frequent ferries day by day between Piraeus and Hydra that take two hours. There are additionally slower ferries which can be a bit cheaper. It’s finest to test Ferry Hopper to see ferry schedules.

These ferries will guide up within the warmth of summer season, so it’s finest to guide on-line beforehand. All ferries will drop you off in Hydra City. If you happen to aren’t close to Athens, you may also catch a ferry from mainland Greece on the ports of Ermioni and Porto Cheli through the excessive season. That is what we did as we had a automobile on the mainland, and leaving from Ermioni, we had been in a position to depart our automobile parked on the mainland.

Getting Round Hydra

As talked about, there aren’t any motorized autos or sorts of transportation on Hydra. This implies no vehicles, no mopeds, no quads. Getting round the primary harbor is straightforward on foot. If you wish to discover the island, you’ll have to rent a donkey or boat taxi from Hydra city.

The Greatest Issues to do in Hydra

Admire The Captains’ Mansions of Hydra

Many sea captains lived on the island of Hydra, and their good-looking salaries allowed them to construct lavish mansions, a lot of which had been donated to varied organizations that keep them. 

As you enter the harbor space, you’ll discover the Tsamadou Mansion to the left. A bit of The Athens College of Advantageous Arts is housed in The Tombazis Mansion. The previous mansion of Lazaros and George Kountouriotis is a part of the Nationwide Museum of Historical past. 

A number of different mansions, together with Voulgaris, Miaoulis, and Boudouris, are dwelling to collections of vintage furnishings. If somebody is round a property, ask if you happen to can have a peek. You by no means know, they might supply a tour!

Attend the Miaoulia Pageant

The Miaoulia Pageant is without doubt one of the greatest occasions on Hydra and unofficially marks the beginning of summer season. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Hydra. This vibrant pageant takes place in June and options historic re-enactments, conventional dance exhibits, musical performances, naval fireworks, lectures, sporting occasions, parades, artwork displays, and tributes to notable neighborhood members. 

There are numerous areas on the island to benefit from the pageant, but it surely’s principally round the primary village. If you happen to can’t attend all the pageant, test the schedule and plan your itinerary so you’ll be able to see as many distinctive occasions as doable. The pageant is free!

Kick Again at Hydronetta Seashore Cafe

You can say that Hydronetta Seashore Cafe is extraordinary. It’s definitely not like any odd cafe, and spending a day there is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Hydra! For one, what number of cafes have you ever been to the place you’ll be able to stroll down just a few steps and swim within the Mediterranean Sea?

For a caffeine jolt earlier than you head out on the day’s journey, attempt a Freddo Cappuccino. Afternoons in Hydra get extremely popular, and Hydronetta is a good place to loosen up within the breeze whereas sipping a well-known peach Daiquiri.

At sundown, sit exterior with a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine because the solar slips beneath the waves and dwell jazz music fills the air.

The meals is nice too! Suppose scrumptious salads and native delicacies reminiscent of octopus, locally-caught fish, and parfaits.   For a soothing day, spend a complete day at Hydronetta sipping espresso, consuming cocktails, swimming, assembly locals, and listening to dwell music. 

Location: Mandrakiou-Molou, Idra, Hydra City 18040

Price: Costs range relying on what you order, however the worth vary ranges from €4 for a drink to €35 for a delicacy. 

Catch a Present at Hydrama Theatre & Arts Centre

Top-of-the-line methods to expertise Greek tradition is thru theater. The Hydrama Theatre showcases fashionable theatrical and dance performances in a surprising venue on a plot of land overlooking the ocean. 

The theatre is positioned beneath the Mycenaean Settlement in Vlychos, and through July and August, performances are free.

Go for a Dip within the Mediterranean Sea

If there’s one factor you need to do whereas in Hydra, it’s swim within the Mediterranean Sea. There’s no scarcity of gorgeous seashores with beautiful surroundings. In close by Spilia and Hydronetta, there are swimming platforms you can dive or leap off. 

Avlaki Seashore is barely 100 meters from the island’s foremost city. You’ll discover Kamini, Vlychos, and Plakes Seashores simply south of city. Bisti, Agios Nikolaos, and Limnionizia Seashores are additional down the coast. 

For some added journey, take a water taxi to Bisti Seashore and luxuriate in a few of the finest snorkeling. You’ll discover Mandraki Bay, which is Hydra’s solely sandy seashore, north of the primary city. Just about all alongside the coast, you will discover incredible locations to swim! Put money into some water footwear as a result of a lot of the seashores are rocky. Lots of the outlets round city promote them. 

Take a Stroll Alongside the Coast to Beautiful Kamini

Heading west from Hydra Harbour is a coastal path resulting in the fishing village of Kamini. The stroll takes about quarter-hour, and alongside the best way, you’ll see beautiful vistas, a historic windmill, and a statue of a boy on a dolphin. The village is straight away recognizable by the colourful boats within the harbor.

As you discover Kamini, you’ll discover a small seashore close to an outdated fortification and a number of other eateries and outlets. The trail is west of Hydra Harbour, and Kamini is a 15-minute stroll alongside the coast if you happen to maintain strolling alongside the coast previous Kamini to succeed in the seashores of Vlychos and Plakes. 

Embark on a Horseback Using Journey 

An attention-grabbing reality about Hydra is the island doesn’t have any vehicles. You’re probably conscious of the water taxis, however chances are you’ll surprise how individuals get round on land. Effectively, they’ve a number of options to this dilemma, one being using donkeys, horses, and mules.     

At Harriet’s Hydra Horses, Harriet Jarman provides ten totally different excursions that final from half-hour to eight hours. Some in style journeys embody Agios Fotini Monastery and City and St. Konstantinos.  

Excursions vary from €25 to €175 relying on the size and kind of tour you select.  For one thing totally different out of your typical horseback driving journey, go for the tour that lets you go swimming together with your horse.

Hang around with Some Pleasant Cats

There’s a motive Hydra is sometimes called The Island of Cats. There’s a lot of cats roaming round, notably close to the harbor, the place they’ll get a straightforward feed of fish.

Whereas many are feral, they’re fairly pleasant, and most will assist you to give them a pet. A good way to hang around with the island’s cats is to take a stroll round the primary city close to the place the boats are available in.  

Residents and a charity group known as Hydra Ark take care of the cats, and you’ll even volunteer to assist throughout your keep.

Deal with Your self to One thing Particular at Techne Restaurant

Laid again however subtle. Fashionable, however classic. Techne is a world of contrasts, however if you happen to’re on the lookout for an incredible meal, that is the place to be. Its location is sufficient to attract you in. A historic constructing on Avlaki Seashore with a beautiful courtyard with tables beneath palm bushes. 

Conventional Greek and Mediterranean recipes with a contemporary spin made with solely the freshest components accessible are on the menu. Aegean sea bass, beef rib, a variety of starters, salads, and pasta dishes are only a sampling of what’s accessible. 

Menu objects price between €7 and €32, and it’s price attempting at the least one of many scrumptious signature cocktails, together with the favored Aegean Breeze.

Go to the Prophet Elias Monastery

To go to the Prophet Elias Monastery, you’ll have to do some work. Simply consider the 12-mile trek up Mount Eros as your steps for the day, and apart from, the beautiful views will take your thoughts off the climb so long as you begin early within the morning to beat the noon warmth.

At 1,640 toes above sea degree, you’ll discover the attractive monastery and its cobblestone environment, gardens, and artwork. The Agia Efpraxia Nunnery can also be positioned on Mount Eros. Simply observe the indicators!

See the Island from a Boat

One other method to see the island is from a ship, and Alma Libre Each day Cruises sails from the Hydra Port day by day. You may embark on a personal six-hour cruise of the waters surrounding the island in a conventional Greek boat.

You’ll go to Zourva Lighthouse, Dokos Island, and plenty of seashores, together with Mandraki and Bisti Seashores throughout this cruise. Snacks and drinks, together with beer and wine, are included. Excursions are €133 per grownup and depart from Hydra’s foremost port.

Discover Leonard Cohen’s Home

Sure, it’s true. The late nice Leonard Cohen as soon as lived on the island of Hydra. Climb a number of flights of stairs and wander via some again alleys to search out Leonard Cohen Road and the three-story whitewashed dwelling. If you wish to discover it shortly, it’s finest to ask somebody for instructions as it may be exhausting to search out.

Go to the Historic Archives Museum

A good way to study Hydra’s historical past is to go to the Historic Archives Museum. That is the place you’ll discover many donated objects of cultural and historic significance, together with artworks, paperwork, and artifacts. The fee is €5 per individual.

Take a Day Journey to Dokos Island

If you wish to get away from Hydra for the day with out touring too far, the small island of Dokos, which is barely 2.5 miles away, is a good alternative. Accessible solely by water taxi. As soon as there, you’ll have entry to seashores and the stays of outdated settlements courting again to the thirteenth century BC. 

The water taxi from Hydra Harbour to Dokos prices €90, so it’s finest to seize a gaggle and go collectively to share the prices. Think about a hike to the best a part of the island and benefit from the spectacular views. 

Be Among the many First to See the Morning’s Catch

Fishing is a large a part of life on the island of Hydra. Regardless of this, there aren’t any fish markets on the island. As an alternative, the fishermen pull their boats as much as the wharf and show their catch for anybody who needs to purchase one thing contemporary from the ocean on the Hydra Harbor. If you’d like an opportunity to take a look at the scene, head right here early within the morning.

Discover the Again Streets of Hydra City

Hydra City is laid out in order that it’s enjoyable to discover. With so many little alleys, again roads, and steps resulting in little nooks on hills, you by no means know what you’ll discover alongside the best way. The most effective half is you gained’t have to fret about visitors as a result of there aren’t any vehicles. Simply quaint pedestrian streets with colourful homes, little cafes, and outlets tucked away in random locations. 

Don’t set an itinerary, go for a stroll and get misplaced. It’s solely a small place, and you discover essentially the most attention-grabbing issues while you get misplaced!

Rent a Donkey as a Tour Information

The opposite methodology of transportation round Hydra is by donkey. Give your drained toes a relaxation and hire a donkey to take you across the city. You’ll tour some again roads earlier than returning to your start line. You may see the donkeys on the steps at Alpha Financial institution in Hydra City. A 15-minute experience prices €15. 

Hike to the Greek Flag

On the left aspect of city, there’s a Greek flag on high of a hill, and plenty of guests prefer to problem themselves to hike up this steep hill to succeed in this flag. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Hydra. On the best way up, you’ll discover a number of viewing platforms the place you’ll be able to relaxation and admire the surroundings.  You’ll get pleasure from much more beautiful views of the harbor and city if you happen to attain the highest.  

To start out, discover the steep white steps on the left aspect of the harbor. Take a proper on the first t-junction and the subsequent set of stairs you see, and maintain climbing! Be sure to put on correct strolling or climbing footwear.

Pay Homage to Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen has a lot admired on Hydra Island, and the area people paid tribute to him with a particular bench product of wooden and stone. It overlooks the ocean to the left aspect of the primary harbor.

Discover the Fairly Village of Vlichos

One other picturesque fishing village price visiting close to Hydra City is Vlichos. Take a stroll alongside the path to succeed in it and get an genuine Greek expertise away from the crowds of the primary harbor. Get pleasure from a beautiful seashore and delightful surroundings throughout your go to. 

That is only a 15-minute stroll alongside the trail from Hydra City. Celebrities and well-known artists love to hang around within the tiny villages of Hydra, and Vlichos is a well-liked one, so maintain a watch out!

The place to Keep on Hydra

We stayed at Hydra Icons, only a quick stroll away from Hydra Port, and cherished it. The property was lovely and fashionable and had essentially the most superb personal terrace (see above). It was our favourite spot to benefit from the sundown on Hydra!

When is the Greatest Time to Go to Hydra?

The most effective time to go to Hydra is between June and September. I notably love visiting Greece in June and September when the temperatures are decrease, and the crowds aren’t at their peak. Many of the images on this article had been taken in July.

When is the Greatest Time to Go to the Greek Islands?

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