Hydra Island Travel Guide

  Hydra street scene.
by cachaseiro
 
  • Hydra street scene.
      Hydra street scene.
    by cachaseiro
  • Fishing boat from Hydra.
      Fishing boat from Hydra.
    by cachaseiro
  • Another cat from Hydra.
      Another cat from Hydra.
    by cachaseiro
  • Cudleing with my little friend.
      Cudleing with my little friend.
    by cachaseiro
  •   Hydra Island
    by jeanx58
 

Pro

hydronetta profile photo

 solitude, unique architecture 


Con

mtncorg profile photo

 Hectic around the harbor in day, expensive, limited accomodation 


In a nutshell

planxty profile photo

 So why exactly do you need a car? 

 

Explore Hydra Island

Things to Do  

Mandraki

Mandraki, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  Mandraki bay is the last cove before Hydra’s port. It used to be the old military port but today is just an organized beach with a hotel etcYou cant really find many sand beaches on Hydra so many people like it here because of this. I’ve been there about 20 years before and... 

Kamini

Kamini, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  This is an easy doable walking trail, just take the coastal path on the far right end of the port and you’ll be at Kamini in no more than 20’. There are some nice houses and mansions, it seems that it is a very peaceful area with a small pebble beach (pic 2) and a lot of... 

Vlichos

Vlichos, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  After visiting the upper town of Hydra we took the road that brought us to Vlichos.We first saw a small stone bridge (pic 1) and in 2’ we were at the village. It is full of life during the summer months, there are some small hotels and restaurants but it was off season when... 

old farmacy

old farmacy, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  If you visit the Kountouriotis mansion don’t miss this farmacy at the square before you start to climb up the steps to the mansion.This traditional neoclassical structure houses the oldest farmacy of the island that operates here since the end of 19th century (1890 according... 

monument WWII

monument WWII, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  I was surprised when I saw this monument that has a brass plate with a name of local man that excelled in the navy of Argentina!! I made a small research after I returned back home and I found that Nicolas Jorje(his greek name was Nikolaos Kolmaniatis) was ancestor of... 

Upperside of Hydra town

Upperside of Hydra town, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  If you want to visit the upper side of the town just walk into the road right next to the cathedral. This paved road will lead you not only to the Koundouriotis mansion but also if you walk a bit more to the old part of the town that was called Kiafa. We didn’t have any... 

Art exhibition at Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion

Art exhibition at Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  After seeing the house we went down to the basement (included in the admission ticket) where we saw the painting collection of Periklis and his son Konstantinos Vizantios. Periklis Vizantios(1893-1972) was in love with the island and that’s why he has many paintings with... 

Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion

Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  The Mansion of Lazaros Koundouriotis is a typical exable of Hydra architecture style. It was built at the end of 18th century when the island was really in economic boom because of the navy advantage of the island. L.Koundouriotis spent all his life in Hydra and it was this... 

Byzantine Museum

Byzantine Museum, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  Inside the monastery of Assumption after visiting the cathedral you can also check the small Byzantine Museum. It’s located at the first floor and houses some religious items like icons, clothes and other items, many from 18the century, although if you’re not really into... 

Cathedral of the Assumption

Cathedral of the Assumption, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  The cathedral of Hydra was built in 1774 and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Kimisi Tis Theotoku in greek).It’s not huge but big enough. We stood there for a while checking the chandeliers, the paintings and we lighted a candle, no pics allowed inside but... 

Hotels  

Mistral Hotel Hydra Island

 5 Reviews and 185 Opinions  Refitted mansion (the island has a strong naval history; many of these large houses were built by... 

Phaedra Hotel

 122 Opinions

Restaurants  

Garden Of Taste Taverna, Hydra: Avoid At All Costs

Garden Of Taste Taverna, Hydra: Avoid At All Costs, Hydra Island

 kennyledzep Says:  Was "hooked" into the restaurant by mouthy waiter promising "best food on Hydra", my starter arrived 10 minutes before my wife's. Despite questioning this, no apology offered."Fish of the Day" was a skinny little thing, mainly bones, not fresh and cost € 20.This place ought... 

Sunset: Clifftop romance

Sunset: Clifftop romance, Hydra Island

 londonbabe Says:  The Sunset would be a typical Greek resort restaurant, were it not for its position perched on the cliffs next to Hydra Town. Food is good, but avoid the fish - VERY overpriced. Go for the view, and the next night find a back-street taverna for cheaper wonderful fish.When we... 

Cristina Manolis Taverna: It's very good, I should know!

Cristina Manolis Taverna: It's very good, I should know!, Hydra Island

 planxty Says:  There are undoubtedly many very good restaurants on Hydra, they wouldn't survive otherwise. We happened upon this place, purely by chance, whilst looking for a coffee one morning. As is the local custom apparently (my ex-girlfriend was Greek) she just wandered into the... 

Nightlife  

Hydronetta Bar: Sunsets, good music and friendly staff

Hydronetta Bar: Sunsets, good music and friendly staff, Hydra Island

 londonbabe Says:  The Hydronetta, just underneath the Sunset Restaurant, is perfectly placed to catch the dying rays of the Greek sun. Grab a little table on the terrace at the edge of the cliff, order a beer, and relax as the music accompanies the sun on its journey below the mountains of... 

Amalour Bar: Great music, even better people watching

Amalour Bar: Great music, even better people watching, Hydra Island

 londonbabe Says:  In the centre of Hydra, a minute from the port, the bar itself is converted from an old merchants house, and the tables and chairs spill out down the pathway. The music is excellent - great selection of jazz CDs and apparently they have live music from time to time, probably... 

Transportation  

how to move around

how to move around, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  In case you don’t know there are no cars in Hydra island! And no bikes, not even bicycle rentals :) You can only see some the garbage tracks but the only way for you to move around is to use your feet :) Hydra town is not very big but you have to climb up a lot of steps. Of... 

how to go there

how to go there, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  Hydra is located 45miles south of Pireaus.1)Some years before we used the regular ferries from Piraeus to go there because they were very cheap. Unfortunately there don’t operate to Hydra anymore.2)so you have to use the hydrofoils, they are faster (the trip lasts 90’) but... 

Shopping  

Hydra Town: jewelry

Hydra Town: jewelry, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  There are many gift shops with the usual crap, magnets and other souvenirs but you can skip them and buy a painting that shows a corner of the island but that will be more expensive. In some monasteries you can find handcrafts made my the nuns.Of course you can even spend... 

Favorites  

Hydra is the islands of cats.

Hydra is the islands of cats., Hydra Island

 cachaseiro Says:  Because Hydra has no cars there is a huge number of cats and they seem to sleep on every staircase and walk around every restaurant table.I totally adore cats and the huge number og cats is one of the reasons why i keep coming back to Hydra. 

donkeys

donkeys, Hydra Island

 mindcrime Says:  It’s no surprise that Hydra island is picturesque because there are no cars and motorcycles around. While other greek islands are full of bikers here you see only the lazy donkeys! These friendly creatures carry around the people to their homes but also all the supplies... 

Comments

Map of Hydra Island