🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Hydra lies in the Saronic Gulf, opposite the coast of the Peloponnese, between Poros and Spetses. Fast boats from Piraeus take about an hour and a half to two hours, so it is one of the easiest islands for a day trip from Athens.
📍 Where Hydra is
Hydra lies in the Saronic Gulf, opposite the coast of the Peloponnese. The island is shown in red, and Piraeus and the fast boat route in green.
🗺️ The map of the island
Hydra is long and narrow, with bare mountains. Almost everyone lives in the town, around the harbour on the north coast. On the island there are no cars or scooters, apart from a few municipal vehicles. You get around on foot, by donkey or by water taxi, which takes you to the beaches.
🗺️ Map of Hydra
The town and the harbour are on the north coast. To the west, a path along the sea leads to Kamini and Vlychos, and further on, by boat, is Bisti. The red line shows the coastal walking route. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Jean-Baptiste d’Anville, after André Thevet (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Hydra is an island for strolling, history and quiet days. It is not an island for big sandy beaches. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- Close to Athens, even for a day.
- No cars, quiet and clean.
- One of the most beautiful harbours in Greece.
- Mansions, museums and a great naval history.
- Lovely trails for walking.
👎 The cons
- Few beaches, most of them pebbly.
- Expensive, especially for food and rooms.
- Lots of steps and uphill lanes.
- Crowded at midday with cruise visitors.
⚓ The harbour and the mansions
The harbour is the heart of Hydra, with cafés, tavernas and stone houses climbing the slopes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the captains of Hydra grew rich from trade and built large mansions. In the War of Independence of 1821, their ships, with admirals such as Andreas Miaoulis, fought at sea.
See the Historical Archives Museum, on the harbour, and the mansion of Lazaros Kountouriotis, which is now a museum. On the harbour there is also the Metropolis monastery with its clock tower, and at each end the old cannons. In the 1960s artists lived here, among them Leonard Cohen.
The heart of the island.
The harbour like an amphitheatre.
Now a museum.
A museum on the harbour.
At the entrance to the harbour.
No cars here.
An engraving by Castellan.
Photos: Nikolaos Kyriakakis (CC BY-SA 4.0), Julien Seguinot (CC BY-SA 2.0), C messier (CC BY-SA 4.0), Magnus Manske (CC BY-SA 3.0), MM (Public domain), Castellan (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
At the end of June, Hydra celebrates the Miaoulia, in honour of Andreas Miaoulis, with events and the burning of a fireship in the harbour.
🥾 Walks and trails
From the town, a path along the sea leads west to Kamini, a small fishing village with tavernas, and then to Vlychos, with beaches. It is an easy walk with lovely views.
For something harder, climb to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, on the mountain above the town. The climb takes about an hour, and from the top the view reaches the Peloponnese.
A fishing village next to the town.
At the end of the coastal path.
The monastery above the town.
Worth the climb.
Photos: User:Jpatokal (CC BY-SA 4.0), C messier (CC BY-SA 4.0), Julien Maury (Public domain), Julien Seguinot (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏊 Where to swim
Hydra does not have many beaches, but its water is clean. In the town, at Spilia and Hydronetta, you swim off the rocks. To the west are Vlychos and Plakes, with pebbles, and to the east Mandraki. At the western tip of the island, Bisti and Agios Nikolaos have turquoise water, and you get there by boat from the harbour.
Swimming off the rocks, in town.
Pebbles and tavernas.
An organised beach.
By boat from the harbour.
Photos: dronepicr (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
At the harbour you will find water taxis to all the beaches. In summer, boats also go to the more distant ones, such as Bisti. If you want to come back late, book in advance.
🍽️ What to eat
Hydra is famous for its amygdalota, small pear-shaped almond sweets dusted with icing sugar. In the tavernas of the harbour, Kamini and Vlychos you can eat fresh fish and seafood.
📅 When to go
The best time is from April to June and in September and October: good weather for walking and fewer people. In July and August it is very hot for the steps and prices go up. If you go for a day, pick a weekday.
⛴️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast boat | About 1.5–2 hours | Piraeus | The easiest way, with daily departures. |
| Car and water taxi | About 3 hours + 15 minutes | Metochi, on the Peloponnese opposite | You leave the car at Metochi. |
From Ioulianou 50 you reach Piraeus on Line 1, right to the port. For ports and ferries, read our guide to the ferries, and for the other Saronic islands our guide to the Saronic islands.
🗓️ Three days on Hydra
The harbour and the museums
A walk around the harbour, the Historical Archives and the Kountouriotis mansion. A swim at Spilia and sunset by the cannons.
The coastal path
A walk to Kamini and Vlychos, a swim and lunch there, and back by water taxi.
Mountain or sea
In the morning a climb to Profitis Ilias, or a boat to Bisti and Agios Nikolaos.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go for a day?
Yes. With the first fast boat in the morning and the last one in the afternoon, you have enough hours for the harbour, a museum, a walk and a swim.
Where should I stay on Hydra?
In town, near the harbour, so you do not carry suitcases up the steps. In Kamini or Vlychos, for peace by the sea.
How do I carry my luggage?
Porters with donkeys or trolleys wait at the harbour. Many hotels send someone to help you.
How many days do I need?
One day for a first taste. Two to three days to walk, swim and see the island without rushing.
— Kathy
