Hydra - an Island in the Saronic Gulf of Greece

Why go to Hydra?: Hydra, despite being a haven for day trippers out of Athens and a frequented tourist resort, has a picturesque port and seems to absorb its tourists well. It's also a haven for artists, and no cars are allowed anywhere on the island. Donkeys at the port will take your bags up the steep slopes to your hotel.

Location of Hydra Island: Hydra is located in heart of the Saronic Gulf,close to the islands of Spestses and Poros.

Getting to Hydra: You can take the ferry from Athens port of Pireus to Hydra in about 3 hours, at a one-way cost of under 7 euros (see our transportation links on the right). You can do a round trip with stops at Aegina, Methena or Poros. You can also take the faster hydrofoils, the Flying Dolphins, which take only 45 minutes. From Hydra you can take a flying Dolphin to the island of Spetses or the town of Nafplion, where there is a great castle.

Hydra Attractions:

Hydra is one of my favorite little ports to visit. Combine it with a trip to other Saronic Gulf Islands, and you'll have yourself a nice couple of days vacation.

Hydra Town claims to have 365 churches. You might want to visit the 18th-century Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on the waterfront, which gets much of its charm from it's marble building blocks scavenged from the Temple of Poseidon on nearby Poros.

I like to just pick a dusty taverna in the center of town, get a plate of olives and a glass of retsina and stare out at the sea. It's not that I'm all that fond of retsina, but drinking it is one of those rituals I need to get my bearings and convince myself I'm finally in Greece.

Beaches

The only recommended beach near Hydra Town is Mandraki, a 20-minute walk east of town, but there are others if you follow the paths out of town to the east or the west. A walk up the hill gets you good views of Hydra Town (see our picture gallery).

Nightlife

There is plenty of nightlife in Hydra Town in the summer as Hydra is populated by young Athenians then.

Pictures of Hydra Town

See our Hydra Picture Gallery

Pictures of Greece

See our Greek Photo Gallery