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Hydra

Lazaros Kountouriotis Historical Mansion

Bisti Beach

Saint Nicholas Beach

Spilia Beach

Vlychos Beach

Hydra during sunset

Historical Archive Museum of Hydra

Hydra

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Greece

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Hydra Travel Essentials

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4.4 /5 Rate This Destination

Weather:

Ideal duration: 1 - 2 days

Best Time: Jun - Sep Read More

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"Greece's Motor Free Island Idyll"

Hydra Tourism

Hydra is a small saronic island located just south of Athens in Greece. This car-free island is known for its rich history, magnificent port surrounding cute little cafes, hungry cats, and dramatic white-orange roofed house sitting on the island slopes. It is also one of the most romantic destinations in Greece.

Due to its close proximity to Athens, Hydra is a prominent one-day or a weekend destination. The island is pretty small and lacks modern architecture. Hydra harbour is the most crowded with a pleasant view while backstreets are less crowded with crumbling mansions, colourful doors decorated with bougainvillaea, sleeping and maze-like cobbled narrow lanes. Hydra is built in the shape of an amphitheatre overlooking the Argosaronic gulf.

There are plenty of hiking trails up the hills that lead up to amazing viewpoints but walking along the coastal path all the way to Kamini beach is the best stroll of the island. Some of the best things to experience in Hydra are the town's history through historical tours, Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion, the Historical Archives Museum and other museums. Rafalias Pharmacy is also an interesting and beautiful historic establishment to witness on Hydra.

Donkeys as mode of transportation: Instead of cars, mules and donkeys are used as a mode of transportation throughout Hydra.
Horse Riding: Exploring Hydra on horseback is an amazing experience. The most popular trip is along the coastal path to Kamini, Vlychos, and Plakes, taking about two hours and charging 60 euros per person.
Restaurants and cafes open somewhere between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM to operate till midnight.
For fresh seafood, restaurants should be preferred over cafés, as cafés serve frozen seafood, while restaurants do not have a fixed menu, as they serve what they get fresh on a given day.
Shops and supermarkets are open in the morning till 11:00 Pm at night, depending on the location.

Things To Do In Hydra

Spilia Beach

Historical Archives Museum of Hydra

Lazaros Kountouriotis Historical Mansion

Bisti Beach

Sunset in Hydra

Hiking in Hydra

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Top Hotels In Hydra

Hotel Sophia

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Cactus Hydra - Art Apartments

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FOS Hydra residence

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Cotommatae Hydra 1810

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Orloff Boutique Hotel

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More on Hydra Travel

Shopping in Hydra

There are plenty of boutiques, shops, super markets spread across the town and at the harbour. They sell clothing, jewellery, souvenirs, beauty products and other services. Olive oil in Hydra is famous and can be bought in souvenir packs. Other famous souvenirs include natural products such as olive oil based soaps, shampoos, conditioners, scrubs, and masks. You can also shop for products like lokum, baklava, bottles of local wines, retsina, cognac metaxa, anise vodka ouzo, and grape vodka grappa. Local komboloi, greek beads are also an interesting souvenir to be taken home.

Nightlife in Hydra

Hydra has lively nightlife with plenty of bars and clubs that are located around the port. The island serves the tourists with both sophisticated taste for music and those who love to chill out all night dancing on loud music. These bars and clubs open mostly in the evenings till early hours. Few bars have live music some nights or events like Full-Moon parties or DJ nights other nights. The port becomes like a huge party in the night where people keep hopping from one evening bar to another.

History of Hydra

The first inhabitants of Hydra are believed to be Mycenaeans. During Ottoman rule, the Turks showed little interest in the island because of its water shortage, hence it became a powerful merchant fleet in the 17th century. In 1792, Plague reduced the population of the island significantly, and the ones who survived fled Hydra. Due to its commercial fleet doing business with all of Greece along with France, Spain, and America, the island became powerful and prosperous in the 18th century. With fear of attack from the Ottoman, inhabitants of Hydra used their money to fortify the port with bastions of cannon. They played an important part during the Greek war of Independence. After World War II, Hydra saw a decline in economy. In the 1950s, the island became a central location for artists like Cohen. Many movies like the Boy on a dolphin were shot in Hydra.

Suggested Itinerary for Hydra

Start by exploring the port and heading towards the coastal path to Kamini beach where one can have a refreshing swim. Walk towards Vlychos and kastello beach to swim and soak in the sun. Return to port to witness the amazing landscape. As an alternative to walk towards Kamini, one can visit Lazaros Kountouriotis Historical Mansion, the Historical Archives Museum and other museums along with Rafalias Pharmacy.