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    Hydra
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    Hydra

    Hydra is a narrow, rocky island in the Saronic Gulf off the coast of the Peloponnese.

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    7. Attica
    9. Hydra
    Hydra is a narrow, rocky island in the Saronic Gulf off the coast of the Peloponnese. Around the semicircular harbour rise the stone houses and mansions of the shipping families who supplied a large part of the Greek fleet during the War of Independence in 1821. There are no cars or other vehicles on the island; loads are carried by mules and donkeys.
    Island and TownHydra spans approximately 50 square kilometers and has around 2,000 inhabitants, almost all residing in the harbor town on the north coast. The town is a protected architectural ensemble, hence grey stone houses, tiled roofs, and white stepped alleys define its appearance. To the west lie the small settlements of Kamini and Vlychos, to the east is Mandraki Bay, while the island's south is barren and almost uninhabited.Car-FreeNo vehicles are allowed on Hydra, not even scooters or bicycles. You get around on foot, take a water taxi, or have your luggage carried by a mule. This makes the town peaceful but means lots of steps.Travel SeasonThe season runs from Easter until October, with many excursion boats from Athens docking during the day in July and August. Evenings and the off-season are significantly quieter. At the end of June, the island celebrates the Miaoulia festival with a reenacted naval battle and fireworks in the harbor.
    Most life revolves around the harbor and the alleys above, with museums, mansions, and taverns clustered together. The western coastal path links the town to Kamini, Vlychos, and swimming coves reaching Plakes. Southward, trails ascend to the monasteries.

    Sights in Hydra

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Port and Port Promenade
    Νικόλαος Κυριακάκης / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    1Port and Port Promenade

    The Port of Hydra is a semi-circular basin, around which the town ascends amphitheatrically up the hillside. The houses and mansions of grey natural stone with tiled roofs are listed buildings; new constructions must conform. Cafés, tavernas, and shops line the promenade, interspersed with mules and donkeys waiting for luggage and wares.Old cannons still remain on the bastions at the port entrances. Ferries, excursion boats, and water taxis dock here. In the evenings, once the day-trippers have departed, the promenade becomes noticeably quieter.
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    Historical Archives Museum
    Magnus Manske / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
    Museum

    2Historical Archives Museum

    The Historical Archive Museum is located on the east side of the harbor, not far from the ferry dock. It is based on the municipal archive, which preserves documents of seafaring and island administration from the 18th and 19th centuries. The current building was completed in 1996 on the site of its predecessor.The exhibition features portraits of captains and shipowners, ship models, weapons, and costumes from the time of the War of Independence. Among the most famous pieces is a silver urn containing the embalmed heart of Admiral Miaoulis. Concerts are held on the rooftop terrace in the summer.
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    Lazaros Kountouriotis Mansion
    C messier / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Museum

    3Lazaros Kountouriotis Mansion

    The ochre-coloured mansion on the western slope above the harbour was built around 1780 and belonged to the shipowner Lazaros Kountouriotis, who invested a large part of his fortune in the War of Independence of 1821. Since 1979, it has belonged to the Historical and Ethnological Society and is an annex of the National Historical Museum.On the ground floor, furniture, portraits, crockery, and family heirlooms are displayed, while the upper floor features traditional costumes, jewellery, embroideries, and ceramics from various regions of Greece. In the basement, paintings by the artists Periklis and Konstantinos Byzantios are hung. The house is open seasonally from March to October; the ascent from the harbour leads through stepped alleys.
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    Kamini
    C messier / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    4Kamini

    Kamini is a small fishing village about one kilometer west of the harbor. Its name derives from the kilns where roof tiles were once fired here. In the small harbor, colorful wooden boats lie, and fishermen bring their catch directly to the waterside tavernas.Besides an old fortified building, there's a small, sheltered pebble cove with shallow water. From the harbor, you walk along the paved coastal path for about 15 minutes; you can take a water taxi back. The taverna tables face west, and in the evenings, the sun sets over the mountains of the Peloponnese.
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    Cathedral of Mary's Dormition and Church Museum
    C messier / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    5Cathedral of Mary's Dormition and Church Museum

    The Church of the Dormition of Mary is the island's cathedral, located right on the harbour promenade. Its construction dates back to a monastery from 1648 and it was renovated in 1774. From the promenade, an archway with a bell tower leads you into a peaceful, paved courtyard, surrounded by the former monks' cells.Housed within a section of the monastery buildings is the Church Museum, featuring Byzantine icons, liturgical equipment, vestments, and evangelistaries. It is open from April to mid-November, closed on Mondays. When visiting the church, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered.
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    Monastery Profitis Ilias and Agia Efpraxia

    6Monastery Profitis Ilias and Agia Efpraxia

    The Profitis Ilias Monastery lies at around 490 meters on the mountain south of the harbor and was founded in 1813. In 1825, freedom fighter Theodoros Kolokotronis was imprisoned here for four months. The monastery has a library, which was organized in the 19th century.About 300 meters before the destination, a path branches off to the Agia Efpraxia women's monastery, founded in 1821 and renowned for the nuns' handicrafts. The hike from the harbor leads steadily uphill through pine forest and takes one to one and a half hours; alternatively, you can cover part of the way by mule. From the top, you'll gaze over the town, the Saronic Gulf, Dokos island, and the Argolis coast.
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    Restaurants in Hydra

    1

    Xeri Elia Douskos

    The family-run taverna is set on a small square beneath trees, a few streets behind the harbour. Greek classics like Moussaka, Kleftiko, grilled dishes, and fish are served. In the evenings, fairy lights hang over the outdoor tables.
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    2

    Kodylenia's (Kamini)

    The fish taverna, with its terrace, sits directly above Kamini's small harbour, about a 15-minute walk west of the main town. Grilled octopus, prawns in tomato sauce, fresh fish, and salads are served. From the tables, you look out at the fishing boats and west to the mainland.
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    3

    Sunset Restaurant

    The restaurant is situated by the old ramparts at the western end of the harbour, with tables overlooking the water. The cuisine is Mediterranean, focusing on fish and seafood. Its name alludes to the westward view, where the evening sun sets.
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    4

    Téchnē

    The restaurant is situated on the coastal path to Kamini above Avlaki beach, in a 19th-century building that formerly served as a boat workshop. The seasonal menu combines Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, complemented by a cocktail bar. The terrace overlooks the open sea.
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    5

    Veranda

    The restaurant sits on the west slope above the harbor, its bougainvillea terrace overlooking the village roofs and the sea. The menu blends Greek and Italian dishes. The railing tables are popular for sunset.
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    Eating and Drinking on Hydra

    Many residents are fishermen, so the catch of the day often takes centre stage in the taverns by the harbour and in Kamini.

    Amygdalota

    The almond sweets are the island's most famous product. They consist of ground almonds, sugar, egg white, and rose water, are shaped by hand into small pears or drops and rolled in powdered sugar. Small bakeries by the harbor make them themselves.

    The Day's Catch

    The fishermen from Hydra and Kamini deliver directly to the taverns. Fish is usually grilled and served with lemon and olive oil, charged by weight. It's best to ask for the price per kilo before ordering.
    Octopus and Calamari
    Lourakis / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Octopus and Calamari

    Grilled octopus, fried calamari, and shrimp in tomato sauce feature on almost every waterfront menu. Octopus often hangs to dry in front of tavernas before it hits the grill. Pair with bread and a glass of Ouzo.

    Ouzo and Meze

    At the port, order small plates with olives, tzatziki, fava, and salads to go with your Ouzo. Many cafés and bars along the promenade serve Meze until late in the evening. Ouzo is usually drunk with water and ice, which makes it cloudy.

    History and Culture of Hydra

    Shipowners and RevolutionIn the 18th century, the barren island grew rich through merchant shipping, its captains building the mansions that still define the townscape today. In the War of Independence of 1821, Hydra provided around 150 ships. Admiral Andreas Miaoulis deployed fireships against the Ottoman fleet, while shipowner Lazaros Kountouriotis financed the struggle with his fortune.Artists' IslandFrom the 1950s, Hydra attracted painters, writers, and musicians. Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen lived here in the 1960s and, among other works, wrote Bird on the Wire on the island. Australian authors Charmian Clift and George Johnston also resided here. The Athens School of Fine Arts maintains an annex in the Tombazis Mansion, and in summer, galleries showcase contemporary art.FestivalsThe Miaoulia, held in the last week of June, commemorates the naval victories of 1821 with a reenactment of the sea battle, featuring a ship model being burned in the harbor. At Easter, processions wind through the alleys, and on Good Friday in Kamini, they extend into the water.

    Nightlife

    1

    The Pirate Bar

    This bar on the harbour corner has been open since 1976. By day, it's a café serving breakfast; by evening, cocktails are mixed. From the tables, you overlook the promenade and the boats coming and going.
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    2

    Amalour

    Located in an alley behind the harbor's east side, the cocktail bar features music from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Jazz. On summer evenings, it gets busy with dancing.
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    Getting to and around Hydra

    Getting ThereHydra has no airport; the closest is Athens. From Piraeus, high-speed catamarans depart several times daily, with the journey taking between just over one and two hours, depending on stops in Poros. If driving, head to Metochi on the Peloponnese, leave your car there, and take a passenger boat across in about 20 minutes.On Foot and By MuleNo vehicles are allowed on the island. In town, you walk along paved stepped alleyways; sturdy footwear is recommended. At the harbour, mules and donkeys await to carry luggage to your accommodation or take you up to the monasteries.Water Taxis and BoatsWater taxis operate from the harbour to the bays and coastal settlements, such as Kamini, Vlychos, Plakes, or Mandraki. In summer, small boats also shuttle to the swimming coves. A paved coastal path leads to Kamini and Vlychos, a walk of 15 to 35 minutes.

    Day Trips from Hydra

    Spetses

    Neighboring Spetses, further south in the Argolic Gulf, is quickly reached by catamaran. It too was a shipping island in the War of Independence. Captain Laskarina Bouboulina, whose house is a museum, is famous. Unlike on Hydra, motor scooters and carriages are used there.

    Poros

    Poros lies north of Hydra and is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow canal. Most catamarans to Piraeus stop there. From the clock tower above the harbor, you look down on the town and the opposite coast of Galatas.

    Ermionida and Peloponnese

    From the fishing village of Metochi, opposite Hydra, roads lead to Ermioni and further into the Argolis. With a car parked on the mainland, you can reach the ancient Theatre of Epidauros and Nafplio from there. For a day trip, an early departure on the first boat is recommended.

    Accommodations in Hydra

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    Nearby

    Ancient Epidauros

    Ancient Epidauros

    Ancient Epidaurus refers to two sites, twelve kilometers apart: the coastal village of Palea Epidavros on the Saronic Gulf and the Asklepieion inland, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. For centuries, this sanctuary was the most important healing center in the Greek world. Predominantly preserved is the theater from the 4th century BC, whose acoustics still work without technical amplification today.
    Sounion

    Sounion

    On Attica's southernmost point, the majestic Temple of Poseidon thrones over the Aegean Sea, offering spectacular sunsets and ancient grandeur.
    Nafplio

    Nafplio

    Nafplio lies on Argolis' east coast, on the Argolian Gulf, some 140 kilometers southwest of Athens. From 1823 to 1834, it served as the first capital of independent Greece, having previously seen Venetians and Ottomans alternately rule its port. The city retains three fortresses, a compact old town of Venetian and neoclassical houses, and a scenic rock path encircling the peninsula.
    Plaka

    Plaka

    Plaka is the Old Town of Athens, situated on the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. Narrow alleys, neoclassical townhouses, and small Byzantine churches characterize the district, which stretches between Syntagma and Monastiraki. Adrianou Street divides it into Upper Plaka, directly below the Acropolis Rock, and Lower Plaka.
    Monastiraki and Psyrri

    Monastiraki and Psyrri

    Monastiraki is the market and flea market district of Athens' Old Town, named after the small monastic church of Pantanassa on the square of the same name. To its north lies Psyrri, a former artisan quarter, where today tavernas, bars, and workshops are densely packed. Both districts are lively until late into the night.