Marooned in the Aegean Sea, Hydra is a postcard-perfect island where you can bask on some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Hydra Town is a maze of cobbled streets lined with beautifully preserved stone mansions, or you can venture out of town to hike along breezy trails and visit ancient monasteries.
Things to do in Hydra
Built around a cobalt-blue harbour, Hydra Town feels like you’re stepping into a Greek postcard. Get lost in the maze of cobbled streets and alleys lined with whitewashed houses. Red tile roofs and brightly painted doors and windows add a splash of colour. Stroll down to the harbour and enjoy lunch at one of the seafood taverns.
The beaches on Hydra are stunning, most fringed by silver pebbles and framed by green hills. Vlichos is a short stroll from Hydra Town and features calm, crystalline water. Kaminia is another popular beach with shallow water and a handful of cafes. Perfect for sunbathing, Spilia Beach swaps pebble sand for smooth rock slabs. Boat tours are a fun way to explore the island and visit some of the most beautiful beaches.
Hydra offers some of the best hiking in Greece, with trails winding across the island and taking you through the countryside. The trail to the Monastery of Prophet Elias if one of the most popular hikes and takes around two hours to complete. From the northern slopes of Mount Eros, you can enjoy spectacular views over Hydra Town and the sparkling Aegean Sea.
Hydra Town is filled with elegant stone mansions built in the 18th century by wealthy merchants. Lazaros Koundouriotis is one of the most beautiful, with a bright yellow façade and sweeping views over the harbour. The mansion has been reimagined as a local history museum and features antiques, artwork and folk costumes.
Getting around Hydra
There are no cars or motorbikes on Hydra. Instead, people walk or use donkeys to get around. Boats are a good way to visit different beaches and ferries run between Hydra and Athens in around two hours.