Hardly any other island in the Saronic Gulf has such a distinctive silhouette as Hydra. Set against the steep, barren mountain slopes, an amphitheatre of natural stone houses nestles around a crescent-shaped harbour – a sight that has fascinated sailors, artists and travellers alike for centuries.
Even the approach to the town is one of the most beautiful in Greece. Beyond the narrow harbour entrance, an almost circular harbour basin opens up, lined with stately captains’ houses, cafés and tavernas. Donkeys, water taxis and the clatter of carts being pulled over cobblestones define the atmosphere and rhythm of the town.
- Name: Hydra (Ydra)
- Location: in the Saronic Gulf, around 37 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus in Athens
- Position: 37°21.0' N, 23°28.0' E
For visiting boaters
The harbour of Hydra is one of the most popular destinations in the Saronic Gulf. In high season, the few berths are often fully occupied by early afternoon, so it is advisable to arrive early. Boats are usually moored alongside the quay wall or with their stern to the pier, using their own anchor.
The harbour offers good shelter from the prevailing summer winds, but can become choppy in strong southerly winds. The water taxis, which operate round the clock, can also sometimes cause swell in the harbour basin. Water and electricity are available at parts of the pier, and there are restaurants, cafés, bakeries, supermarkets and shops right by the harbour. If you can’t find a berth, you can head to the nearby bays of Mandraki or Vlychos and get to the town from there by dinghy or water taxi.
Shore excursions and activities
The best way to explore Hydra is on foot. A stroll through Hydra’s winding alleyways is like a journey back in time: along charming cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, past elegant mansions, small churches and flower-filled courtyards, up to the car-free upper town. Many of the magnificent stone houses are a reminder of the prosperity the island enjoyed in the 18th and early 19th centuries as a major seafaring nation.
The harbour is the heart of the island and a good starting point for exploring the nearby beaches. Along the coast, many small rocky coves invite you to swim in the crystal-clear water. Those looking for a bit more exercise can hike along old mule tracks to secluded monasteries and viewpoints. Cultural highlights include the Historical Archives Museum, which illustrates Hydra’s strategic importance as a port during the Greek War of Independence, as well as the former home of Leonard Cohen, known as the ‘House of the Muses’. The Canadian singer-songwriter made Hydra his second home in the 1960s, thereby contributing significantly to the island’s reputation as a haven for artists.
In the evening, the harbour reveals its unique charm. Once the day-trippers have left the island and the lights of the tavernas glimmer on the water, an atmosphere takes hold that has made Hydra one of Greece’s most atmospheric harbour towns for decades.
Did you know?
Hydra has been completely car-free since the 1950s. Motor vehicles are banned across the entire island, with the exception of a few municipal service vehicles. To this day, goods are transported by donkeys, mules or small handcarts. This extraordinary tranquillity and the virtually unchanged townscape – preserved thanks to strict regulations designed to maintain the original architecture – make Hydra one of Greece’s most extraordinary destinations.
More articles from our ‘Mediterranean Dream Destinations’ series:
- Croatia: Vis – Croatia’s tranquil island gem
- Spain: Mahón – Menorca’s British harbour marvel
- Greece: Milos – the island of colours in a volcanic crater
- Italy: Porto Azzurro – Elba’s blue jewel
- France: Porquerolles – the tranquil island off the Riviera
- Montenegro: Kotor – Montenegro’s spectacular fjord harbour
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
