Located in the Aegean Sea between the Myrtoan Sea and the Argolic Gulf, the Greek Island of Hydra draws large numbers of visitors each year.
A view over Hydra Town and the harbour (Photo: karol m via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Dotted with pine-scented coves, warm creviced rocks and crystalline water, Hydra has plenty of spots to unwind after a heady night at one of its many entertainment spots. But this is more than a party island: Hydra is also a haven for artists, writers and dreamers drawn to its timeless charm and car-free cobbled lanes. We’ve picked out some of the most unique tours and attractions that the island has to offer.
Explore Hydra Town
Bougainvillaea-draped alleyways, sun-bleached stone houses and not a car in sight – historic Hydra Town positively compels visitors to amble around and take in the picture-postcard prettiness of it all. Life here moves to the rhythm of clip-clopping donkeys and bobbing fishing boats beside luxury yachts in the harbour. Wander uphill a little and you’ll find the Cathedral of the Assumption, nestled inside the monastery complex (see below). There are also plenty of people-watching opportunities to be had while reclining on a café terrace with a freddo espresso in hand.
Take a scenic mountain hike
For adventure seekers with energy to spare, hiking up Mount Eros is one of the best things you can do on Hydra. The trail starts right from the harbour and winds through pine forests and cobbled paths, leading you to the Monastery of Prophet Elias (see below). From there, it’s a short but steep 20-minute climb to the summit. The views are unquestionably worth it, with panoramic vistas of Hydra Town, the deep blue Aegean and the wider region stretching out in the distance.
Mount Eros seen from the sea (Photo: Julien Seguinot via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Visit a 19th-century monastery
Perched high above Hydra Town, the Monastery of Prophet Elias is worth every step of the uphill hike it takes to get there. Built in the early 1800s, it’s peaceful, remote, and offers enchanting views over the island and out to sea. You’ll pass pine trees and the odd goat on the way up, and when you get there you’ll discover courtyards, whitewashed walls, and an achingly pretty chapel that positively demands a photo It’s still home to a couple of monks, so be sure to stay respectful.
Take an island boat tour
Hydra is easy on the eye from all vantage points, but perhaps none more so than from the waters surrounding the island. There are regular boat tours that take visitors to memorable swimming stops, hidden coves, cliff dives and a peek at some of Hydra’s coolest spots only reachable by boat. Along the way, you’ll hear entertaining stories from your captain, swim in crystal-clear water, explore old lighthouses and secret caves and stop for lunch near a white pebble beach. There’ll also be time to catch some rays with music on deck before returning to dry land.
You can book a Hydra island boat tour at GetYourGuide
A boat tour traverses the waters around Hydra (Photo: G&G Hydra Cruises / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Head to the beach
Hydra’s coastline is dotted with rocky coves and pebble bays lapped by the dazzling turquoise sea. Among the most popular stretches is Kamini, a charming little beach near a sleepy fishing village where the clear-as-glass shallow water is ideal for swimming and a taverna stands ready to serve you with grilled octopus and a cold beer. You can walk there from Hydra Town in 20 minutes.
A pebbly Hydra beach (Photo: Bradley Griffin via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Peruse a unique arts space
From Leonard Cohen to Henry Miller, Hydra has long been a magnet for artists. Today that creative spirit lives on at the DESTE Project Space Slaughterhouse, a contemporary art venue housed in a former slaughterhouse high above the sea. Each summer, the industrial-style space hosts often provocative exhibitions by renowned artists like Jeff Koons and Kara Walker, continuing the island’s legacy as a haven for artistic innovation. The venue is open from June to October.
Epar.Od. Mandrakiou-Molou / Weds-Mon 11am-1pm & 7pm-10pm