The back story
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The back story
Hydra: the car-free island of captains and artists
A car-free harbour of stone mansions, an artists’ island and the easiest short escape from Athens.
Island guide · Hydra, the Saronic Gulf
Hydra island guide
Hydra has no cars or motorbikes, just a horseshoe harbour of grey-stone captains’ mansions, mules on the cobbles and swimming from the rocks. It is close enough to Athens for a short escape, and it has long drawn artists and writers.
Plan your trip:Ferry timetables Arriving in Athens The Athens Riviera
Towns & villages
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An amphitheatre of stone mansions
Hydra Town
The island’s only town, curving around a horseshoe harbour, with grey-stone captains’ mansions climbing the hills.
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A ten-minute coastal walk
Kamini
A small fishing harbour a short walk west of town along the coastal path, with tavernas and a pebbly cove.
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Beaches beyond Kamini
Vlychos
A small hamlet west of Kamini with pebbly beaches and tavernas, reached on foot or by water taxi.
Sights & museums
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The island’s naval story
Historical Archives Museum of Hydra
A museum on the harbour with archives, portraits and relics of Hydra’s ships and captains, especially from the 1821 War of Independence.
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A shipowner’s house
Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion
The grand ochre-coloured mansion of a leading Hydriot family, above the harbour, open as a museum.
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The clock tower on the quay
Monastery of the Dormition & Ecclesiastical Museum
The harbourside monastery with the marble clock tower, and a small museum of icons and church treasures.
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Contemporary art in summer
DESTE Slaughterhouse
The DESTE Foundation’s summer project space in the old slaughterhouse by the sea, with a new artist’s installation each year.
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The island from above
Walk to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias
A steep path up from town to the hilltop Monastery of Profitis Ilias, with views over the Saronic Gulf.
Beaches & beach clubs
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Rock swimming by the harbour
Spilia
Swimming platforms and a bar on the rocks just beyond the harbour, below the old cannons.
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Swim, then sunset
Hydronetta
A café-bar on the rocks west of the harbour, with steps into the sea and a famous sunset view.
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Pine-backed coves by boat
Beach boats & Bisti
Water taxis and summer beach boats from the harbour reach coves such as Bisti and Agios Nikolaos on the west coast.
Restaurants & tavernas
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Modern Greek by the sea
Téchnē
A restaurant and social space in a restored building on the coastal path west of the harbour, with modern Greek cooking and sea views.
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Under the old trees
Xeri Elia (Douskos)
A long-running taverna on a leafy square in the lanes behind the harbour.
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Sunset over Kamini harbour
Kodylenia’s
A taverna above the little harbour of Kamini, known for fish and the sunset.
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Fish in Kamini
Taverna Christina
A simple family taverna in Kamini, with fresh fish and Greek dishes.
Bars & nightlife
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On the harbour, by the clock tower
Roloi
A café-bar on the harbour by the clock tower, from morning coffee to late drinks.
Where to stay: luxury, boutique & value
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Five stars in a secluded bay
Mandraki Beach Resort
A five-star resort on the secluded bay of Mandraki, east of the town.
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A sponge factory with a pool
Bratsera Hotel
A boutique hotel in a sponge factory founded in 1860, with one of the few hotel pools on Hydra.
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A captain’s mansion
Orloff Boutique Hotel
A four-star boutique hotel in an old mansion in Hydra Town.
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Quiet, three minutes from the port
Phaedra Hotel
A small hotel in a renovated building in a quiet part of town, three minutes from the harbour.
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On the harbour, by the ferry
Hotel Sofia
A traditional hotel on the harbour, the closest to the ferry quay.
Shopping, markets & jewellers
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An artists’ island
Hydra art galleries
Small galleries and studios around the harbour, part of the island’s long artistic tradition.
Getting around
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No cars, no motorbikes
Getting around Hydra
Hydra has no cars or motorbikes: you walk, take a water taxi, or use the mules that carry luggage up the steps.
Getting there
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About 1½–2 hours from Piraeus
Ferries to Hydra
Fast boats from Piraeus reach Hydra in roughly 1½–2 hours, depending on stops; it is an easy short escape from Athens.
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