![]() ![]() The island of Hydra has been a significant maritime power, and flourished even under the 400 years of Ottoman occupation of Greece. History Hydra was a significant maritime power that contributed to the Greek ware of independence from the Turks. One curious urn supposedly contains the actual heart of the islands admiral hero of the revolution, Andreas Miaoulis. The roof terrace is available for social functions such as weddings. It contains folklore and historical artifacts donated by the island’s prominent families. The museum and Historical Archives of Hydra is housed in a majestic stone building on the harbor. Kountouriotis was one of the biggest contributors of money to the Greek revolution agains the Turks. In Hydra, you can visit the Lazaros Kountouriotis Mansion, to experience how magnates lived 200 years ago. There are several venues with themes of local interest in the main town. This 2.5-hour hike is circular, and it ends in Mandraki Savros chappel. The highest point of this hike is 608 meters. ![]() It ends at Zourva lighthouse, and you can also see Zourva monastery on the way. This hike takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes (about 7 hours with the return). Route length: 12.5km (17.2km with return to chora). The highest point of this route is about 345 meters. The hike ends in Agios Georgios Bisti after going through Episkopi settlement. The highest elevation is 666 meters, and you can see Proifits Ilias monastery on the way. This hike starts at the town, and ends in Eros peak after about 2 hours and 15 minutes (count another two hours for the return). Route length: 4.4km (8.8km with return to chora). There are four major hiking routes from Hydra main town (chora), signposted from the harbor: You can go on the hike alone, or you may sign up for a hiking tour in town. One of the best things to do in the island of Hydra is to hike the footpaths outside the main town. The beaches are accessible by a long hike as well, so the boat trip would be an option for either going or returning to the Hydra harbor. There are a couple of other shingle beaches of note, Places Vlychon, and Bisti beach, that are only accessible by boat from the town’s harbor. ![]() You can sit on a table under an parasol and enjoy swimming even before the bar opens. The tables with parasols are popular, so go early. The cafe-bars open mid-morning, and you can sit on their balcony, under a parasol, enjoying a beverage between dipping into the sea. This is one of the best things to in Hydra. ![]() The flat rocks are surprisingly accommodating to sunbathing, and over the years they have been augmented by the town and the adjacent cafes/bars with patios and stairs that allow easy entry/exit from the water. Since there is no major beach on the island, the rocks off Hydra town have been adopted by bathers for a refreshing dip into the Aegean sea. Things to see and do at Hydra Swim off the rocks in the town’s shore The smooth rocks of Hydra town are an excellent place to go swimming. The trademark of the island is the complete absence of automobiles (save for the trash collection vehicle), and everyone gets around of foot or the traditional donkey.īeyond the main town, the other small settlements of the island don’t offer many accommodations, with the exception of Mandraki, that’s nothing more than an exclusive tourist resort that occupies the island’s lone shingle beach.įor swimming elsewhere in the island, the modified rocks to the west of the town are the best and most popular spot. There are plenty of clubs, bars, and restaurants to add some spice to a holiday, but overall, peace and quiet rules in the streets beyond the main promenade around the harbor. The main town has a sheltering yacht and fishing boat harbor, along with a couple of other tiny communities, all built on the north coast.įor the visitor, Hydra is a trendy destination (many celebrities, like Leonard Cohen maintain a residence in the town), and a quiet place to get away from it all without having to travel to the end of the world. The whole island consists of a main town, Hydra (Idra), and a few scattered settelements. ![]()
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