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Hydra is one of the five Argo-Saronic
gulf islands and is situated within only an hour and a quarter away from Athens. Hydra is a very popular holiday island and
a get-away-place for big crowds from Athens. Unlike other Saronic islands Hydra has a reputation of being more “intellectual”
and especially famous among artists and writers. There are no golden sands or peaceful coves to attract most holidaymakers,
but very barren rocky landscapes. Beautiful island, which have a lot to give.
Like all the Argo-Saronic islands,
Hydra has the best both ferry and hydrofoil connections to Athens. Several times a day you can get to Athens or continue your
journey on the islands and visit for instance Spetses or Poros. If you have your own vessel, it’s relatively easy to
sail between these islands as distances are short and there are several ports on these islands with full service in every
one of them.
Hydra is different from the other islands, as it has no motorized traffic at all.
That fact hits you as soon as you set your foot on the island. I don’t think I have ever found an island so quiet and
slow motion as Hydra is. After travelling in Greece for years I was surprised to see how much I got to appreciate the peace
and quiet, easy evening walks around the village without any fear of getting troubled with cars and the craziest motorcyclist.
Only thing of being cautious of are the donkeys. They are so many and naturally the only means of transport. There is only
one sanitation car on the island and most of the times you won’t even notice it. Donkeys transport even the construction
equipment and material.
Hydra’s landscape is also
very different from the other Argo-Saronic islands; Poros and Spetses are very lush and green, with full of pine trees and
olive groves, beautiful beaches, as Hydra is all barren and totally rocky. It gives the island its very special feature that
you can’t find anywhere else in Greece. Legend tells that once also Hydra used to be covered with trees but due to a
big fire, everything was destroyed. Hydra has no water supply of its own so it imports all the water from the mainland town
Galatas. Several times a week there is a big tanker sailing into the harbour, sailing very deep in the water, bringing fresh
water. Water is one thing you should be very economical about while on Hydra...
Beaches are few on this rocky island but you will find few nice ones when taking
a water taxi or an excursion boat from the port. Boats leave frequently all morning and offer nice beaches on different sides
of the island. In Hydra town there are rocks that you can have a swim from and sunbathe but it’s not a beach. Closest
beach to Hydra town is Mandraki in the east, only a short walk away is a small pebble beach. Mandraki has a big hotel next
to it and many water sports are available. In Kamini, also a short walk from town to the west, are rocks and a little further
to Vlyhos, you will find slightly bigger pebble beach. With a boat you can visit the best beaches; Agios Nikolaos some 25
mins from town, 10 euros or Bitsi (Vitsi) 15 mins, 8 euros. Both are pebble beaches with only a small kiosk to sell refreshments
and snacks. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available on both beaches.
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