Surroundings

The island has a unique facade and has actually been characterized as a National Monument of Greece. Its personality is tranquil, whether you enjoy a peaceful swim at the beach or your afternoon promenade along its picturesque alleys. Hydra Island is a place you will discover on foot, so feel at ease and wander around its paths letting the blossoming bougainvilleas caress your hair along the way. Alternatively, hire a donkey, the most traditional and cherished means of transport of the Greek islands.

The island of Hydra will truly become your source of inspiration through quality moments, eclectic entertainment and, above all, through its artistic streak. To access the island you may catch the flying dolphin from the port of Piraeus (1 ½ hour trip) or, from the Peloponnesian peninsula, by ferry from the Metohi harbour (15 minutes trip). This is the narrowest crossing to Hydra island from the Peloponnesian peninsula and you can leave your car at the modern parking lot before you cross over, as Hydra has a strict “no car” policy.

Its admirable main town features important architectural specimens and is located in the heart of the island, built amphitheatrically upon the rocky slope that overlooks the port.

As far as its beaches are concerned, the island offers a wide selection ranging from sandy ones to others with pebbles or rocks. Whichever your preference, you will find plenty to suit your taste while they all guarantee views to the crystal clear, deep blue of the Saronic gulf.

This is where the Greek poet Miltos Sahtouris and the Greek painter Nikos Hatzikiriakos-Ghikas were born. This is the island that Periklis Vizandios selected to establish a branch of the School of Fine Arts back in 1936. A plethora of other personalities from the world of Arts and Letters, have chosen to connect their bios with the island of Hydra. Among them we list the Greek poet Yiorgos Seferis, the famous Greek architect Dimitrios Pikionis, the Greek poet Odisseas Elitis, the Greek author Diomidis Petsalis, the exquisite painter Eggonopoulos, as well as, Henry Miller. The painters Konstantinos (Ntikos) Vizandios, Panagiotis Tetsis but also Georgios Mavroides admired the island’s artistic temperament. Last but not least, the internationally acclaimed fine jewellery designer Elena Votsi, also designer of the Olympic Games Medals, from 2004 to date, lives in Hydra where her first signature store opened.

Τhe Monastery of Aghia (Saint) Efpraxia built at an altitude of 500 meters, the Monastery of Prophet Elias which you can only approach by walking through a luscious pinewood forest, the church of Saint Nikolaos whose construction allegedly dates back to 1675, the church of Ypapanti which is one of the most historic constructions on the island and the Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary Zourvas which offers the best views of the whole island, an absolute must-see.

The most important moment in the island’s history, however, was when the naval Admiral Pavlos Koundouriotis became the first President of the Greek Democracy in 1924. Another important element of the island’s history is the participation and leading role of the island’s naval fleet during the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Turkish occupation and the fact that it greatly contributed to the emancipation of Greece.

Hydra was also the location where the famous film “Phaedra” staring Melina Merkouri was shot. Those three productions mentioned above, were just the beginning of a string of other films that followed later on. At least 20 Greek movies were filmed on the island during the 60s alone, which yielded to a memorable parade of the most famous domestic actors and actresses.

You may also find an interest in visiting the Hydra Museum of Historical Archives which was established in 1918 and is open daily to visitors wishing to have a closer look at the Archives, the collection of the Museum, and it's Library. The Mansion Houses of Pavlos and Lazaros Koundouriotis are open to the public and showcase a rich collection of historical items from the daily life in the 1800’s, as well as memorabilia from the Greek Revolution of 1821.