Hydra

There are beaches on Hydra, but mostly the island has many rocky coves with crystal clear water. All beaches can be reached by the boats situated on the quayside in front of the clock tower. Alternatively a water taxi can be taken.



Bisti Beach

This is the only natural beach on Hydra and is fringed by a pine forest. It is a well organised beach with a very pleasant bar and watersport facilities available including kayaks for rent. You can paddle around the local coves or visit the nearby Island of Petasis.



Agios Nikolaos Beach

Situated on the western tip of Hydra, a shuttleboat service operates between Hydra harbour and this mainly pebbly beach.



Spilia Beach and Avlaki Beach

Coves that are great for snorkelling and swimming.



Kamini Beach - also known as 'baby beach'

A pebbly beach but always a favourite with the kids. The new building 'Castello' situated towards the back of beach has a cafe bar and sun loungers during the day and plush restaurant and bar in the evening.



Vlichos

Pebbly beach with umbrellas and 2 good tavernas to choose from. There is also a small shop to buy snacks from during the day.



Vlichos Plakes

Pebbly beach with lovely surroundings. Great place for a day out with family or friends. Superb fresh food is served at the 'Four Seasons Suites' taverna and prices extremely reasonable. Very clean and organized.



Miramare Beach

Sandy beach with umbrellas. Includes restaurant and bar for refreshments. If you enjoy listening to 'loud' music, this is the place for you.

Hydra is renowned for its chic cafes and bars as well as traditional restaurants serving a variety of dishes.



Restaurants and Taverna



Sunset Restaurant

Guarenteed recipes and service. Perfect position to watch those stunning sunsets while you wine and dine. Whether it's a table for 2 or 400, Adoins and his team will make your evening special. Tel 22980 52067

Psarapoula

Friendly family run taverna centrally positioned on the harbour front. Excellent traditional Greek dishes. Tel 22980 52630

Barba Dymos

Tucked away in a small lane up from the port, Amelia serves superb Greek dishes Tel 22980 53306

Ostria

Found in the street up from the clock tower in the port. The bubbly and friendly Tassoula and her husband Stathis serve very tasty dishes and wine. Tel 22980 54077

Veranda

Owned by 2 brothers. The setting is stunning as you dine in a candelit atmosphere which looks out over the port of Hydra. Tel 22980 52259

Xeri Elia (Douskos)

Well placed taverna situated in its own square under lush pine trees. Service is good and friendly. At night time live Greek music is played. Tel 22980 52886

Pirofani

An excellent little taverna in Kamini. Theo is very welcoming and his dishes are superb. A popular place with the foreigners Tel 22980 53175

Paradosiako



Family run taverna. Famous for its seafood, mezedes and of course the famous ouzo! Tel 22980 54155Sunset Restaurant



Guaranteed recipes and service. Perfect position to watch those stunning sunsets while you wine and dine. Whether it's a table for 2 or 400, Adoins and his team will make your evening special. Tel 22980 52067



Psarapoula

Friendly family run taverna centrally positioned on the harbour front. Excellent traditional Greek dishes. Tel 22980 52630



Barba Dymos

Tucked away in a small lane up from the port, Amelia serves superb Greek dishes Tel 22980 53306



Ostria

Found in the street up from the clock tower in the port. The bubbly and friendly Tassoula and her husband Stathis serve very tasty dishes and wine. Tel 22980 54077



Veranda

Owned by 2 brothers. The setting is stunning as you dine in a candelit atmosphere which looks out over the port of Hydra. Tel 22980 52259



Xeri Elia (Douskos)

Well placed taverna situated in its own square under lush pine trees. Service is good and friendly. At night time live Greek music is played. Tel 22980 52886



Pirofani

An excellent little taverna in Kamini. Theo is very welcoming and his dishes are superb. A popular place with the foreigners Tel 22980 53175



Paradosiako

Family run taverna. Famous for its seafood dishes, mezedes and of course the famous ouzo! Tel 22980 54155



Thanasis

Here you will find the traditional souvlaki - watch how fast they make them! Very tasty and freshly made. Tel 22980 52066



Pretty Greek Bars and Cafes



Pirate Bar

This is the longest established bar on the island and has a faithful following.



Spilia Cafe

This great bar is just below the coast road going west out of Hydra Town right on the waterfront. Easy to spot with its coconut umbrellas.

www.spiliacafe.com



Ydronetta

This is a fantastic bar in a great location. It has a cliff top terrace with bathing platforms below so that you can take a dip when things get too hot! This is a really cool, laid back, chic party place.

www.ydronetta.gr



Red

Popular with the younger crowd. Found on the harbour front.



Amalour

Great cuban style music and perfect for those exotic cocktails.



Pretty Greek Shops



Hydra's harbour is lined with upmarket shops but here is one to discover that is a little different...



Zoe's Jewellery

This stylish shop is also a jewellery workshop. Here the owner, Zoe, makes all her own jewellery out of precious and semi-precious stones. Commissions are undertaken. Located centrally on the harbour front.

Tel: 22980 52322

Tel: 22970 29007



Irida

Photographic studio. Nikos Kiafas Tel 22980 54022



Newsagents

Kostas Kapralos. Sells everything from newspapers, magazines and accessories. Tel 22980 53718



Mouses

Hairstyling salon. Anything from a haircut to styling, manicure to make-up, Koula and her team are always there to welcome you. Appointment only. Tel 22980 53523



Katerina Vamvouri

Hand made jewellery mainly with silver and pearl.Situated up the steps next to the Pirate Bar. Tel 22980 53903



Loulaki

Situated on the west side of the harbour. Beautifully designed products, ranging from home accessories, jewellery and clothing. Good place for special gifts. Tel 22980 52732



Speak Out

Original clothing and jewellery. You can't miss the friendly face of Christina who is always there to help. Centrally situated on the harbour. Tel 22980 52099



Turquoise

A shop not to be missed! Exquisite items of clothing, jewellery and music. Found tucked in a back street near Paradosiakos restaurant. Tel 22980 554033



Transport



Donkeys. Found in the main harbour area, those not wearing blankets are for hire or you can find one in the streets around. Donkeys are used to transport luggage and other goods.



Schedules from Metochi to Hydra



Daily with the boat Freedom - price 6,5 Euros

Tel: 6944242141

Tel: 6947905855

www.hydralines.gr





Hydrofoils

www.dolphins.gr



Hellas Flying Dolphin Office

Tel 22980 54007/53812



Health



Hydra Hospital

Tel: 22980 53150 / 53151



Pharmacy

Tel: 22980 52059



Doctor

Tel: 22980 52420



Dentist

Panagiotis Zervos Tel 22980 52566>>>>>>>>>>>

Boat Trips Around Hydra

Details to follow



Spetses by Flying Cat

Neighbouring Spetses with its pine-cloaked hills, sandy coves, splendid old harbour and aristocratic heritage can be visited from Hydra. Click here for more information on Spetses.

www.dolphins.gr



Aegina by Flying Cat

Aegina is one of the few islands that still encapsulates all that Greeks love about their own country. Simple tavernas shaded by vines serving excellent fish, colourful markets, great coffee shops and long pistachio groves reaching down to the sea. Click here for more information on Aegina

www.dolphins.gr



Angistri by boat

This smaller, undiscovered neighbouring island to Aegina is a little gem with pretty coves and fragrant pine forests. From Hydra, you need to take a Flying Cat to Aegina and from there a short ferry ride to Angistri.

www.dolphins.gr



Peloponnese mainland

There are regular ferries, catamarans and water taxis that can take you the short distance to the Peloponnese mainland. In high season, there is a ferry service to Ancient Epidavros each evening for the summer arts festival held at the ancient amphitheatre. The Peloponnese is where most of the major archaelogical sites are located and the beautiful Venetian town of Nafplion can be explored.

Diving

Details to follow



Kayaking

Details to follow

The architecture of Hydra is exceptional thanks to a preservation order. Hydra has had a colourful history and its aristocratic heritage is very much in evidence today. Hydriots have been master sailors, successful merchants and in the Napoleonic Wars, skilled blockade runners, earning huge fortunes that were poured into building lavish boats and mansions.



The Koundouriotis Mansion

An exquisite mansion of great architectural importance built in 1780 by the Koundouriotis mansion. The museum's collection is of heirlooms from the Koundouriotis family and other artefacts of historical importance. Tel: 22980 52421



Byzantine Museum

The museum is housed in the old Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin and is an interesting building in its own right. Located in Hydra Town, the museum has a small collection of some magnificent ecclesiastical artefacts.



Art Galleries

Many artists live on Hydra all year round, both Greek and non-Greek. There are various art galleries in Hydra Town and regular exhibitions showing different artists work are organised throughout the year particularly during the main summer season when Hydra has its Arts Festival from mid July to mid August



Churches & Monasteries of Hydra

There are said to be 365 churches on Hydra many in magnificent settings. Here are some not to miss:



The Church of the Dormition in Hydra Town



The famous Monastery of Profitas Elias



Covent of Agia Efpraxia

which still has some nuns who have an embroidery workshop



Monastery of Agios Nikolaos

which still has a community of monks



Monastery of Agia Triada

also a working monastery



Church of Agios Ioannis

which is the oldest church on Hydra with some important frescoes of great beauty



Church of Ipapanti

with its 19th century murals



Monastery of Zourvas

which is probably the remotest of all Hydra's churches. It is a 2 hour walk by footpath from Agia Triada. There is also a beautiful lighthouse nearby. Particularly lovely walk in the spring.

Tourist Police

Tel: 22980 52205



Port Police

Tel: 22980 52279



Port Authority

Tel: 22980 52279



Town Hall

Tel: 22980 52210

Throughout Greece, every island and place has its share of festivals. A religious ceremony is held in the local church followed by eating, drinking, dancing and fireworks until dawn. In addition, Hydra also has an important Arts Festival as well as a week long festival commemorating the 1821 War of Independence.



Feast of Agios Konstantinos of Hydra, 14th November

This is a great celebration in honour of the Patron Saint of Hydra. A religious ceremony is held in the church followed by dancing, music and feasting.



Miaoulis Celebration, always the last Saturday in June

The big festival on Hydra lasts for around one week. This is an annual celebration of the historical naval battle of Hydra during the War of Independence celebrating the bravery of General Miaoulis of Hydra. The culmination of the festival is the burning of a model ship on the sea amid a massive firework display.



Feast of the Virgin Mary, 15th August

Celebrated all over Greece, this ceremony is in honour of the Virgin Mary.