Hydra is a beautiful island situated in the Argo-Saronic archipelago, in between Poros and Spetses Islands. It is a part of the Saronic Islands which is comprised of Aegina, Hydra, Poros and Spetses Islands. The island was discovered by a group of artists in the fifties and sixties, and its magical beauty made them settle here, thus giving the island the title ‘artist colony’.
Hydra town is the capital and port, and the picturesque capital with traditional red-tiled houses, old mansions and narrow stone-paved alleys is very popular among visitors.
It is a wonderful little town with a natural harbor that is only visible from a perpendicular angle.
The traditional and protected settlement area is full of beautiful 19th century mansions of wealthy ship owners and merchants.
Hydra in Greece
The whole island is closed for motorized vehicles and there are no roads. The donkey paths and donkeys serve as the only means of transportation. 🙂
Even though tourism has gained popularity in Hydra, the island retains its culture and traditions, which give it a unique atmosphere.
A Little Bit of History
Little is known about the history of the island until the 15th century, when the inhabitants started to move inland and in the mountains to escape from pirate and Turkish raids.
Refugees from Albania, Asia Minor, Epirus, Kythnos, Crete and Evia started to settle in Hydra around 1460.
The View of Hydra and the “donkey taxis” 🙂
During the 18th century, the Peloponnese who were running away from the Russo-Turkish war came to Hydra as refugees.
The island lacked enough water, so the Turks did not take much interest in the island. The 1792 plague killed many people and the survivors moved away from the island.
The island started to prosper in the 18th century, when it developed its commercial fleet and started trading with all of Greece and even foreign countries like France, Spain and America.
During the Napoleonic wars, the island’s fleet reached its peak of superiority and with the creation of the Merchant Marine Academy, Hydra monopolized sea transport throughout the Mediterranean.
The island of Hydra has played an important role during the Greek revolution and during the 19th century it emerged as a formidable maritime power.
After WWII, the economy of Hydra started to decline; however, in the fifties it became a center for artistic creation and started attracting many famous artists and stars.
Andreas Miaoulis, the famous revolutionary, was a native of this island and is still honored by an annual festival.
Where is Hydra?
- 67.7 miles/ 109 km from Piraeus, Athens, Greece
- 78.2 miles/ 126 km from Agioi Theodoroi, Greece
- 78.2 miles/ 126 km from Astros, Greece
- 57.1 miles/ 92 km from Nafplio, Greece
- 103.7 miles/ 167 km from Selinia, Greece
- 104.3 miles/ 168 km from Athens Airport, Greece
- 144.1 miles/ 232 km from Kalamata Airport, Greece
Things to See
- Old Town
- Historical Archives Museum
- Bell Tower
- Bastions
- Merchant Marine Academy
Beaches
- Vlichos beach
- Kaminia Beach
- Mandraki Beach
- Avlaki
- Spilia Beach
- Agios Nikolaos, Bisti, Limnioniza and Molos
Excursions
- The Monastery
- Boat trip around Hydra
- Poros and Galata
The picturesque and traditional atmosphere of Hydra Town is blended with a cosmopolitan air and an exciting nightlife to make this place a unique and beautiful town of the Aegean.
The incredible beauty of Hydra Island attracts thousands of visitors.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
