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Where to Stay in Hydra

If you fall in love with the beauty of the island and want to transform your one-day trip into a longer stay, check out this guide to the best rental homes on Hydra.

This is another useful article with tips on how to make the most of your rental home on the island.

Affordable accommodation in Hydra: If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to stay in Hydra, Botsis is a comfy guest house with very convenient prices and impeccable facilities.
Click here for the latest prices.

Mid-range accommodation in Hydra: If you can spend a little more during your stay, I suggest Mistral Hotel, centrally located and offers great value for money.
Click here for the latest prices.

Luxury accommodation in Hydra: You can upgrade your nights on the island by staying at Hotel Four Seasons Hydra Luxury Suites, with stunning views of the island and excellent reviews.
Click here for the latest prices.

Ready to Spend 1 Day in Hydra? Jump on a Boat at Piraeus

If you’re planning to spend one day on one of Athens’ closest islands, then get up early in the morning and reach the Port of Piraeus by bus or – even easier – with the metro.

The trip from the center of Athens is about 25 minutes and the metro station is right opposite the port.

It’s always better to book your ticket to Hydra in advance since it’s not always easy to find available tickets.

Although several ferries cross every day, finding the right ticket is not always a piece of cake, especially in summer. I always use Ferryhopper for convenient fees.

For instance, you can hike some trails (or not), swim in the crystal waters, and indulge in some authentic food of the best Greek tradition.

At the port, you will find lines of mules and donkeys ready to help visitors with luggage, but also locals waiting for goods arriving from Athens. 

From the port, there are several paths going through the hills that lead to lonely monasteries overlooking the sea. This is the right time to walk past the port and follow the coastal path next to the sea until you spot three old windmills.

Midday by the Sea: Where to Have Lunch in Hydra

Not far from the beach, there’s one of the nicest tavernas in the area, To Pefkaki. Here you can feast with tasty seafood dishes (octopus is delicious), combine it with a rustic glass of retsina wine, and a simple bowl of homemade yogurt with quince.

Choose a table under the trees, overlooking the sea, and get lost in the amazing views of the sea.

Afternoon in Hydra

Not far from this family-run taverna, you will find the small port of Kamini, where you can spend some time discovering the beautiful landscape and the traditional homes of the island.

If you plan to spend more time on the beach in the afternoon, then walk a few more minutes until you reach the next shore on Hydra’s coastal trail, Vlychos. Or move on and extend your beach towel on Kastello, another popular beach on the island.

Spend a peaceful afternoon sleeping or swimming, and then climb the steps back to the main path and head back to the main port before sunset… the landscape is stunning.

If, instead, you prefer to explore the island, then head inland for stunning views!

In fact, it can be a great idea to spend a few hours visiting Profitis Ilias Monastery, although there are many religious sites to explore on the island, Profitis Ilias offers some spectacular views. It’s situated up on Mount Eros, Hydra’s highest hill, at the end of one of Hydra’s hiking paths, about 6 km from the port.

And since the views from the site are stunning, I strongly urge you to head there before sunset for some unforgettable landscapes of the island.

The traditional Orthodox monastery dates from the seventeenth century and its central church is richly adorned with paintings and icons. 

The ascent to the monastery is quite steep, so you can explore the area by hiring a donkey if you want to avoid the hike.

Once on the site, keep in mind that the monastery is no longer fully active, however, you can schedule a tour of the chapel with the caretaker priest assigned to the monastery. 

Walking to the monastery takes about 2 hours (each way), so don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes and to carry enough water for the way.

Getting Back to Athens: A Piece of Cake!

Before it’s dinner time, it is a good idea to walk along the seaside promenade, purchase a few souvenirs from the island or enjoy a good cup of Greek coffee.

If you want to avoid the crowds, find a table at a bar closer to where the boats from Athens arrive, this area tends to be less crowded.

Try the local cakes (either chocolate or my favorite: orange cake soaked in honey with whipped cream), and spend some time people-watching.

Before it’s finally time to get back to Athens, reach out for your camera and walk to the extreme of the port to capture the sunset over the hills, the beautiful shapes of the yachts, and the sun setting over the sea.

Organized Activities in Hydra

If you’d like to visit Hydra but are not sure about booking a ferry ticket and venturing on an adventure, you can join an organized daily cruise like this one that also includes stops in other incredible islands. The tour is a top-rated activity that also includes lunch and offers great value for money

Tips to Visit Hydra

Keep these tips at hand for the next time you plan to spend 1 day in Hydra!

Reaching Piraeus Port from Athens

From the center of Athens take the metro (Line 1 Piraeus/Kifissia) to Piraeus.

It’s a 20-minute ride from the center. Arrive with plenty of time to spare and have your trip information at hand: You will have to find your gate in one of the busiest places ever and you will probably need to walk!

Spending the Night in Hydra

Most visitors come only for the day (accommodation is limited and tends to be on the expensive side). If you intend to spend the night, search for a room the moment you arrive or book in advance before leaving Athens.

Moving Around in Hydra

You can reach the beaches located further from the port by water buses or taxi boats. To see the inner part of the island choose a donkey, a mule, or a horse. If you are there just for the day explore or move along the coast in the best of ways: walking.

Where to Eat in Hydra

Choose one of the bars facing the seafront. Most of them serve local dishes and prices are on the middle-range side. Mezes (traditional small dishes similar to the Spanish tapas) and ouzo or a glass of local beer can be a good choice. 

Read more about Greece

• One-day tour of Athens
• Things to do in Athens at night
• Discover the Best Scuba Diving Spots in Greece
• One Day in Hydra: Great day trip from Athens
• The Most Fabulous Things to Do in Santorini
• Insanely Practical Tips to Plan a Trip to Crete

Don’t Leave Before You Pin!
Pin This Guide to One Day in Hydra for Your Next Trip to Greece!

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You might also want to read these posts about Crete’s regions:

• 52 Things to Do in Lasithi Region
• 52 Things to Do in Heraklion Region
• 52 Things to Do in Rethymnon Region
• 52 Things to Do in Chania Region

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