Hydra

Hydra today appears like a painting all in grey, white and blue colours over the blue colour of
the sea, a model example of architecture and beauty.

Hydra is situated in the center of the island, in a closed bay and is built amphitheatrically on the bedrock side creating a unique harmony between architecture and the surrounding environment.

As soon as a visitor arrives in Hydra, he goes back in time impressed by the view of the tall and imposing mansions that dominate at the port of the town, while being surrounded by a magical sentiment. It could be the unique architecture and scenic of the island, it could also be the long lasting cultural legacy it carries, or all these together.

The main characteristic of the island is the absence of cars or other wheeled vehicles and all transportation is been accomplished by the donkeys, a fact that makes Hydra even more picturesque.
The island is famous for its natural beauty, the calm daylife it offers to all guests, but also for an intense cosmopolitan nightlife.

We arrive in Hydra at 11.30 and you can go for a swim. As you disembark the ship, you’ll find the Museum of Hydra 100 meters on your left, where exhibits are displayed from the greek revolution and the Balkan wars.

You can also visit the bastions with the cannons or the church of Saint Constantinos.
At the port
Hydraiki Gonia
A good suggestion for all hours of the day

At the beach of Vlyxos
Bar-restaurant Enalion
Ideal choice for a filling breakfast, coffee or meal in a typical island environment.

At the Cannons
Bar-restaurant Sunset
This restaurant’s advantage is the location which in combination with good food offers the most idyllic view.

In the town of Hydra
To Paradosiakon
Here, authentic traditional flavors of the greek cuisine are the menu’s stars.
Bisti
Organised beach on the south-west end of the island.

Agios Nikolaos – Saint Nicholas
This beach is on the south-west side of the island, situated in a creek, surrounded by pine trees.

Kaoumithi & Nisiza
Beaches with pebbles and sand which can be approached by sea taxis.

Spilia Pigi
One of the most famous beaches of hydra, it is only a 5 minute walk distance from the center of the settlement and it’s major characteristic are the big stone plates.

Limnioniza
This beach is gifted by lovely pebbles and crystal-clear wates, which makes it ideal for swimming and diving away from nosey glances.

Hydroneta
This beach is almost next to the beach of Spilia, under the cannons of Hydra’s castle and is defined by it’s stone plates.

Mandraki
One of the most approachable beaches on the island, only 15 minutes from the port of Hydra.
The bastions with the cannons
As soon as the ship reaches the port of Hydra, the eye catches the impressive bastions that protect its entrance. The island, wealthy and with great contribution in the struggle for Independence, had to be protected from pirates and possible attacks of the Ottoman fleet. This is why, in the 18th century, the period of the island’s great prosperity, the bastions were risen on the 2 edges of the port and were strengthened with cannons to discourage any aspiring intruders. Today this kind of danger is only part of the island’s history, but the bastions are probably the most magical site of Hydra. The clear view of the sea and the settlement, especially at sunset, makes a walk there mandatory.

Saint Constantine of Hydra
Saint Constantine of Hydra lived during the period of the Turkish occupation. His birthplace and the place that hosted him in the first years of his life was the island of Hydra. His parents were devout believers and nurtured him with the principles and beliefs of Christianity and with excessive love for Christ. Growing up and due to the hardships of the hard life, Constantine was forced to leave his homeland and move to Rhodes, in order to work and provide some help at home. As he was honest and hardworking, he had no difficulty in penetrating the society of Rhodes and becoming loved by it. Someone introduced him to the governor of Rhodes, Hasan Kapitan, who gave him work in his sarai. One night Constantine got drunk at a party of Hassan Kapitan and he called the hojades to circumcise him. And so it was, they also put the white sari on him and named him Hasan, like his commander. When he woke up and realized what had happened, he was put in a difficult position and did not react immediately. But he was even more saddened when with the money he sent to his mother, the mantra arrived that he had changed his faith. She did not accept the money, threw it away and cried inconsolably for days. But the same thing happened in Rhodes, all his friends disowned him, he was estranged from them because they considered him a janissary.