Hydra

Hydra is a small saronic island located just south of Athens in Greece. This car-free island is known for its rich history, magnificent port surrounding cute little cafes, hungry cats, and dramatic white-orange roofed house sitting on the island slopes. It is also one of the most romantic destinations in Greece.

Due to its close proximity to Athens, Hydra is a prominent one-day or a weekend destination. The island is pretty small and lacks modern architecture. Hydra harbour is the most crowded with a pleasant view while backstreets are less crowded with crumbling mansions, colourful doors decorated with bougainvillaea, sleeping and maze-like cobbled narrow lanes. Hydra is built in the shape of an amphitheatre overlooking the Argosaronic gulf.

There are plenty of hiking trails up the hills that lead up to amazing viewpoints but walking along the coastal path all the way to Kamini beach is the best stroll of the island. Some of the best things to experience in Hydra are the town’s history through historical tours, Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion, the Historical Archives Museum and other museums. Rafalias Pharmacy is also an interesting and beautiful historic establishment to witness on Hydra.