A cosmopolitan island with a rich history. Hydra is a place to fall in love with, as the boat approaches the port and the tourist gets a glimpse of a dreamy place.
It is found, near Athens. After the shooting of the film “Boy on a Dolphin”, starring Sophia Loren the island becomes famous internationally. It was the top destination of escape of wealth Greek and foreign famous names, singers, stars, of the international film industry, like Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot, Greta Garbo.
The island has the special characteristic that cars are not used, all the transport is by boat, sea taxis or young donkeys.
It is worth visiting:
√ The capital. Its unique architecture makes the difference. Traditional houses with tiled roofs, picturesque, stone-paved streets, ideal for night and romantic walks, traditional taverns with exquisite food, small shops with folklore art, unique jewels, clothes of Greek and international fashion designers, museums, monasteries, impressive stone mansions of the 18th-19th centuries. Mansions of distinguished personalities, having played an important role in the Greek history (the mansion of Frangiskos Voulgaris, the mansion of the old maritime family of Hydra, of Manolis Tobazis and his wife, Xanthi Sachini, the mansion of Georgios and Pavlos Kountouriotis, the mansions of the Kriezis family, the Kotommati, Boundouri, Goroyanni, Votsis and Economou families.
√ The Cathedral of Hydra (1648) and the Ecclesiastical Museum “Aghios Makarios Notaras”.
√ The old drugstore of Rafalia family, opened in 1890 and still keeps being the same thing.
√ The Historical Museum of Hydra.
√ The Candlemas church with the wood carved temple.
√ The Old settlement of Kiafas.
√ Kamini, a small port full of fishing boats. . Here lies a significant sight of the island, the “Red House”. It was built by the Admiral Miaoulis in 1786. Today, here, exhibitions take place.
Beaches:
In Hydra you will find sandy and pebble beaches with crystal-clear waters.
You should certainly visit:
√ Rocks of “the Cave” and “Hydronetta”, that located within the the town.
√ Kamini, an organized beach with a beach bar nearby together with a very stylish restaurant. You may enjoy a meal there or a cocktail drink with an enchanting view.
√ Vlychos, an organized beach next to a seaside cottage settlement. There are two taverns next to it, one can also see the churches of Aghios Charalambos, of Aghios Karpos and Papylos (1815), of Aghia Paraskevi.
√ Bisti, an organized quiet beach with small pebbles in a nice gulf within a pinewood.
√ Aghios Nicholaos the most remote beach with deck-chairs and umbrellas, there is also a canteen with drinks and various snacks.
Try:
√ Dishes of Mediterranean and Greek cuisine.
√ Lobster pasta.
