Hydra, Greece
April 2023 Allen and I went on a two-week trip to Greece. We fell in love with the country when we went on our honeymoon back in 2019 and decided we wanted to go back and see more of the country. One of the places we were lucky enough to get to experience this trip was the beautiful, quiet island of Hydra. Hydra is one of seven islands in the Saronic group and just a two-hour ferry ride from the port in Athens. After just spending time in the city of Athens stepping off of our ferry in Hydra was like we had stepped into a different world. The architecture of the buildings was so old yet so beautiful. The streets are made of cobblestone and if you didn’t know there are no cars allowed on this island. You are greeted at the port by donkeys and ponies. They are working along with the locals to keep the island running and they transport luggage for those coming to the island as well as goods to stores and restaurants on the island.
When you ferry up to Hydra the port area is the main area on the island. The island itself is pretty large but the populated area of the island is rather small. The majority of the populated area is right off the port and at the edge of the water. There are plenty of restaurants and shops to go to and there are also lots of water taxis and yachts docked at the port. If you walk to one end you will start to walk around the island. Allen and I walked and we didn’t really know where we were going or what was ahead of us but the sights of this island were so beautiful just walking to take it all in was more than we could have asked for that day! We would walk a little then come up on a restaurant/bar and stop to have a drink and snack and enjoy the views. We did this a few times until we got to a point where we came to a dead end and turned around and walked back. As we walked around there were plenty of others walking enjoying the views like we were. The donkeys passed us a few times carrying goods to restaurants and you could see the ferries, yachts and water taxis coming and leaving the island.
While you are surrounded by the ocean getting into the water like we think of the ocean and beach in the states it is very different on Hydra. While at the main port of the island getting into the water is just an entrance on the side of rocks. You can however, like we did take a water taxi around the island to one of the beach’s.
Beach goers enjoying their time by the water, the area is just flat rocks that they can lay out on and enter the ocean by a pool rail into the ocean.
Allen and I did this and actually went to the Four Seasons Hotel Resort beach access. They had a public beach access that was open to people that were not guests at the resort. We paid around 15 euro ($16.30 USD) (roundtrip) for the ten-minute boat ride to get to the beach access and then paid for a beach chair and had the best day! The beach chairs were about 20 euros ($21.80 USD) for the day and we had the best waiter that took care of us while we were there! In the off season he was a structural engineer and in the peak summer season he was a waiter on the island. Getting to know him and become friends that day was again one of the things we love about Greece, the people! We brought our swim suits with us and they had a changing station and also bathrooms that were a quick walk away. It was not crowded and was very peaceful. The beach is not sand like we are use to here in the states it is little rocks and pebbles but beautiful none the less.
Rocks and pebbles instead of sand on the ocean as well as the beach chairs that we rented for the afternoon!
The boat back to the main port area ran every hour so when we were ready to go back we just had to hop back on our boat. On our ride back we actually met a Greek couple from Athens that were enjoying Hydra for the weekend. We all started talking and actually went to a restaurant and ate together once we got back to the port. It was such a nice evening talking to them and getting to know each other. As we were in different lines of work and different age groups spending time with them and just enjoying their company was so nice. Showing again the hospitality of Greeks is something special! After dinner we went back to our AirBnB and packed for the next day as we were heading back to Athens. Hydra was a beautiful island and we loved visiting it for a few days during our trip. If you have the chance in your travel future to go to this one of a kind island please do. We promise you will not de disappointed and traveling to Hydra your travel will definitely be anything but regular!
View of the port as the sun had just set!