This car-free Greek island retains its 18th-century stone mansions and marble-cobbled lanes. Donkeys transport goods while visitors swim in clear Aegean waters.
Hydra sits in the Saronic Gulf, two hours from Athens by ferry. The main town climbs up a natural amphitheater around the harbor, where 18th-century stone mansions line the waterfront. Without cars or motorcycles, donkeys carry supplies through narrow alleys while visitors walk past white churches and blue-domed chapels. The island attracted Leonard Cohen, who wrote "Bird on the Wire" in his Hydra home, and Henry Miller, who spent time writing at the harbor-front cafes.
Getting to Hydra
Ferries leave Piraeus port in Athens throughout the day, taking between 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours depending on the service. Connect to Hydra from other Saronic islands like Poros and Spetses, or from Peloponnese towns Ermioni and Porto Heli. The closest airport is Athens International Airport.
Moving Around the Car-Free Island
No motor vehicles or bicycles run on Hydra. Donkeys and mules carry goods and luggage through the stone-paved streets. Walk everywhere in town, or take water taxis to reach coastal areas and remote beaches.
Swimming Spots and Beaches
Jump into deep blue waters from Spilia and Hydronetta platforms near the port, where stone terraces serve as sunbathing spots. Take water taxis to Vlichos beach, covered in black pebbles with several tavernas along the shore, or to pine-fringed Bisti cove. Agios Nikolaos beach lies in a sheltered gulf between rocky hills on the southwest coast.
Art and Cultural Legacy
Leonard Cohen lived on Hydra in the 1960s, writing songs inspired by daily life on the island. Walk through the Historical Archives Museum to see maritime artifacts and documents from the island's shipping past. The Koundouriotis Mansion displays furniture and personal items from wealthy 19th-century ship owners. Inside the Byzantine Museum, housed in a former monastery, find religious icons and artifacts from local churches.
Walking Routes Beyond the Harbor
Walk the coastal path from the main harbor to Kamini fishing village, passing Leonard Cohen's former house and waterfront restaurants. Hiking trails lead up Mount Eros (500 meters), where you'll see the Prophet Elias monastery and small churches scattered across the hills. The summit looks out across the Saronic Gulf islands.
Main Town Architecture
Ship captains built multi-story stone mansions above the harbor during the 1800s maritime trade period. The Tombazis Mansion shows typical architectural elements: thick stone walls, wooden balconies, and interior courtyards. As you climb the stepped alleys, find small squares with cafe tables under shade trees. Church bell towers punctuate the skyline at different levels of the hillside town.
