ARGO-SARONIC ISLANDS

Hydra

Martian Risk: some - from cruise boats.

Hydra is not just a pretty face: famous for its photogenic harbour and imposing stone houses, the island has always attracted visitors wanting to see a picturesque harbour village without tears: it’s just a short crossing by fast hydrofoil/catamaran from Piraeus. But don’t be put off just because it sometimes has its buildings featured in glossy magazines.

Idling is the chief activity – a saunter along the harbour front to admire the smart yachts, a slightly longer stroll along a gentle coast path to the quite good beach with tavernas. If you must be energetic, climb to the top of the steeply rising village to admire the view back (and across to the mainland and surrounding islands) or enjoy excellent walking across the hills to remote monasteries and beaches. In season there are excursion boats to beaches in the west of the island and the hydrofoils make trips to Aegina, Poros, Ermioni and Spetsai easy. The only traffic is the rubbish cart – even bicycles are banned.

Hydra harbour-front and houses

Hydra: the beach and taverna at Mandraki

Rock-bathing outside the harbour

A private cove awaits you. After a healthy walk.

Looking down on Hydra

Price Guide

ARGO-SARONIC ISLANDS

1. Angistri
2. Hydra
3. Spetsai

ACCOMMODATION

Stelios’s Hotel, Hydra

Situated 3 minutes’ walk up a street from the harbour-front this manor house and its equally historic villa across the road have been made into a most attractive boutique hotel, right in the centre of the village. All the rooms are different, but all individually decorated in traditional island style. There are standard/superior rooms in the villa and VIP rooms in the VIP building opposite.
Air-con, TV, phone, hair-drier, safe. Superior rooms are larger and/or have more view or a balcony/terrace. VIP rooms additionally have balcony/veranda, private jacuzzi, sat.TV. B&B.

Seasons
All one: 1/4-31/12

More pictures

Villa Stelios, Hydra

Next door to the hotel (same ownership) is a self-contained villa with 3 doubles, bathroom, extra wc, fully equipped kitchen, huge roof terrace with barbecue.
S/C 6 pers.