Hydra is one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan Greek islands.
The island has a unique identity that has attracted the interest of many artists and intellectuals. One of the unique features of Hydra is that cosmopolitan and modern way of living goes side by side with an excellent natural environment and a long history and tradition.
Hydra offers very high quality accommodation, luxury shops, restaurants, places of entertainment, facilities for water sports and intensive night life in bars and clubs with foreign and Greek music. Main characteristic of the island is that motorized transportation is not permitted.
HYDRA town is in the middle of west coast, facing Ermioni. It is the capital and the port of the island.
Right and left from the entrance of the port, there are the Parapets with the Canons, which protected the town.
The port of Hydra is filled with little and big yachts, boats and cruisers.To the left side of the port is located the statue of Andreas Miaoulis.
As the boat enters the beautiful harbor, visitors are impressed by the austere sea-captain’s houses with their stone walls, characteristic windows and tiled roofs. Most of them have two or three storeys and are spread around the two grey hills of the town, blending in completely with the severe setting. The whole of the quayside is surrounded by a series of imposing houses, and ground-floors of which are given over to commercial establishments-restaurant, bars, a jeweller’s…
Most of the mansions have been restored and retain their grandeur, along with their furniture and the interior decoration of the period at which they were built by skilled Genoese architects.
The Tsamados Mansion is the home of the Merchant Navy Training School, that of Tombazis houses a branch of the School of Fine Arts, and that of Kriezis is now the Old People’s Home.
The museum, next to Harbor Authority, contains among other things, an extensive collection of documents and letters from the Greek War of Independence of 1821 and the cannon in the old harbor bring back memories of the naval warfare engaged in by the people of the island. One of many churches and monasteries on the island, the following are worth particular mention: the Cathedral – dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin built in 1765, which has several fine icons, amongst them a gilded icon of the martyr.
Konstantinos of Hydra, one of the Presentation of Christ in the temple, one of St. John Nisteftis and some wall-paintings in the folk idiom.
The twin monasteries of Agia Efpraxia and Profitis Elias, built about 1800 on the highest hill of Hydra, are also worth visiting.
The monastery of Agia Triada is near Mandraki and that of Zouvra, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin, is at the northernmost point of the island, with the monastery of Agia Matrona just to the south of it.
In Hydra you will enjoy romantic walks in the narrows, paved alleys. Along the waterfront and on some side streets branching off from it, you will find art galleries, jewelry and souvenir shops. Most of the waterfront is devoted to cafes, bars and restaurants.
MANDRAKI is to the north of Hydra Town, while to the south lie Vlichos, Molos and Episkopi, which was the capital of the island in Byzantine times.
BEACHES
Outside the main port of the island you will find the beautiful rocky beach of Spilia with deep crystal blue waters. Beside Spilia there is the magnificent beach Hydroneta.
For swimming, visitors can take a small boat to MANDRAKI a fully organized beach with water sports, KAMINIA, VLICHOS, BISTI the southest cove of the island with a fine organized beach, LIMNIONIZA and AGIOS NIKOLAOS a fully organized pebbly beach with crystal clear waters, ideal for underwater fishing. To the east you will find the pebbled beach of Nisiza and Klimaki a large beach with cottages. Near all the beaches there are taverns where you can taste fresh fish and local delicious recipes.
TRADITION – EVENTS
Very famous in Hydra is the annual Carnival where visitors and local people can take part and enjoy.
Easter is celebrated in a distinctive fashion in Hydra. On Good Friday, the procession of the Epitafios at Kaminia continues into the sea.
In June, as part of Nautical Week, is celebrated the festival of the Miaoulia, which includes boat-races, swimming races, dancing and a reconstruction of the Turkish flagship.
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