SEE HYDRA: Find the secret getaway for Athenians.

Table of Contents:
PICTURESQUE STREETS.
SEE HYDRA PORT
THE VILLAGES.

See Hydra. Athen’s secret little getaway place. Only one hour from Athen’s port by high-speed ferry, this laid-back port can make you say T.G.I.F. or any other day of the week. Just pulling into the picture-postcard harbor makes your blood pressure drop a few points.

See Hydra, and how it wraps itself around you upon arrival. — The colorful port of Hydra.

There is no ancient architecture. And due to its lack of water, the island has not had a long list of conquerors adding their influence to the architecture over the centuries. Much of the architecture is a simple one or two-story buildings with whitewashed walls and terracotta tile roofs. Here and there, you will see painted shutters and doors or a stone building without white walls, but not too often.

Most of the streets run away from the harbor or parallel. — It is fun to try and get “lost” on Hydra’s beautiful Streets.

The streets are not laid out like a maze, similar to what you find on the Cycladic islands, as pirates’ attacks were seldom. The roads, for the most part, follow the lay of the land.

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Picturesque Streets.

The town streets are almost a square grid, laid over a curved hillside. There are approximately five pedestrian streets that start at the port and go inland. There are a few stairways on either side of the port in place of roads. After about two to three blocks, these pedestrian streets begin to climb, following the land’s contour. Side streets connect them here and there. I would not call any block square in shape, but there are places where you can go around the block.

Just about any time of the day, you can see locals sitting in the cafes. — Cafes line just about every street.

There are blurry lines where one cafe starts or stops. — The chair color may be the only indication of where one cafe ends.

Its possible for a street to go east, south, and west before it reaches its end. — Streets follow the terrain, turning here, rising there.

Many staircases connect streets. — Where does that staircase go? Take a peek.

Around every curve seems to be a better vista. — The higher you go, the better the view gets.

Bougainvillea requires very little water making ideal for this dry island. — Pops of color come from painted doors, shutters, and Bougainvillea.

Tavernas seem even more inviting at night with a warm glow from inside. — Even at night, the streets are a delight to see.

Dramatic lighting changes a whole feel to a street, plaka, or in this case, sculptures. — Lighting adds detail you do not see in the daylight.

That nook or cranny you didn't see in the day, comes alive at night. — Even courtyards become magical places.

It is best to walk until you get lost. Try that staircase. Go down that alley. You can always turn around. And you really can’t get too lost. If you walk downhill, you will eventually come back to the port.
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The Port

One of the best places to sit and watch the world and people go by (and buy in the shops). It is not unusual to see the same locals sitting, with what looks like the same coffee, in the same place hours later.

I can sit here for hours and watch the world go by. — The traditional colorful waterfront.

Around 9:30 – 10:00 am, the “day trip” boat to Hydra arrives. 600 tourists pour into the port with two hours to do everything. That’s not long enough to see any other part of the island but the harbor. Hydra harbor is not as lovely during this period.

Tour boats and private boats zig and zag through the harbor. — Boats of all sizes jam the port.

You will see Hydra stores are a mix of local products, designer clothing and souvenirs. — No longer a major industry, you can still find a local sponge.

The number one activity on the island is people watching. It will not disapoint. — Sidewalk cafes circle the harbor for people-watching and maybe for food.

Just under the clock tower is the entrance to the monastery and small museum. — Get your bearings from the clock tower on the harbor front.

The face of the clock glows like a beacon to people out walking. — You can use the clock tower at night as well.

On the west side of the harbor, the illuminated windmill also works as a beacon for strollers. — Even the windmills light up the harbor.

Outside of some of the cafes along the waterfront, which are great for people-watching, I have not had a bad meal on Hydra. In the town’s back streets and along the coastal walk, wonderful culinary treats are waiting for you.
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The Villages.

A 20-minute walk from town is Kamini, a charming fishing village. 20-minutes, further along, is the even smaller village of Vlychos. Take the water taxi to Vlychos and walk back to town. Do not miss the sunset.