Hydra is a Greek island south of Athens, in the Aegean Sea accessible from the port of Piraeus to Athens in just 2 hours. This island in the archipelago of the Saronic Islands is one of the most beautiful in the country with its main port enclaved in the mountains and its hillside architecture. Its topography is not unlike that of the Cinque Terre in Italy. But what characterizes Hydra is that it is entirely pedestrian... One cannot reach it only by sea and one moves there on foot or by donkey, tourist activity of the island. The only vehicle allowed on paved streets is the garbage truck.
A characteristic mooring technique
The arrival at Hydra port is indicated by a red turret on the mountain. The entrance is narrow and the manoeuvre requires to be comfortable. In the harbour, the mooring technique is really particular... While the fishing boats take place to the right of the harbour or on the front, near the main street to sell their fishing and that the ferrys settle to the left of the harbour (the contrast between its immense ferrys and this small authentic island is striking !), the pleasure boats moor one beside the other on the entrance quay.
You have to anchor in the middle of the harbour, here no hang to hang on the pontoons! We then go back to the dock almost free (some riprap) to hit the mooring lines on the rings. In March, the season has not yet started and there is enough room to be free to come and go. In summer, the fleet of ships in port will practice the same mooring technique by creating rows of boats. So, first to arrive, last to leave, since you have to wait for the other boats to leave before you can leave. A mooring technique rather complex to carry out and for which one cannot oringuish at the risk of hanging the anchor on another mooring line. Choose the bottom of the harbour instead, because we were at the entrance and felt the waves and waves of fishing boats a lot, and this from dawn.
A very touristic city
Even in low season, Hydra is a very touristic island! It must be said that it has everything to please... Its small port is besides the main place of the island with its many restaurants and cafés, its souvenir shops, its donkeys who wait to take tourists on the heights of the island through the rocky paths, its historical museums, but especially its 300 churches and 6 monasteries. Visit the monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on the port, under the clock tower, erected in the heart of the city, with its frescoes and orthodox decorations from the 18th century e century.
Also survey the bastions and their cannons found to the right and left of the entrance to the port, which were used to defend themselves against the Turkish invasion. From this place, one enjoys a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and its many islands and outcropping islets. Ideal for enjoying an incredible sunset, admiring the golden reflections on the sapphire water. In the morning, do not hesitate to meet fishermen who sell their fresh fish in the ass of their boat.
A haven of peace
Explore the city and its cobbled, flowered and colourful streets with its white houses with tile roofs, its incredible gates with splendid knockers or its hordes of cats alanguished by the sun. In Hydra, you have to get lost to discover the beauty of the place. And if you want to escape the incessant flow of tourists who disembark at a specific time for an unrestrained trip in the city, take the mountainous paths which will allow you to reach the top of the island.
Change of scenery and calm assured through its paths of stone and red earth, winding through the green and flowered mountain. Allow about 5 hours to walk from the port and back, but the view is worth it! You will have a sublime vision of the small fishing port enclaved in the mountain, an incredible view on the horizon cut here and there by small rocky islets or you can admire the golden icons of one of the isolated chapels at the top of the mountain. The beginning of the ascent is made via a concrete path before continuing on a dirt road or steps are under construction, probably to promote hiking tourism.
Photo credits: Bateaux.com
