Don't think that just because Hydra is among the lesser-known and underrated of the Greek Islands that it's a boring place. Although you might expect that the only thing to do here is to swim and laze around, that's not exactly the whole truth. You'd be surprised at how much you can do in Hydra, despite how rural it is. Sure, life here is mostly slow-paced, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do around here. On the contrary, there are things only you can do in Hydra that you can't in the other islands. Here are a few you'd like to do even if you're here for just a day!
Walk From One Town to Another
Unbeknownst to many, wheeled vehicles are actually banned in Hydra. You won't see any cars, taxis, buses, and the like on the island. So if you want to travel from one
Hydra town to the next, you'll have to do it on foot. A more efficient way is to take a water taxi but doing so on foot allows you to explore the island at your own pace. Furthermore, won't it feel like an adventure? As if you're trekking one archeological site to the next? Although the towns on this island aren't exactly that, they're historic nonetheless. Moreover, there are things you'll only get to see if you travel on foot all throughout Hydra.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage
Tour Hydra on a Mule
Do take note that just because there are no wheeled vehicles on Hydra, it means
public transport on the island is dead. That's not exactly the case. As already mentioned, you can always opt to ride a sea taxi to get from one area in Hydra to the next. But if you prefer to travel by land yet you don't want to walk, you can always ride a mule. Donkeys and mules are your best bet to getting some sort of taxi service here in Hydra but it's not as bleak as it seems. In fact, touring the island while you ride one would make for a great way to spend a day here, wouldn't you agree?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ride Like The Wind On Horseback
You have to remember, however, that donkeys aren't that strong to begin with. Although some might last a whole day, they're far too few. At the very least, instead of mules, you can ride horses instead! Here in Hydra, one of the top touristy things to do is to ride on horseback, courtesy of
Harriet’s Hydra Horses. Run by Harriet Jarman, who's lived on the island since her childhood, you can rent a horse and ride it from a minimum session of 45 minutes to a maximum of an entire day. imagine how fun it'd be to ride like the wind out in the open here in Hydra!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Play With Cats
You probably didn't expect that Hydra would have a lot of animal-centric activities to offer, did you? Apart from riding mules and horses, you can also spend your day playing with cute cats at
HydraArk, a veterinarian clinic and cafe in Hydra Town. Similar to those
animal cafes in Paris, Tokyo, and the like, you can enjoy a cup of coffee as you cuddle with cats, play with dogs, and see the other adorable critters this place takes care of. As long as you don't mind your feline friend sitting on your lap as it pleases and making you feel like you're its master, you'll have a ton of fun here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
See The Most Beautiful Pharmacy in The World
When you were planning your trip to Hydra, you might have come across
Rafalias Pharmacy as a must-see spot, right? And since you probably thought that you won't need to visit a pharmacy as long as you don't get hurt here, you likely didn't pay any mind to it, didn't you? So what's so special about this place? Well, it's only considered one of, if not the most beautiful pharmacy in the world. With its classic 18th-century exterior and sophisticated royal blue and brown wooden exterior, it exhibits an old-world charm that you won't see in other Greek islands. It's worth capturing and posting about on Instagram too!
Source: Φαρμακείο Ραφαλιά - Rafalias Old pharmacy Facebook Page
Visit The Churches and Monasteries
Sure, churches and monasteries are a dime a dozen among the Greek Islands. There's one in
Santorini, one in
Corfu, and so on and so forth. Why would you spend a day visiting one in Hydra if you can simply see those in other nearby islands? It's because Hydra's own churches and monasteries are different. Take the Monastery of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, for instance. Not only is it the main cathedral on the island, but its Byzantine art is second to none! Not to mention the fact that it's the only monastery in Greece that was built by a nun, all the way back in 1643. Talk about historic!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Dive into The Aegean Sea
Finally, you can't go on a trip to Hydra without seeing its
many stunning coastlines and beaches! After all, aren't these sorts of places what the Greek Islands are all about? Hydra, of course, is no different! What does make the island unique from all the others, however, is that many of its popular beaches are rather rocky and pebbly. Now, for the average beachgoer, this is a turn-off. But for those who want to be one with the Aegean Sea, this only means that you simply have to spend most of your time in the water than onshore!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage
Say what you want about Hydra but there's no denying that this island is far from boring. You can a lot here, many of which you won't even be able to do on the other islands in the country. How's that for a tourist destination?
Finally, a great way to end your day in Hydra is to retreat back to your luxury home to rest and relax. That'll refresh you overnight!
