About Saronic Islands |
To say that Hydra is different from the other Greek Islands is an understatement. From how to get there to what to do on the island, Hydra feels like it's its own world. The Greek culture, heritage, and hospitality are all there, sure, but it's the way of life here that's far from what you've seen and experienced in other nearby places. But then again, that's what makes this particular destination so fascinating. Wouldn't the fact that it's so unique make you want to explore and learn more about Hydra? There's definitely a lot to expect here!
Hydra is actually one of the smallest and more rural islands in all of Greece. With a total area of only 64.443 km2 (24.882 sq mi), it doesn't even rank among the country's top 30 largest islands. That alone should tell you how small the place is and, in turn, should also explain why many parts of the island remain uninhabited. Then again, with only around 30,000 residents in its population that only live among the central towns, it's only natural that a ton of areas in Hydra are untouched. And it's because of this more peaceful environment that the island still catches the attention of vacation-goers who want nothing more than to rest and relax.
Since Hydra remains warm all year round, it's pretty difficult to pinpoint which time of the year is the best to go here. It pretty much all depends on how you can fare with its hot and sunny weather. If you're one to enjoy the excessive warmth of the Mediterranean, even at its peak, you'll want to go here during summer. Namely, in the month of July, Hydra's hottest month, which has an average temperature of 26.5°C (79.7 °F). But if you can't handle the heat in Hydra, you'll want to go here when the weather conditions are milder, which is usually around spring (March to May) and early autumn (September to October).
Is Hydra really that worthwhile of a destination or is it just a run-of-the-mill Greek Island? These islands are beautiful, sure, but isn't it that once you've seen one, you've seen them all? So is this place any different? Well, the answer lies in the various towns of Hydra. The peaceful town of Vlychos village, for example, offers a stunning view of the Aegean Sea that's unlike any other. Kiafa, on the other hand, has preserved many of its ruins and relics. From Ancient Greece to Medieval times, this town offers a peek into the colorful history of Hydra. Not to mention a few great luxury homes you can rent while you're here too!
Despite how “remote” the island of Hydra is, there’s still a lot you can see and do here. In fact, even if you only have a day to spend on this island, you'd be surprised at how much you can accomplish at that short span of time.
The definite must-sees include Rafalias Pharmacy (regarded as the most beautiful pharmacy in the world), the historic churches & monasteries, the coastal bastions in Hydra Town, and, of course, the island's many beautiful beaches too! They're all quite the sights to see and definitely Instagram-worthy too!
It can't be stressed enough how remote of an island Hydra is. Unlike many of its more famous Greek Islands, such as Crete, Santorini, and Mykonos, you'll find that most of the towns and villages here aren't as urbanized and well-developed. This makes it even more vital that you join a local Greek mobile network if you plan to go here. This is the only way you can stay connected and in contact with your friends, family, and acquaintances outside of the island. As for which network to join, the popular ones like Cosmote and Frog Mobile are the most suitable seeing as they both have some of the largest scopes of coverage of them all.
The fact that Hydra is among the least-developed islands in the country should already tell you how in-touch the locals are with their own culture. Though the place itself welcomes tons of tourists year after year, the local way of life here remains unchanged. And in terms of the social customs here, you're the one who'll need to adapt.
Following Greek manners such as always accepting food that's offered to you or slapping each other's arm or the shoulder as a sign of kinship is important. Not only is this a way to make friends and connect with the locals here, but you avoid the risk of offending them while you're on their home turf as well.
You've probably seen in TV shows and movies set in Greece that a traditional way to get around here is to ride a mule. Provincial and pretty primitive? Sure, but it's a fascinating part of culture that's proven to be cinematic! And if you're wondering which places offer such a charming experience, well, Hydra is one of them. In fact, as far as the island's public transport is concerned, riding a mule is practically the only way to get around here. You second best bet is to take a ferry or walk yourself. Hence, you ought to pack some comfy shoes in your luggage for your trip to Hydra.
Don't think that just because Hydra is among the smallest and relatively remote Greek Islands that you won't find any of the modern-day conveniences here. Believe it or not, the island even has its fair share of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, each efficient enough to treat all kinds of patients. In case of emergencies, simply dial 199 (Hydra's local emergency hotline number) or 112 (the main emergency hotline number in Greece) and help will be sent to you as soon as possible. When it comes to paying for Greek healthcare, however, you'll have you settle that depending on your type of coverage.
Hydra's local cuisine is pretty unique in a lot of ways. Firslty, since Hydra is not just one of the many famous Greek Islands but also one of its smallest, you'd think that seafood would reign supreme here, right? Well, the truth is that the islands local delicacies are mostly meat, such as juicy Paidakia (Greek lamb chops), Chicken Avgolemono, and the like.
Don't worry! There are still a few seafood dishes in store for you here. The most famous of which is a mussel salad, seeing as mussels are a huge part of Hydra's many specialties. But whether you're craving seafood or meat, you'll still have lots of chances to indulge in any of them in many of the island's foodie hotspots!
Greek national holidays can make or break your trip to Hydra. The mood, the atmosphere, and the available places you can go to may change depending on whether it's a national holiday or not. During the solemn Clean Monday (Every February or March), for instance, you'll find that many folks would be staying at home to pray. And because of this, their establishments might remain closed during this day as well. Also, if you encounter people celebrating their “namedays,” this refers to the feast day of the saint that they're named after. They're actually regarded as more important than their own birthdays.
Finally, for some much-needed travel tips for Hydra. Firstly, bring along carry-ons instead of suitcases and heavy luggage. When you see that your only option to get around the island (by land) is to ride a mule or to walk, you'll thank your lucky stars that you only brought backpacks and knapsacks.
Secondly, don't forget your credit cards. Ironically, despite how rural and provincial Hydra is, especially compared to other Greek Islands, there are actually many establishments here that accept credit cards. Of course, it's still wise to have some cash on your, but for the most part, you can pay using your credit or debit cards here.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get curated travel inspirations.
Submit |
