Saronic
Hydra
No cars, no motorbikes, no noise — just donkeys and absolute calm 2 hours from Athens.
Getting around
Walkable
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Moderate
Best months
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
2h ferry
In pictures
Hydra
Hydra is the island that proves you don't need a car to reach somewhere truly exceptional. Motor vehicles of any kind are banned — getting around means walking, hiring a donkey for heavy luggage, or taking a water taxi along the coast to the beaches. The port, ringed by 18th-century sea-captain mansions and filled in summer with sailing yachts, is one of the most beautiful in Greece. Artists, writers, and intellectuals have been drawn here for decades: Leonard Cohen wrote his album Songs from a Room on Hydra in the late 1960s, and the island has maintained that creative, slightly otherworldly atmosphere ever since. Sophia Loren filmed Boy on a Dolphin here in 1957. Just 90 minutes by hydrofoil from Piraeus, it's the perfect antidote to Athens. The beaches are rocky and the accommodation expensive, but the experience is unlike anything else so close to the city.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Very expensive for what you get. The beaches are tiny and rocky — not a beach holiday destination.
Hidden gem
The Kamini swimming rocks at the end of the coastal path — locals only, perfect water, zero shade.
Where it sits
Saronic, Greece
Hydra — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Hydra? +
- The best months to visit Hydra are April to October. It's busy but manageable in peak season, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Hydra from Athens? +
- Hydra has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which takes about 2 hours. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Hydra good for couples? +
- Hydra is one of the most romantic Greek islands — sunsets, candlelit tavernas, sea-view rooms.
- Is Hydra good for families with kids? +
- Hydra is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Hydra expensive? +
- Hydra is mid-range on price — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Hydra? +
- Hydra is small and walkable — you don't need a car or scooter for most stays.
- What's the catch with Hydra? +
- Very expensive for what you get. The beaches are tiny and rocky — not a beach holiday destination.