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Hydra Guide

Hydra Ferry Port

On the northern coast of Hydra Island, a rocky, rolling landmass in the Saronic Islands region of Greece, is the maritime town of Hydra. This collection of white-washed villas and narrow, stone streets is spread in an amphitheatre across the steep hillsides that surround a natural bay of the Aegean Sea. Not only is it the largest town on the sparsely populated island, it is also a tourist gateway into a largely untouched slice of rural Greece; a trait for which Hydra was recognised in 2007 when it was named by National Geographic magazine as the country’s most unique island destination. Though much of Hydra’s charm is centred around the deep-blue bay and the wide promenade lined with shops and bars, it is also a region steeped in history. The island played a major role during the 19th Century Greek War of Independence by supplying Greek revolutionaries with ships and provisions to help their fight against the Ottoman Empire. Admiral Andrea Miaoulis, an independence war hero and proud Hydriot, has been immortalised in brass atop a fortified wall of the bay. Those visiting the admiral can follow his steely gaze across the sweeping expanse of the sea upon which he once fought. The port of Hydra is found on the eastern edge of the bay, just to one side of the calm, sheltered waters of the local marina. There are no passenger facilities here. The “ferry terminal” is nothing more than a designated stretch of the promenade where vessels dock after entering the bay. There are however plenty of nearby amenities including a local bank and ATM machine; a few small shops; and a host of quaint, verandaed restaurants where one can dine while being serenaded by the gently lapping surf. The island can be difficult to traverse due to its largely remote nature. Only a few roads snake across the uneven terrain of pine-forested hills and valleys, with large swathes of the isle only accessible on foot. All motor vehicles are banned by law so public transportation comes in the form of horses and mules. A number of ferry routes currently leave from the port in Hydra. Services hosted by Hellenic Seaways travel daily to various destinations on the southern prongs of mainland Greece. These include fast trips to the towns of Porto Heli, Ermioni and Poros and the larger city of Piraeus near to the capital of Athens. Another service hops west to the neighbouring island of Spetses too.