The noble isle in the Argosaronic Gulf
Hydra
A cosmopolitan, cultural island, once inhabited by revolutionaries and forever favoured by jet setters
Discover the beauty of this tiny Greek island that has enchanted international jet setters, as well as artists like Chagall and Picasso. Close to Athens, this small, mountainous, arid island has for many years mesmerised travellers with its rich history and cultural allure. This island in the Argosaronic Gulf nurtured a revolution and won independence for an entire country. Hydra Town, Kaminia, Vlichos, Molos, Episkopi and Mandraki; Hydra in its entirety amounts to one small stroll.
Water taxis buzz around the island like bees. When you arrive you instantly feel the change of pace. The main port is cosmopolitan and elegant, with its 18th-century mansions, captains’ homes, old churches, wells, and marble-covered lanes that fan out everywhere. A trip to take you back in time.
What to do on Hydra?
An island without cars
As soon as you step onto the cobblestone harbour, you feel the allure. Hydra’s daily life hardly feels like the 21st century. Everything on this island (including your luggage!) is carried by mule, cart or hand. Cars don’t exist and aren’t allowed. The pace is decidedly leisure. The well-preserved mansions and manors could have come from the set of an old movie.
Celebrities and movie stars … then and now
Hydra’s long naval history is apparent at every point of the harbour. Cannons still target the Aegean Sea, busts of admirals abound, and captains’ homes line the port. This is where revolutionaries lived, great men like Andreas Miaoulis and Georgios Kountouriotis. Alongside its rich history, is its cosmopolitan fame. On this is an island in the Argosaronic Gulf, “Boy on a Dolphin”, starring Sophia Loren, was filmed.
Hydra has always been a favoured retreat of jet setters and rock stars: Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas, Rex Harrison, Peter Ustinov, Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones have all regularly frequented the island … as have famous artistic luminaries, among them Picasso, Chagall, and Miller.
The big blue, incredible views and great food
The Periptero (kiosk), Spilia (cave) and Idroneta are three must-sees. At Periptero stop and take in the view and admire the huge cannons. At beautiful Spilia, sip a leisurely coffee before diving off the rocks into the Aegean. At Idroneta’s pier, dry off from your daily swim and rush to book a table for dinner.
Kaminia, an arty fishing village
Walk from the town to Kaminia (furnaces), a picturesque marina. Discover the Red House, a significant attraction on the island, built-in 1786, inhabited by Admiral Miaoulis, and now used for art exhibitions.
DESTE, the international avant-garde
The internationally renowned Greek collector Dakis Joannou chose the old slaughterhouses to create a showroom and exhibit space called DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art. Innovative exhibits, hip happenings and events with international appeal attract famous visitors from all over the world each summer.
Hidden gems of Hydra!
A view of the Aegean from the Windmills
Climb to the oldest township in Hydra, Kiafa, located high above the harbour. This gem of a town is made up of narrow alleyways, impressive mansions, old grocery stores and boutique hotels. Trek up to the seven windmills at the top of the hill of Agios Athanasios and you’ll be rewarded with the view.
Rafalias pharmacy
The Rafalias family has a history spanning 400 years on the island. And the pharmacy they founded in Hydra’s alleyways has been maintained in the same way since it was first opened in 1890.
The Prophet and Eros
Walk all the way up to the monastery of the Prophet Elias (1 hour if you’re fast) and from there to the summit of Mount Eros. The panoramic view of Hydra and the Aegean will enchant you.
Boats
Featured
Hanse 510
Bold. Brilliant. The new Hanse 510 Easy Sailing and Fast Cruising in a new, spectacular look: The innovative hull shape and the perfectly placed chine edges ensure ideal water drainage - a guarantee for unrestricted performance and ease of sailing.
Hanse 460 (a 4-cab or 5-cab available)
Simply ahead. The Hanse 460. Radically innovative, agile and comfortable. This yacht, Hanse’s first by the French yacht designers Berret-Racoupeau, combines maximum innovation and traditional Hanse values, such as fast cruising and easy sailing – all with a consistently modern sporty look. The result is a yacht that promises pure adrenaline for skippers and an individual, stylish home at sea for families.
Hanse 458
More innovative, more exclusive and more comfortable than ever. The new Hanse 458 is the yacht for all of those who set trends. With a pioneering design and the most thrilling performance in its class. With an exquisite interior and an exceptionally diverse range of customization options.
Hanse 410
Design from the future. The Hanse 410. Step into the future with the Hanse 410, where fashionable sailing harmonizes with eco-conscious values. The optimized hull design of this 41-foot yacht, featuring chines at the bow and stern, ensures a sleek waterline, providing the Hanse-typical uncompromising performance and ease while sailing.
Hanse 458 – 4cab – Oreo
Hanse 458: STYLE – DESIGN – PERFORMANCE The New Hanse 458 is the latest addition to the 8 Series and delivers all that one would expect from the Hanse Yard. Spacious and stylish interiors, coupled with a wealth of innovative and ingenious features promise to make the Hanse 458 the leading contender in her size range.
Hanse 508 – 6cab – Charles
Hanse 508: Smarter, more elegant, and more comfortable than ever. The innovative new Hanse 508 is the perfect yacht for relaxed blue water sailing, with its progressive design and one of the most thrilling performance levels of its class. With a fascinating interior and an exceptionally diverse range of clever customization options. Hanse 508 lives up to the highest standards of flexibility, style, and quality of life. Let yourself be amazed by excellent luxury.
Hanse 508 – 6cab – Andros
Hanse 508: Smarter, more elegant, and more comfortable than ever. The innovative new Hanse 508 is the perfect yacht for relaxed blue water sailing, with its progressive design and one of the most thrilling performance levels of its class. With a fascinating interior and an exceptionally diverse range of clever customization options. Hanse 508 lives up to the highest standards of flexibility, style, and quality of life. Let yourself be amazed by excellent luxury.
Sun Odyssey 490 – 5cab – Kalm
The Sun Odyssey 490 benefits from all the advantages of the line: easy flow of movement on board, comfortable cruising, and clever layouts... in short, the ability to combine seaworthy qualities and a high quality of life on board.
Hanse 418 – 3cab – Dolce Vita
Hanse 418: Break the rules "Breaking rules and setting trends" is the motto of Hanse and the 418 most certainly lives up to this promise. With large hull windows offering great views over the water, a glass companionway with complementing glass skylights at either side, the light inside the 418 is breathtaking. The interior is also laid out to maximize the living space within.
Hanse 458 – 4cab – Bellatrix
Hanse 418: Break the rules "Breaking rules and setting trends" is the motto of Hanse and the 418 most certainly lives up to this promise. With large hull windows offering great views over the water, a glass companionway with complementing glass skylights at either side, the light inside the 418 is breathtaking. The interior is also laid out to maximize the living space within.
Hanse 388 – 3cab – Orca
SPORTY SAILING PLEASURE ACROSS THE BOARD. THE HANSE 388 An exceptional yacht that stands for sailing pleasure without compromise, the Hanse 388 provides pleasure in enjoyment, sun, water, and wide views. And in a comfortable life on board with lots of space, in carefree and dynamic sailing. On this innovative yacht, everything is possible. And it looks outrageously gorgeous.
Hanse 418 – 3cab – Mersina
Hanse 418: Break the rules "Breaking rules and setting trends" is the motto of Hanse and the 418 most certainly lives up to this promise. With large hull windows offering great views over the water, a glass companionway with complementing glass skylights at either side, the light inside the 418 is breathtaking. The interior is also laid out to maximize the living space within.
