Hydra← Hydra guide
Saturday 26 September

Donkey rides

Choose a 45-minute time and enter the child’s name. Each ride can take a maximum of two children.

Saturday 26 September

Donkey ride management

Hydra
Twenty years and counting

Athens
to Hydra

A small guide

25–28 September 2026
Illustrated view of Hydra island

No cars. Clear water. Cobblestone lanes.Welcome to Hydra.

White line illustration of Hydra harbour
LiveLive Guest ArrivalsFlights, transfers and ferry connections
Tap a guest’s initials to view their travel, transfer and hotel details.
Extended Weather Forecast ↗Live Weather ↗

What’s happening

Please remember: we cannot plan the weather.

It should be warm, with cooler evenings—but you never know. Bring a light layer.

Friday

25 September

18:30–20:00

Welcome drinks

Location under review due to weather considerations – TBA

Saturday

26 September

Morning

Donkey rides for children

During the day

Beach boats

A taxi boat will be available for trips to nearby beaches—arranged through Team Phoebe.

18:30–late

Marina Taverna, Vlychos

Boats depart Hydra Harbour at 18:00.

Open map ↗
Sunday

27 September

All day

Free day

Swim, explore the island or simply take it easy.

The evening timings are deliberately early so we can catch the sunsets in beautiful places.

Getting to Piraeus

From Athens International Airport, head straight to Piraeus Harbour. A ride-share is the easiest option; allow 50–90 minutes.

Legal taxi fares

Airport taxi

Central Athens: €50 from 05:00–midnight; €65 from midnight–05:00. Fixed and non-negotiable.
Piraeus Gate E9: metered fare. Ask for a receipt.

Tell your driverPiraeus Harbour Gate E9 Hydra Ferry
UK guests: ETIAS ↗
Travel light

No cars on Hydra

All luggage travels by hand or donkey.

Do not book too early

Book from the taxi

Traffic is unpredictable and ferry tickets are not flexible.

If you have time

Wait near the port

There are cafés and shops in Piraeus Tower, directly opposite Gate E8.

Map showing Piraeus ferry Gates E8 and E9Port road leading to the Piraeus ferry gates

At Piraeus

Use Piraeus Tower as your landmark, then follow the direction for your ferry operator.

Your landmark

Gate E8 is opposite Piraeus Tower

Zara and JD Sports are on the ground floor.

Piraeus Tower opposite ferry Gate E8
Hellenic SeawaysTurn left and walk 400 metres

Continue to Gate E9. The Hellenic boats are lined up there—check the boat number on your ticket before boarding. Hellenic Seaways is directly inside Gate E9.

Ferries moored along the Piraeus waterfront
Follow the quay to the left from Gate E8.
Hellenic Seaways ferries lined up at Gate E9
Hellenic Seaways boats lined up at Gate E9.

The ferry crossing

Piraeus to Hydra Harbour takes around 1½ hours. Ferries leave from Gate E8/E9 and arrive directly in Hydra Town.

Book all operators ↗
Hellenic Seaways ferry
Hellenic Seaways
hellenicseaways.gr ↗
Magic Sea Ferries ferry
Magic Sea Ferries
magicseaferries.gr ↗
DepartsArrives HydraDurationOperator
08:3009:451h 15mHellenic Seaways
09:3010:401h 10mMagic Sea Ferries
09:4511:001h 15mAlpha Lines
10:0011:201h 20mMagic Sea Ferries
13:0014:451h 45mHellenic Seaways
15:0016:201h 20mMagic Sea Ferries
16:0017:501h 50mHellenic Seaways
17:0018:101h 10mMagic Sea Ferries
17:3018:451h 15mHellenic Seaways
20:1022:001h 50mHellenic Seaways

Arriving in Hydra

Phoebe, Harriet or Monika will meet you at the harbour and walk you to your accommodation. Your luggage will be collected by donkey.

Cobblestone warningHydra is uneven and can be slippery. Wedges or flat shoes are strongly recommended.

Where to eat

Four dependable places for the weekend. There are many more good restaurants around the harbour and lanes.

Grills

Psinesai Grill House

Hearty grilled meats in a relaxed setting. Excellent value after a day on the water. €€

Map ↗
Casual

Isalos

The brilliant all-rounder: salads, burgers, pizzas and more. Ideal for a group evening. €€

Map ↗
Quick bite

Kai Kremmidi

Gyros and souvlaki. Walk-in, inexpensive and satisfying between swims.

Map ↗
Italian

Papagalos

Italian-inspired dishes and exceptional sourdough pizzas. Book ahead for dinner. €€

Map ↗

Where to swim

Beach boats leave from outside Adonis Café near the clock tower. Each boat shows its destination and accepts cards.

Rock swimming

The Rocks — Spilia

Deep, clear water close to the port. Go down through Spilia Bar, turn left and keep walking. Not suitable for children or less confident swimmers.

Map ↗
Pebble beach

Vlichos

A 30-minute walk or five-minute boat ride. Calm and beautiful; sunbeds are around €25 per set.

Map ↗
Boat only

Bisti Beach

Shaded trees and a snorkelling cave. Return boat approximately €17.

Map ↗
Remote cove

Agios Nikolaos

Spectacular turquoise water. Return boat approximately €20. There is no phone signal.

Map ↗

Where to drink

Bar

Amalour

Hydra’s evening hub. Explore the surrounding streets for more bars in every direction.

Map ↗
Cocktails

Isalos Bar

Perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or a relaxed late evening together.

Map ↗
Bar & rocks

Hydronetta

Swim, then drink at the water’s edge. The sunset view is exceptional.

Map ↗
Explore

Wander the lanes

Bars appear in unexpected squares and corners just behind the harbour.

Good to know

Pharmacy

Tompazi 8

Idra 180 40, Greece

Map ↗
Supermarket

Along the harbour

Small markets sell water, sunscreen and everyday essentials.

Map ↗
Medical centre

On-island clinic

For non-emergencies. For emergencies call 112; EU citizens should carry a GHIC card.

Call 112
1
No cars. Everything moves by foot or donkey.
2
Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive.

Getting home

Take the ferry from Hydra Harbour to Piraeus Gate E8/E9, then Uber, Bolt or FreeNow to Athens Airport. Allow at least three hours between ferry arrival and your flight.

Book return ferry ↗
Departs HydraArrives PiraeusDurationOperator
07:3009:502h 20mHellenic Seaways
10:5012:301h 40mMagic Sea Ferries
11:3013:201h 50mHellenic Seaways
13:0014:101h 10mMagic Sea Ferries
13:1514:251h 10mAlpha Lines
14:4016:101h 30mHellenic Seaways
16:4518:251h 40mMagic Sea Ferries
17:4519:301h 45mHellenic Seaways
17:5019:051h 15mMagic Sea Ferries
20:0021:101h 10mAlpha Lines

Stopping in Athens

Acropolis

Book early and visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.

Map ↗

Kolonaki

Calm in the city, with good shops, bars and restaurants. Ask Phoebe for recommendations.

Map ↗

Lycabettus Hill

Walk up for beautiful 360° views. Matthew does this almost every day when he is in town.

Map ↗

Monastiraki

Touristy and busy, but close to ancient ruins and plenty of good food.

Map ↗

Keep the island handy

Open Hydra in Google Maps for walking directions, restaurants, bars and boat departure points.

Open interactive map ↗
Map of Hydra Town showing recommended places