Hydra Ferry

The only way to reach Hydra from Athens is by taking the ferry. Your trip can start either from Athens (Piraeus) or the Peloponnese (Ermioni, Porto Heli, Metochi) if you are on the mainland.
Alternatively, ferries from Poros and Spetses islands reach Hydra, too.
Note: None of the boats going to Hydra have a garage. The island has a ban on wheeled vehicles anyway, so it is not possible to take your car/motorbike or even a bicycle with you.

The port is connected to Athens, Argolis (region of the Peloponnese) and other Argosaronic islands. There are daily routes from the port of Piraeus in Athens; the same applies to Ermioni and Porto Heli ports in the Peloponnese. A sea bus departing from Metochi also makes multiple crossings to the island daily.
Finally, Spetses and Poros are also connected to Hydra by ferry.

The most popular routes are from Athens to Hydra, from Poros to Hydra, and from Spetses to Hydra.

You can get by car to the small port of Metochi in the Peloponnese and from there take a small sea bus or a water taxi.

Other also picturesque islands of the Argosaronic Gulf are Spetses and Poros. Access to these islands from Hydra is very easy and fast since several schedules are available every day.

All ferries that arrive in Hydra are exclusively high-speed/catamarans that do not have a garage for vehicles. Most have one seat type, but some offer both economy and business class tickets. In addition, a sea bus and water taxis starting from Metochi sail also to Hydra.

Booking your ferry tickets is one of the first and most important steps in organizing your holidays in Hydra.
We make this step the easiest and most exciting one, as booking your ferry tickets with ferriesingreece.com comes with lots of perks:

• The experience we provide to our customers has been awarded (Tourism Awards).
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• Interactive live maps show you every detail of your ride.
• Our agents are experienced, informative, and always happy to help you with any question or request you may have regarding your tickets and trip.

Hydra is one of the most cosmopolitan and noble islands of Greece. The impressive mansions, the old port with the bastions and cannons, the monasteries, the museums and the Merchant Marine Academy are the main points that draw visitors’ attention. It has been a favorite destination among glitterati from the 1950s onwards, which is why you will find private yachts moored in the island's port.

Shipping brought prosperity to the island, transforming it from a rocky expanse into an architectural wonder that radiates aristocracy. The occupation of the locals with shipping first started in the 17th century. The beginning of the 19th century was particularly profitable for the island since its location facilitated the wheat trade in the Mediterranean. At the same time, the sailors had begun to acquire fighting skills due to the constant battles with pirates. Because of its background, the island contributed significantly to the Greek Revolution of 1821, providing over 150 ships to the struggle for liberation. In addition, some of the most distinguished figures of the revolution came from Hydra, including the great admirals Miaoulis, Kountouriotis, Tsamados, Tombazis and Sachtouris.

The island has around 2000 permanent residents, mainly occupied with tourism and fishing. The inhabitants hold history and culture in high esteem. For this reason, the island houses many points of interest, including the Historical Archives Museum, the House of Georgios Kountouriotis, which houses the Museum of post-Byzantine Art and History, and the House of Lazaros Kountouriotis which is a branch of the National Historical Museum. The capital and only town on the island is Hydra Town, situated between two hills. The incomparably beautiful city has been declared a protected area and wheeled vehicles are prohibited within it, with people moving around either on foot or donkeys.

The island also boasts lovely beaches that can either be approached on foot or via a water taxi. Hydroneta and Spilia beaches lie within walking distance from Town, while others like Vlichos and Bisti can be reached by water taxis that depart from the port of Hydra.

Most visitors prefer to visit the island during the summer months to take advantage of the long, warm, sunny days. Nevertheless, the island can be considered a year-round destination, as the things to see and do are not dependent on the temperature or the weather in general.

Hydra can impress any visitor! However, people who want to avoid moving around on foot or are looking for lively nightlife may not enjoy their stay on the island that much.

The most impressive sights include the bastions around the port, the Historical Archives Museum and the Merchant Marine Academy.

Learn what you don't know about Hydra!

• The island’s name originated from the ancient Greek word for “water” due to its abundance of springs during antiquity.
• The famous film Boy on a Dolphin, starring Sophia Loren, was filmed there. The queen of the Greeks at the time, Frederica of Hanover, was also present at the filming.
• The renowned songwriter Leonard Cohen bought a house in Hydra in 1960, where he spent seven years of his life.
• Awe-inspiring events take place annually, such as the sea epitaph on Great Friday and the Miaoulia Fest every June.
• Noted painters Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall visited the island to capture the town’s charm in paintings.