Greek islands - Hydra

[Ifitistobesaid]

Hi, my husband and I are planning a trip to Greece in September and trying to decide which island / islands to visit.

I’ve heard Hydra is lovely and I’m intrigued by the lack of cars. Has anyone been and would you recommend it? Is a week too long to spend there?

We are also considering Paros and Anti Paros. Have been to Santorini, Naxos and Andros in the past and loved them.

Many years ago I went for a day trip! We were staying nearby and got a ferry. It was lovely but I guess it depends how you spend your time on holiday. I remember it being quite small but charming.

We spent three nights there in 2019. It was amazing - I loved the atmosphere. We were due to travel by ferry but unluckily the ferry workers were on strike when we were due to travel, so we ended up taking an expensive taxi down the coast from the mainland. Anyway, we got there in the end (which we might not have bothered to do had I not prepaid the hotel). We stayed in the Hotel Leto which was lovely and I'd thoroughly recommend.

We didn't venture beyond the town as there was enough to do for a few days, so I can't comment on the rest of the island. I loved the whole atmosphere of Hydra town, sitting outside cafes and restaurants, visiting the museums and shopping in the small boutiques. I'm a big Leonard Cohen fan so we went exploring to find his house too.

We went travelled on to Poros and Aegina after, both lovely though Hydra was definitely my favourite.

Thanks both. The Greek islands are all so beautiful it makes it hard to choose.

In terms of what we’re looking for in a holiday, I think for this trip we’d just love somewhere relaxing to swim, read and walk but also with a bit of an atmosphere in the evenings. But nothing too hectic.

I know there aren’t many beaches in Hydra so that might be an issue, though the swimming spots look nice.

@pandora206 i’m also a Leonard Cohen fan. Figure I will like somewhere he liked!

Been lots of times, lovely island and upmarket, lots of nice places to eat, , lots of boat trips to beaches but all beaches are stones- nice swimming though- no package tours- easy to pop to spetse or poros on boat - I would recommend the Hotel Mistral - and if you can afford it the Bratsera (one of the few places with a pool and very central)