Μake us preferred on Google A one-day trip from Athens, organized by Free Travel Trips, offers travelers the chance to discover Hydra, the picturesque Saronic Gulf island known for its car-free streets, historic mansions and strong maritime heritage.
The excursion departs from Larissis Station at 7:45 a.m. and includes a stop for coffee, snacks and a break before continuing to Metochi in the Argolida region. From there, participants board a boat for a roughly 25-minute crossing to Hydra.
Once on the island, visitors will take a tour of its historic sights and have plenty of free time to explore independently.
Hydra’s harbor town combines 18th-century mansions, captains’ houses, historic churches, wells and cobblestone streets. The island played an important role in Greece’s maritime history and was home to figures of the Greek Revolution, including admirals Andreas Miaoulis and Pavlos Kountouriotis.
Historic neighborhoods and landmarks
The tour offers the opportunity to visit Kaminia, a small harbor where visitors can see the Red House, built in 1786. The building was once inhabited by Admiral Miaoulis and now hosts exhibitions.
Travelers can also climb to Kiafa, Hydra’s oldest neighborhood, located above the port. Its narrow alleys, historic mansions, old shops and small hotels offer a glimpse into the island’s past.
Another highlight is the group of seven windmills on the hill of Agios Athanasios, where visitors can take in views of the surrounding area.
Other attractions include the historic pharmacy-museum, which has retained its original appearance since opening in 1890, as well as the island’s Ecclesiastical and Byzantine museums and the historic homes of Pavlos and Lazaros Kountouriotis.
For those looking for a more active excursion, the route can continue to the Monastery of Prophet Elias and Klimakio, the summit of Mount Eros.
Beaches and local food
The trip also leaves time for swimming. Visitors can head to Skala or Hydroneta, while Mikro Kamini, a pebbly beach below Castello, offers another option. Avlaki is also available for those looking for a quieter place to swim.
Hydra’s taverns and restaurants offer traditional island and Greek dishes, including seafood and fish such as red mullet, octopus cooked in wine, stuffed squid and cuttlefish with rice cooked in its ink. Other local specialties include gogkes, a short handmade pasta associated with Arvanite cuisine, green pies, stewed snails and lamb kapamas.
For dessert, visitors can try Hydra almonds, a sweet made with rose water and traditionally shaped to resemble a pear.
The group returns to Metochi by boat in the late afternoon, followed by a short rest stop on the journey back to Athens, with arrival expected in the early evening.
