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Crete to Hydra

Crete to Hydra by Ferry and Bus

Hi Erin,

Yes it is possible, just a bit tricky and if you are up for an adventure, will be a really interesting journey.

The end of September is the tail end of summer, so all transport services will be dropping off in frequency. This means that for some sections there may be a ferry once a week or once every 3 days.

So keep this in mind and contact the transport companies directly to get the latest sailing dates.

Take the ferry from Kastelli Kissamos in the west of Crete to Kythera then to the mainland of Peloponissos, at Gythion.

See info here Crete to Kythera

From Gythion you can take local buses to mainland ports near or opposite Hydra such as Nafplion, Porto Cheli or Ermioni.

Ooh, you are in for a treat! Nafplion is one of our favourite places in Peloponniso, it is really pretty, situated on the wide bay of the Argolic Gulf and atmospheric, with beautiful mixture of Greek, Venetian and Byzantine architecture down by the port side and main square. There are lots of cozy B&Bs and pensions to choose from, great tavernas and beaches nearby. Don't forget to climb up to the Palmidi fortress behind the town and to walk the coastal path around the point.

More about Nafplion here...

It is then a short ferry ride over to Hydra town. You can take the ferry from Porto Heli or Ermioni. We took it from Ermioni, staying the night before in that tiny seaside village and enjoying the quiet.

The crossing from Porto Heli takes one hour (around 25 Euro), the crossing from Ermioni takes 20 mins (around 15 Euro), both are run by Hellenic Seaways with their fast hydrofoils, the Flying Cats. Be sure to check the schedules for September.

Be sure to enjoy your arrival into Hydra harbour, surely one of the prettiest in the Med! Have fun!

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Crete to Hydra - The Island of Artists

Hydra Island Greece is a special island as there is no mechanised transport. Donkeys and our own feet do the work. The island thus maintains its timeless qualities and peaceful atmosphere. There is something special in the air here, and artists have been drawn here for centuries.

The unique architecture of the island is evident upon approach to Hydra port. Large stone manors dot the hillside. These are natural grey of the local rock, and represent the height of the trade and shipping wealth of the island in the late 18th Century. These imposing houses stand four storeys high and command wonderful views over the gulf to the Peloponnese.

The island is not far from the mainland of the Peloponnese, and is easy to access from Athens, making it a destination for many Athenians. The wealth of the island over centuries has resulted in a unique and cosmopolitan town.

Artists and jet-setters alike discovered the island in the fifties and sixties, and the mixture of characters and nationalities in its varied community makes for a very interesting culture of arts, drama, fine arts and music.

"This rock is a living rock, a divine wave of energy suspended in time and space, creating a pause of long or short duration in the endless melody. Hydra was entered as a pause in the musical score of creation by an expert calligrapher.” Henry Miller about Hydra in his book The Colossus of Maroussi.

The movie Boy on a Dolphin with Sophia Loren was filmed in Hydra in 1957, and Girl in Black was filmed here in 1960 by Michaelis Kakogiannis.

In 1962, Melina Mercouri and Anthony Perkins starred in Phaedra filmed on the island, these films giving rise in that era to an international reputation for the island.

Beloved Greek writer George Seferis has lived on and written about this island, and writer-singer Leonard Cohan also lived here.

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Crete to Hydra
Accommodation

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Explore Hydra

Looking around town, enjoy

• the narrow lane ways
• horse or donkey rides
• local museums
• distinctive architecture
• the Virgin Mary Cathedral
• visit the Lanzaros Koundouritis Historical Mansion
• take a historical walking tour
  

Further from the port, explore

• Spilia rocky seaside swimming very close to port with a cafe of the same name
• Xeri Elia traditional cafe in the shady narrow lanes
  
• Walking west around the headland to the village of Kamini
• Stroll around to the bastion to enjoy the views back to Hydra port
• Further from Hydra explore Ermioni seaside village on Peloponnisos or nearby ports of Spetses, Porto Heli or Poros
• Take a yacht charter to nearby uninhabited islands with crystal clear waters
  

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Hydra Beaches

Hydra Island Greece - explore many beautiful swimming spots, with stunning clear waters, those easiest to reach from the port are:

• Spilia - on the rocks west of the port - swim from the rocks and relax at the cafe of the same name
  
• Hydronetta - just a little further around the point - swimming off the rocky shore and just chillin at the cafe, under the canons
  
• Avlaki - a small pebbly cove beach at the bottom of some fairly steep steps, worth the visit for the blue green clear sea
  
• Kaminia Beach - To get from Hydra Port to Kaminia seaside village, take a very pretty stroll along the coastline for about 15-20 minutes to the west of Hydra port. Or take a water taxi, perhaps walk one way and take a water taxi back to the main port.
  
• Vlichos Beach (as pictured above) is a 20 minute walk from Hydra port along the coastal pathway, or get a water taxi, or perhaps walk one way and get a water taxi back
  
• Limnioza Beach - this secluded beach is one of the most beautiful on Hydra, is on the eastern side of the island, reached by water taxi, hiking or donkey across the island
• Bisti Beach - get there by water taxi
  

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Hydra Greece Meandering

Meandering around the port of Hydra, in the tight lane ways or stena, you will find the character of the port.

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On the Map

Here is an interactive Hydra map with our accommodation choices marked:

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Getting to Hydra Greece

From Crete: a simple journey is to take the ferry to Pireaus then another ferry to Hydra Greece, however a more interesting route is to take the ferry from western Crete (Kissamos) to Gythion, then buses through the Peloponnese to Nafplio, Port Cheli or Ermioni, from where there are multiple daily ferries.

From Athens: several ferry services depart from Athens port of Pireaus each day. These are hydrofoils and are very quick, some take only 1.5 hours.

From Peloponnisos: from Ermioni and Porto Heli, there are several ferry services per day, and sea taxis are also available.

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