Hydra is truly the gem of the Saronic Gulf and stands alone among Greek islands as the one free of wheeled vehicles. No cars or scooters, just tiny marble-cobbled lanes, donkeys, rocks and sea. Artists like Nikos Chatzikyriakos Ghikas, musicians Leonard Cohen, actors and celebrities (Melina Mercouri, Sophia Loren) and travellers have all been drawn to Hydra over the years. So in addition to the island’s exquisitely preserved stone architecture, criss-crossing rural paths and clear, deep waters, you can find a good cappuccino along the people watching harbour.

The mules and donkeys are the main means of heavy transport and they, along with the rustic aspects of life on the island, give Hydra its two faces: chic and earthy.  Hydra was sparsely populated in ancient times and is just mentioned in passing by Herodotus.

Hydra is among those islands in Greece which can be easily attractive to tourists as well as to Greek people especially Athenians due to the short distance from Athens.  The characteristics of Hydra  that embodies the island you can admire today are the unique architecture and it’s picturesqueness.

The population according to the last census  is considered to be about 2000 inhabitants and the total area 73 square kilometres. The specific geographical coordinates are 37°20’11.0″N 23°28’16.9″E in Aegean Sea.