Bratsera restaurant
What to order: an à la carte meal under the vine beside the pool, with a house cocktail
geocalia
Day itinerary · 37.35° N · 23.47° E
Day trip to Hydra from Athens: a car-free island, on foot and by boat.
A fast boat from Piraeus to the island without cars: captains' houses, the 1821 museum, a swim off the rocks at Spilia, lunch by a pool and a walk to Kamini.
Leaving from
Direct flight to Atenas fromBarcelona 3 h 15Bilbao 3 h 45Madrid 3 h 45Málaga 4 h
Part of Hydra
Add to my trip
Total time13 h
By car2 h each way
From AthensFast boat 1 h 05–1 h 45
CarsNone
On footAbout 3 h, with steps
DifficultyEasy
Best timeMay – June · September – October
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Athens 1 h 45 by boat
Metro to Piraeus and Flying Cat or Flying Dolphin from gate E8
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1
Hydra harbour and the captains' houses
The quay, the donkeys and the shipowners' mansions
- Carry on on foot
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2
Hydra Historical Archive and Museum
Figureheads and mementoes of 1821
- Carry on on foot
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3
Swimming from the Spilia rocks and a water taxi to the coves
A swim off the rocks below the cannons
- Carry on on foot
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4
Bratsera restaurant
À la carte by the pool
Hotel Bratsera, 18040 Hidra · +30 22980 53971
Restaurant €€€Book - Carry on on foot
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5
Coastal walk to Kamini and Vlychos
Along the coast to Kamini; back by water taxi
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Back home 1 h 45 by boat
Boat to Piraeus; in central Athens around 21:30
Approximate cost
About €35–60 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Hydra harbour and the captains' houses
Hydra can be seen in a day from Athens with the morning fast boat and the afternoon one. You need nothing else: there are no cars on the island, everything is done on foot along stepped streets or by boat. This plan brings together the harbour and the captains' houses, the island museum, a swim off the rocks, a relaxed lunch and the coastal walk to Kamini.
The day, hour by hour
7:30 · To Piraeus. Metro line 1 and the Hellenic Seaways fast boat, normally from gate E8: from 1 h 05 to 1 h 45 depending on the stops.
9:45 · The harbour. The donkeys waiting on the quay, the cafés and, up the stairs behind, the shipowners' stone mansions.
11:45 · The museum. The Historical Archive and Museum, in the harbour: figureheads, models and the history of the 1821 fleet.
12:45 · Swim at Spilia. At the west exit of the harbour, below the cannons: ladders into the sea from the rocks. Deep water.
14:15 · Lunch at the Bratsera. The restaurant of the former sponge factory, à la carte around the pool.
16:30 · To Kamini. The coastal path, 20 minutes, to the little fishing harbour. If you have the energy, carry on to Vlychos. Come back by water taxi.
19:00 · Boat back. In Athens around 21:30.
What if I stay?
When the afternoon boats leave, Hydra goes quiet. The one-night getaway adds dinner at Téchnē and sunrise in the harbour.
Time2 h
Change the route
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
Téchnē Restaurant & Social
What to order: a fish from the gulf with seasonal vegetables and a house cocktail at sunset
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Hydra
From April to October, when hotels and restaurants open and there are plenty of boats. In summer book the return boat. In winter many places close and the wind cancels fast boats.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Buy the return
In summer the afternoon boat sells out.
- 2Flat shoes
The stone stairs are slippery.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to Hydra?
From 1 h 05 to 1 h 45 by fast boat from Piraeus.
Can you go by car?
There are no cars on the island.
Where do you eat?
At the Bratsera at midday; for dinner, Téchnē in season.
Is there a beach?
Rocks by the town and coves by water taxi.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/hydra/itineraries/donkey-harbour-and-swim-at-kamini
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.