Hi, my name is Theodora Mavropoulos from DW and today I'm going to show
you five things you can do on the island of Hydra.
Hydra is one of the most cosmopolitan greek islands and yet it is
just 25 square miles long and has only 2,000 inhabitants.
Located in the heart of the Argo Saronic Gulf, Hydra’s main industry is tourism.
In addition to many international visitors, the island is also a favourite
day-trip destination for many Athenians. It’s only a two-hour sail from Athens.
Arriving on Hydra is like time travel, because there are no cars here!
So, first I have to find a donkey or a mule to get my stuff to the hotel.
Cars used by the municipality are the only motor vehicles on this island,
as the other private cars and motorcycles are banned by law.
Horses, mules, donkeys and water taxis provide public transportation.
This is actually my small taxi to the hotel.
This is Selini.
Don't expect much action on this island.
Here you won’t find extreme sports or a party scene.
Okay, so now that I'm settled in, this is my first Tip for you: Get lost in Hydra’s town.
During the afternoon most of the people have a nap. So the streets are empty,
and the town is yours. The entire island enjoys protected status.
The best examples of Hydra’s architecture are its mansions.
Some of them are located right on the seafront. Their architecture reveals
how wealthy, modern, and influential the island was during the late 18th century.
Walking around the town and you’ll discover the elegant traditional buildings
that have been lovingly preserved by the locals.
Don't forget to check out the old pharmacy from 1890 on the main square.
It's one of Hydra’s most photographed buildings.
Hydra is also known as an island of artists. In the 1960s, many called Hydra
their second home. Henry Miller wrote on Hydra, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton
and Jackie Onassis were all visitors in the 60s and 70s.
Singer Leonard Cohen even bought a house here.
This Street is named after him.
Photos of the island are bound to include the well looked-after cats.
Hundreds of them live wild here.
And here comes my second Tip: Don’t skip the local art galleries! I recommend
the old slaughterhouse, converted into an art gallery in 2009.
It's only a 10-minutes walk from the main port.
Hydra town has no real beaches, but there are stone sunbathing platforms
all around the port you can jump from into the crystal clear waters.
Or use the steps into the sea. The fastest way to reach Hydra’s beaches
is on the waterway.
So my Tip number three for you: Take a boat to a beach.
There are several services that run like buses.
There are plenty of small bays, most of them pebbled, so no sand in your shoes!
One of the famoust ones is Vlychos beach. It's a 5 minutes boat ride away
from the port of Hydra.
The whole island is quite rocky.
There are plenty of trekking routes that you can explore.
Safety first!
You can use your two legs. I personally prefer four.
So, my Tip number 4 for you:
Take a horse ride up to the mountains. It's wonderful!
Look at that amazing view! And the air is filled with the scent of wild herbs.
To get your sweet-tooth fix, try Hydra’s Amygdalota.
So my Tip number 5: Try the Amygdalota in the oldest sweets shop of the town.
Opened in 1930, it never changed hands. Right, Dimitris?
Okay, so let's try it!
It’s very sweet, really nice. It tastes a bit like marzipan. You should try it.
It's very recommended.
Hydra – the tiny island with its cosmopolitan flair links the present
with the past and lets you slow down completely.