Things to do
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Bisti
A pine-shaded pebble cove on the far western tip of the island, reached only by sea. Water taxis and small summer boats run from the harbour, a ride of up to half an hour. The water is clear and deep off the rocks, with a summer beach bar and sunbeds. Boats run far less outside high season, so return times need checking.
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Bratsera Hotel
A restored sponge factory of 1860 a few lanes back from the harbour, with stone walls, timber beams and old factory tools kept in the public rooms. The rooms open around a courtyard with one of the few swimming pools on the island, beside an open air restaurant. Luggage arrives from the port by porter or mule.
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Ecclesiastical Museum
Behind the clock tower on the harbour front, an arched gateway opens into the quiet marble courtyard of the island's former monastery, now its cathedral. Icons, church silver and embroidered vestments fill a small museum off the courtyard. The courtyard offers shade a step away from the busy quay. Modest dress is expected in the church.
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Historical Archives Museum
A stone building on the eastern side of the harbour holds the island's naval archive and a museum of its seafaring past. Ship figureheads, flags, weapons and portraits of the captains fill the rooms. A silver urn holds the embalmed heart of Admiral Andreas Miaoulis. In summer the museum also reopens in the evening, when the harbour comes to life.
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Lazaros Kountouriotis Historical Mansion
An ochre stone mansion on the hill west of the harbour, built by one of the island's shipowning families and kept as a branch of the National Historical Museum. Rooms show period furniture, island costumes and paintings, with views straight down over the port. The climb up the stepped lanes takes about ten minutes. It opens in the warm months only.
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Mandraki
A sheltered bay east of the harbour with one of the few sandy beaches on Hydra. A path from town follows the coast in about twenty-five minutes, and water taxis cross in minutes. The water is shallow near the shore, and the beach is backed by a resort hotel.
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Prophitis Ilias Monastery
A working monastery sits high on the ridge above the town, reached by a long stepped path that climbs through pine and bare rock. The walk up takes an hour or more and is hard in summer heat. From the terrace the view takes in the harbour, the Peloponnese coast and the open sea. Visitors cover shoulders and knees.
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Vlychos
A small village with a pebble beach and a few tavernas lies west of the harbour, past the fishing hamlet of Kamini. The coastal path from town runs along the water and takes around forty minutes on foot. Water taxis cover the same route in minutes. An old stone bridge crosses the dry stream bed behind the beach.
