Island in Attica, Greece
Hydra
Car-free island of stone mansions, donkeys and swimming platforms, 1.5 to 2 hours from Athens by boat. Elegant, calm and easy alone; expensive in summer, with rocky shores and no real sandy beaches.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,930–4,280Comfortable, one person · €2,600–3,800Details
- Value for money16/100Better value than 15% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 28°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledWater is desalinated and salty; drink bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundWalkingVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are accepted in most restaurants and shops.Details
Where to stay in Hydra
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Hydra Town (port) | Everything: restaurants, shops, hotels, ferry quay |
| Kamini | Fishing hamlet walk with tavernas and swimming |
| Vlychos | Quiet pebble beach village, 40 min walk from town |
| Mandraki | Calm coast west of the port, upscale stays |
Apps that work in Hydra
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No road taxis or ride apps. Water taxis serve beaches; carts and donkeys carry bags.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops. Cash helps for donkey rides, water taxis and small kiosks.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Hydra solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hydra meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.