Hydra is close enough to Athens to make it a perfect day trip, but it would be almost criminal to not want to stay there for at least a night.
Therefore, obviously you will need somewhere to eat to match the tranquility and near perfection of the Saronic island.
At just a two-hour ferry from Athens, it makes a great toe-dip into Greek island life without travelling to further-flung (and more touristy) outcrops like Mykonos and Santorini..
DINNER AND SUNSET
Sunset restaurant
The clue’s in the name – Sunset Restaurant, to the west of Hydra's harbour, is the perfect spot to see off the day. With the best views in Hydra, it’s one of the most romantic spots on the island.
The food is great: the seabass ceviche and seafood arancini are staples on a menu that has evolved over two decades. Veggies may be limited here, outside of salads.
Eparxiaki odos Hydra
sunsethydra.com/en/home/
BEST FOR SEAFOOD
Psarapoula
Psarapoula offers unfussy seafood that’s caught fresh on a daily basis and served as it comes, or with some of the freshest pasta we’ve eaten in Greece. This spot has been in situ just by the clock tower in Hydra’s port since 1911, and it’s not hard to see why. Get the octopus.
Miaouli 454
psaropoula.org
BEST FOR KEEPING THINGS CLASSY
Η Ωραία Ύδρα
Smack bang in the middle of the harbour is a low-key establishment called Η Ωραία Ύδρα or 'The Beautiful Hydra'. Inside, the table-clothed restaurant plays gentle jazz.
In the summer, tables sprawl out towards the water.
Seafood pastas and grilled meats are the star event, here. Not the cheapest option, but a nice option for your first or last night away.
Ύδρα 180
BEST FOR FOODIES
Téchnē
If you’ve had your fill of traditional Greek food, Téchnē prides itself on its inventive menu. Its chef, Yannis Michalopoulos, trained in some of Greece and London’s finest hotels, moving to Hydra to open shop in 2016.
You will still find grilled meats and seafood here, but with a twist. Octopus is served with miso aubergine, swordfish carpaccio is laid out with kumquat and ouzo ponzo.
Oh, and be sure to try the cocktails – they’re as exciting as the food.
Epar.Od. Mandrakiou-Molou
techne-hydra.com
THE BEST FOR ITALIAN FARE
Caprice
Sick of souvlaki? Caprice is the island’s best Italian restaurant. Not just that, its food has to be some of the best on Hydra. A family-run trattoria, its has been specialising in Italian cuisine since 1994. The pizzas are fab and the cuttlefish risotto is quite special.
Sachtouri
capricehydra.eu
THE BEST FOR SOMETHING SWEET
Flora’s bakery – or Anemṓnē as it’s also known – is a gorgeous little spot in Hydra’s main square that specialises in pastries and homemade ice-cream.
From oozing orange cake, to freshly-baked almond cookies, Flora herself has been perfecting her craft over generations.
If you’re going to have galaktoboureko (custard baked in filo pastry) anywhere in Greece, make it here.
Plateia Nauarxou Votsi Plateia Nauarxou Votsi
anemwni.business.site
READ MORE: Athens in June: The average price for an overnight stay.
