Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Metóli
5
ÝDHRA (HYDRA)
Moní
Zoúrvas
Cape
Zoúrva
ÝDHRA
TOWN
Mandhráki
Ayía
Matróna
Áyios
Nikólaos
Kamíni
Vlyhós
Limnióniza
Ayía
Triádha
Plakés
Ayía
Efpraxía
Áyios Pétros
Profítis Ilías
Mólos
N
Dhokós
Cape Riga
Éros
(590m)
KLIMÁKI
Áyios
Mámas
Ýdhra
Episkopí
Bísti
Áyios
Nikólaos
0
2
kilometres
prices. But even the seasonal and weekend crowds, and a very limited number of
beaches, can't seriously detract from the appeal. When the town is overrun, it's easy
enough to leave it all behind on foot or by excursion boat. The interior is mountainous
and little-visited, so with a little walking you can find a dramatically different kind of
island - one of rural cottages, terraces of grain to feed the donkeys, hilltop monasteries
and pine forest.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
ÝDHRA
By ferry
Hellenic Seaways hydrofoils and flying cats
connect Ýdhra to Pireás (1hr 20min) via Póros (35min) at
least 5 times a day, more in midsummer. In the other
direction they continue to Spétses (5 daily; 45min), some
via Ermióni or on to Pórto Héli on the mainland. Small
passenger boats also cross to Metóhi (4 daily; 15 min) on
the nearby mainland.
Tickets and agencies
The local agent for Hellenic
Seaways tickets (
W
hsw.gr) is Hydreoniki Travel (
T
22980
54007,
W
hydreoniki.gr), located in an alley at the eastern
end of the harbour. Metóhi boats are operated by Hydra
Lines (
T
694 73 25 263,
W
hydralines.gr).
INFORMATION
Services
Several banks with ATMs can be found round the
waterfront, while the post office is on the market square
just inland. There's free wi-fi at many cafés; terminals at the
shop immediately behind the waterfront Alpha Bank.
Newspapers
Foreign-language papers, and some books,
are sold at a shop on N. Votsi, off the waterfront between
the church and Pirate bar.
GETTING AROUND
On
foot
There's only one paved road on Ýdhra, leading east
from the harbour to Mandhráki just a couple of kilometres
away, so to explore the island you either walk or take a boat
(see below). The largely shadeless trails mean that in
midsummer walking can be a mercilessly hot experience.
There are excellent, part-cobbled tracks leading west of town
to the beaches at Kamíni (about 20min), Vlyhós (30min) and
Plákes (40min). Steeper, rougher paths lead into the interior
and towards the south coast (see box, p.346).
By boat
Small boats shuttle constantly from the harbour
to the beaches, at prices ranging from about €2.50 per
person one-way to Mandhráki or Vlyhós, to €12 return to
Bísti. You can also hire private water-taxis - good value for
groups at around €15 per boat to Vlyhós or €55 to Bísti, for
example.
By mule
If you are carrying luggage, or might struggle on
the sometimes steep cobbles in Ýdhra Town, you can hire a
mule at the harbour; fixed prices for various destinations
are posted. The fancier hotels may provide a mule if they
know when you are arriving - or more likely a porter with
a handcart for your luggage.
