Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Lázaros Koundouriótis Museum
Daily 10am-2pm, July & Aug also 5.30-8.30pm • €4
he
Lázaros Koundouriótis Museum
is the large ochre building high on the western side
of town. The hot climb up the stepped alleyways is rewarded with great views down
over the town and port, and a lovingly restored interior that looks ready to move into.
The red-tiled floors, panelled wooden ceilings and period furnishings outshine the
contents of the museum - paintings, folk costume and independence paraphernalia.
Historical Archives Museum
Daily 9am-4pm, July & Aug also 7.30-9.30pm; €5
On the eastern waterfront, the
Historical Archives Museum
occupies one of Ýdhra's great
houses. It's a small, crowded and enjoyable display of clothing, period engravings, and
ships' prows and sidearms from the independence struggle. The
Melina Mercouri
Centre
, next door, often has interesting temporary art exhibitions.
Kímisis tís Theotókou
Museum
Tues-Sun 10am-2pm, Aug also 7-9pm • €2
The most obvious and important of Ýdhra's many churches is
Kímisis tís Theotókou
by
the port, with its distinctive clocktower. The cloistered courtyard houses the small but
rich collection of the
ecclesiastical museum
- silver-bound books, icons, vestments,
bejewelled crosses and the like.
ACCOMMODATION ÝDHRA TOWN
Most accommodation in Ýdhra Town is high quality, though prices tend to be equally high. Midweek or out of season you
should be able to negotiate significant reductions on the official rates. The nature of the old buildings and the closely
packed streets mean that some noise is inevitable, especially near the waterfront. Addresses and street signs are almost
nonexistent, so ask for directions when you book, or refer to our map.
Ì
Alkionides
T
22980 54055,
W
alkionidespension
.com
. Lovely pension, quietly tucked away yet central, with
an attractive courtyard and helpful management; the
rooms are extremely comfortable and well equipped,
especially the slightly more expensive ones that have been
newly refurbished, and there's
a w
onderf
ul st
udio
apartment with its own roof terrace.
€65
, studio
€100
Ì
Bratsera
T
22980 53971,
W
bratserahotel.com.
Classy four-star hotel that occupies a stylishly renovated
former sponge factory; the extensive common areas
(including bar, restaurant and courtyard pool) serve as a
museum of the industry with photos and artefacts. Lovely
rooms have flagstone floors and beam
ed ceil
ings, though
only superior and above have balconies.
€150
Hydra Hotel
T
22980 53420,
W
hydra-hotel.gr.
Stunning
boutique hotel in a mansion high above the harbour, with
glorious views from many rooms. Each room is difer
ent, fr
om
simple doubles up to a split-level family apartment.
€150
Kirki
T
22980 53181,
W
hydrakirki.gr.
Unprepossessing
entry leads to a delightful old house, with a small courtyard
garden and simple, island-style rooms; all have a/c and
balconies, though the attractive large terraces at t
he b
ack
do get some early morning noise from the market.
€60
Miranda
T
22980 52230,
W
mirandahotel.gr.
An 1810
mansion converted into a popular hotel, with highly
individual rooms; best are nos. 2 and 3, both with painted,
coffered ceilings and large sea-view terraces. Large
breakfasts in the shaded courtyar
d are
another big plus;
there is a basement bar for winter.
€120
Pension Erofili
T
22980 54049,
W
pensionerofili.gr.
Simple but spacious rooms around a courtyard, all with a/c,
fridge and television; quiet, friendly and relatively
inexpen
sive.
A small apartment upstairs has its own
kitchen.
€55
Ì
Piteoussa
T
22980 52810,
W
piteoussa.com.
Named after the three giant pines at the front, this small
inn is exceptional value, with modern units equipped with
iPod speakers, CD and DVD players and Korres toiletries in
the marble-floored bathrooms. Downstairs roo
ms
are
larger, but all have balconies and designer touches.
€65
EATING AND DRINKING
The permanently busy quayside cafés and bars offer an incomparable people-watching experience - albeit at a price
- but there are few worthwhile restaurants on the harbour. If you want something to take down to the beach with
you, there's an excellent bakery, with
tyrópittes
and cakes, tucked into the western corner of the harbour by the
Pirate
bar.
