Hydra, Greece

After landing in Athens, we headed straight to the fast ferry for Hydra, and it was the perfect way to begin our Greek adventure. The ferry ride takes less than two hours, making Hydra an easy and worthwhile escape from the city.

The island’s picturesque harbor is lined with charming restaurants, cafés, and boutique shops, creating an idyllic first impression. We stayed at the beautiful Boutique Hotel Miranda, just a few minutes’ walk from the port, which made exploring effortless.

One of Hydra’s most magical features is that there are no cars or Vespas on the island. The quiet streets, sea air, and slower pace make it feel incredibly peaceful and unique. If you’d rather not walk, donkeys and water taxis are available to help you reach different parts of the island, including Mandraki Beach Resort.

We chose to take the scenic coastal walk to Mandraki Beach, and it was one of our favorite parts of the day. Once there, we rented a private cabana, ordered refreshing drinks and delicious food delivered right to our lounge chairs, and spent the afternoon swimming, relaxing, and renting paddle boats. It struck the perfect balance of luxury and laid-back island life.

Hydra was the ideal place to ease into our vacation—beautiful, walkable, relaxing, and full of timeless Greek charm. We would happily return again and again.