Hydra Mandraki

Getting to the port of Hydra from Ermioni.

(S/E) From the harbour, head left towards Mandraki. Walk along the quay and take a small tarmac road running along the coast.

(1) Climb the steps leading to the fortifications guarding the harbour entrance (superb view of the village of Hydra and the harbour). After this short stop, continue the walk towards Mandraki (north-east). You’ll reach the villas overlooking the sea.

(2) After following the coastline, the path descends towards Mandraki. At the bottom of the path, a gate leads to the beach, which is protected by a surrounding wall.

(3) If the gate is open, cross the beach. If not, a path takes you round the (ruined) buildings. After the beach, continue along a stony path until you reach a small fort.

(4) From this small fort, reached via a few steps, there is a superb view over Mandraki Bay. After this brief stop, head down the stony path to return to the beach.
From this point, access to the beach is unrestricted (swimming is possible).

(3) Return to the tarmac road towards Hydra for about 500 metres to reach the villas you passed earlier.

(2) Take a flight of steps on the left where there is a signpost indicating Hydra. These steps end after a small white house. Take the narrow track leading uphill towards a monastery; after about 800 metres, you’ll reach a wide path. Follow this to the right for 150 metres.

(5) Turn right onto a path leading towards a small chapel. This path then runs alongside a small dry-stone wall and descends towards Hydra (superb views of the harbour). At the bottom of this path, you’ll reach the first houses. Turn right, then left, and walk down to a small square, where you turn right.

(6) From here, head downhill, take the second left and then the right. Continue downhill to reach the harbour (S/E)

Getting to Hydra:
- 40 minutes from the port of Ermioni at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00. Return at 15.00 or 18.00 with a different ferry company),
- there are also services from the port of Piraeus.