General Information

Hydra is a small island in the Saronic and Argolic Bay, of extent of 64 square kilometers and a coastline of some 50 kilometers. The island counts some 3000 permanent residents. The island is considered as the jewel of the area and attracts many visitors, both Greeks and from abroad, thanks to its cosmopolitan atmosphere, the glorious past and the wonderful landscape. 

One of the most characteristic features of Hydra that distinguish the island from other Greek island is that no vehicles are allowed on the island and transport is possible only on foot, by sea or on donkeys’ and mules’ back.

All the data we have from archaeological surveys, that is to say the surface finds, the pottery and the potsherds, as well as numerous traces of settlements at the site of Episkope, lead to the conclusion that the island was inhabited for the first time as early as in the Late Neolithic period, during the first half of the 3rd millennium b. C.


According to Herodotus who calls the island Hydraia, the island was populated by Dryopes, a stiff-necked people who was occupied mainly in stockbreeding, agriculture and fishing and had arrived to the island from the mountainous places of Parnassos and Oete in mainland Greece.

After the so-called descent of the Dorians in Greece, this people is disappearing and no traces of them are maintained on the island ever since. Throughout antiquity Hydra never played a significant role in history and had been occupied by various conquerors. This fact is well confirmed by the few references to the island in the ancient written sources.


The most important reference to Hydra of Classic times is found in the work of Stephanos Byzantios who states that a comedy author, Evages, lived on the island.

The hospitable island of Hydra offers to the numerous visitors a wide range of cultural events, feasts and other activities, all year round.


Hydra organizes one of the most famous Carnivals in Greece, the event attracts many people and every one, masqueraded or not, follows the King of Carnival passing from the narrow streets of the old town to end up to the port, where amusement lasts until the next morning in an atmosphere of joy and fun.

The most scenic event of this historic island is certainly the process of the Epitaph, taking place at Kaminia in the evening of Good Friday. After the Epitaph has been processed all over the town, it ends up to the port and the people who carry it get it in the sea, so that both the people and the sea are blessed by the Holy Epitaph.