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Hydra in Greece |
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Hydra belongs to the Saronic islands and is located between Athens and eastern Peloponnese. The closest neighbouring islands are Spetses and Poros. Hydra has approximately 1,960 inhabitants and the island's surface is 52 km2. Almost every one live in Hydra Town, in addition there are three small communities: Kamini, Vlychos, and Mandraki. Highest mountain is Mount Eros, measuring 500 meters above sea level.
Hydra town is one of the Greek island's most beautiful villages.
Hydra, or Ydra or Idra, is different from all other islands in the Greek archipelago. What makes Hydra unique is that there are no real roads on the island and that all motor traffic is prohibited. In other words, Hydra is a paradise for those searching for silence. The only vehicles that exist are two refuse lorries. Believe it or not, but once they collided with each other.
One of two cars on the Hydra, which once collided with each other!
Before I came to Hydra for the first time I had read a lot about the island, and for a long time I had wanted to go there. I read about how wonderful it was to be at a place without cars and mopeds. I was prepared for it; nevertheless, I was surprised that Hydra actually was free of cars and mopeds. I thought that it at least must be a few cars or mopeds but it was not. It's almost always exceptions to all rules in Greece. For example, if a waterfront promenade is closed to traffic in the evenings there are always some who ignore the rule and drive there anyway. But not on Hydra.
Donkey is the only means of transport in Hydra town.
Instead of using cars and mopeds, the passenger and goods transportation are effected by donkey, water taxi or pull cart. One would think that the whole village is full of donkey poo. But it's not. When a donkey do a poo-poo the donkey rider stops, take out a donkey poo bag and a shovel, and sweep up the poo. |
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Hydra is not only famous for being a quiet island, Hydra is also famous for the beautiful architecture in Hydra town, and also known for the great number of celebrities that have stayed on the island. The most celebrated of these celebrities are Leonard Cohen (born 1934 - dead 2016), who moved to Hydra at the beginning of the 1960s. Here Cohen wrote some of his best songs. For example, some parts of the famous Bird on a wire.
The beautiful architecture characterizes the whole island of Hydra.
When Cohen arrived at Hydra, there was no electricity and no telephones. Eventually, both electricity and telephone come to the island, and with that electricity and telephone poles. It is said that Cohen was inspired to write Bird on a wire when he for the first time saw a bird sitting on one of the new telephone pole wires.
Leonard Cohen and his street in Hydra.
The refrain goes like this: Like a bird on the wire,
Up here is Leonard Cohen's house. |
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It was on Hydra that Leonard Cohen met the Norwegian Marianne Ihlen (born 1935 - dead 2016) who later appears in the song So Long Marianne, and she also is on the cover of Songs from a Room which came in 1969. Cohen also comes to know the Swedish author Göran Tunström and the Norwegian author Axel Jensen on Hydra. At the time both lived on Hydra.
One of many very beautiful and pedestrian streets on Hydra.
I often listen to Leonard Cohen. Every time I listen to his music, I long back to Hydra. Unfortunately Leonard died November 7, 2016, but his music lives on.
In September 2024, the Norwegian-Canadian TV serie "So long, Marianne" premiered. It is inspired by the relationship between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, who inspired Cohen's song "So long, Marianne". Large parts of the series are filmed in Hydra, and since Hydra today looks largely the same as it did in the early 1960s, you recognize yourself in almost every scene. "So long, Marianne" consists of eight episodes and is fantastically good. Don't miss!
TRAVEL TO HYDRA
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The U-shaped harbour front is to the brim full of tavernas, cafes, bars and souvenir shops. To sit here in the evening and eat a nice meal, or just for a drink, and watch the sunset is so magical that it almost feels unreal. Even more tavernas are in the cosy alleys where I can recommend Taverna Lulu and Taverna Xeri Elia Douskos. On the latter Leonard Cohen used to go to. Just such a thing.
The evenings on Hydra are magical.
Taverna Xeri Elia Douskos was Leonard Cohen's favorite when he lived on Hydra.
Taverna Lulus in one of the alleys of Hydra town. Taverna Lulus is really a tavern in our taste. As old as the street, according to the owners, it was founded in 1935. Judging by the interior, that can certainly be true. Very good food at low prices. |
View of Hydra Town. Left or right? See below.
If you feel like swimming, go to the left in the harbor to the Spilia rock pool, as well as to the beaches of Kaminia, Avlaki, Vlychos and Plakes. Kaminia is also a small village with a cute fishing port. If you go to the right of the port, you will eventually reach the beach in Mandraki.
The small fishing village of Kaminia is to the left of the harbor if you have your nose towards the water.
If you go to the right of the port you will come to this beautiful place.
The path to the right ends here at the beach in Mandraki. |
BEACHES ON HYDRA
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SIGHTS ON HYDRA
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© 2007-2025 | Janni Eklund | Kalispera and Kalimera. |
