Hydra town
The first part of Hydra you’re likely to see is the main town, where the ferries dock. (In fact, for those who just pop in on a day trip, this may be the only part they see.)
It’s a relatively big town and certainly takes a while to explore it all, but these are a few of the highlights worth seeing.
The waterfront
The waterfront of Hydra’s main town is, to put is simply, stunning. The way the hills form a natural amphitheatre around it, the port glints in the sun, and the boats bob along the edge is so postcard-worthy.
You’ll want to take some photos and wander along the water’s edge to see it from different vantage points. But I would recommend also just sitting down and enjoying the view for a while.
Luckily there are lots of cafes and restaurants around Hydra’s port. Unsurprisingly, they’re all a little overpriced, but they’re not bad considering the location. You can’t really go wrong at any of them for a Greek coffee or a freddo cappuccino, but I would recommend Isalos.
Cathedral of the Assumption
One of the most obvious things to see in Hydra’s town is the clock tower, built in 1874, which rises up from the centre.
Walk through the passageway beneath the clock tower and you’ll reach the Cathedral of the Assumption, the main church on Hydra. The domed basilica was founded in the 17th century and its three aisles inside are richly decorated with artworks and artefacts.
The most important part is the altarpiece (called a reredos) which is made from pure white marble and is adorned with icons like sculpture crosses and parapets.
Rafalia’s Pharmacy
You’ll find a lot of shops in Hydra town and, although many of them are aimed at visitors, they are actually pretty good at avoiding tacky souvenirs and focusing more on local good and boutique products.
But there are, of course, also lots of shops for locals. And one of the most famous of these is Rafalia’s Pharmacy, on Miaouli Street.
It was founded in 1890 as a traditional pharmacy and still looks just the same, with the yellow shutters outside and the ornate wooden shelves inside.
The grandson of the pharmacy’s founder runs it today and it’s full of all the things you could want from a local chemist… as well as some older style items that add to the atmosphere.
The backstreets
While you’re looking for the pharmacy, why not just continue walking through the backstreets of Hydra’s town. At times it feels a bit like a maze – particularly the higher…
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