Top Athens activities
Top Athens landmarks
Beyond Athens
Athens trip ideas

"Hydra: Wander the Cosmopolitan Car-Free Island on Foot"

5 Reviews 4.80 out of 5 stars Based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Athens, Greece

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

10 to 11 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Hydra is a gem of the Greek islands that seamlessly blends natural beauty with cosmopolitan charm. Famous for its picturesque harbor, stone mansions, and narrow cobblestone streets, the island exudes an old-world elegance that captivates visitors from around the world.
Hydra is unique in that cars are prohibited, preserving its tranquil atmosphere and traditional character. Donkeys, bicycles, and water taxis are the main modes of transport, allowing visitors to explore the island at a relaxed pace.
Beyond its natural beauty, Hydra boasts a rich cultural scene. The island’s cafes, waterfront restaurants provide a cosmopolitan flair, making it a favorite destination for both relaxation and sophistication.
Whether wandering through its charming alleys, watching the sunset over the harbor, Hydra captures the essence of a cosmopolitan yet authentically Greek experience. It is an island where tradition meets modern elegance, offering visitors a truly unforgettable escape.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Hotel/Airbnb/Port Piraeus Pick up & Drop off (Without extra charge)
  • Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with A/C, Child Seats
  • Lunch
  • The tickets for all archeological places and museums.
  • Ticket boat (Metochi to Hydra)(for one way)
See 6 moreSee 7 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

The guide driver will be happy to pick you up from any location you prefer — whether it is a hotel (where they will be waiting for you at the reception), an Airbnb, the Port of Piraeus (meeting you right outside your cruise ship with a sign displaying your name), or a metro or bus station. Simply provide us with the exact address or meeting point when you make your booking. If, for any reason, you are unable to locate your driver, please contact the emergency number shown on your voucher. Additionally, one day before your tour, we will send you the driver’s full contact details so you can reach them directly if needed.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Isthmus of Corinth

The Isthmus of Corinth is a narrow strip of land that connects Central Greece with the Peloponnese , while the canal that has been opened in it connects the Saronic Gulf with the Gulf of Corinth . It is about 6 kilometers long and the narrowest point is where the Corinth Canal was built (1880-1893). It was a strategic point and for this reason a wall had already been built since ancient times (end of the 5th century BC), which had been preserved until the Byzantines ( Hexamilion ).
Read more

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Metochi (pass by)

Metochi is a small agricultural hamlet of a few homes. The car park and jetty for the passenger ferries and sea taxis to moor up at is east of the area called Metochi. This is the closest point that you can get to Hydra by car before you have to take to the sea.From Metochi, there are routes to Hydra. One option is with Hydra Line, where the trip takes about 30 minutes and the ticket price is 7.50€ per person for one way. Another option is with a private taxi boat, and the trip takes about 20 minutes, and the ticket price is 60€ per group for one way. ***On the island of Hydra, motor vehicles are not allowed, and all transportation is done on foot. Therefore, the driver will not be able to bring the car to the island. However, the driver will accompany you to assist with your visit, provide guidance, and share all the necessary information to help you enjoy your time on the island. The cost of the driver’s ticket is covered and will not be an additional expense for you.
Read more

Hydra Town

The island of Hydra is a popular small island of the Saronic Gulf, just a couple of hours from Athens. It is famous for its picturesque architecture, the vivid nightlife, and cosmopolitan character. Is a picturesque place to stroll around, with elegant mansions, with bastions - cannons that were used for protection in the past. They surround the port of Hydra and serve as reminders of a glorious past. Also you can visit the first Merchant Marine Academy that operated in Greece and finally the Auditorium Melina Merkouri, also known as The Exhibition and Concert Municipal Hall on the island of Hydra. So you can explore the island and enjoy your lunch.
Read more

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Historical Archives - Museum of Hydra (pass by)

The Museum of Historical Archives is located in an elegant stone mansion, at the port of Hydra Town. It houses manuscripts from the revolutionary period, paintings and ship models, rare books and other interesting exhibits.
Read more

Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion (National Historical Museum) (pass by)

This elegant stone mansion is an outhouse of the National Historical Museum. It includes relics of the Koundouriotis family, such as weaponry, traditional clothes, woodcarvings, paintings, and jewelry.
Read more

Athens (pass by)

After the tour we will drive back to Athens.
Read more
Show 5 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Additional fees if the tour concludes at a location other than the designated meeting point.
  • Flexible Pick-Up Times - Customize pick-up times to suit your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: Will I get seasick on “Hydra: Wander the Cosmopolitan Car-Free Island on Foot”?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-129232P42

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.80
5 reviews

Average 4.80 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
4
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Mykonos Island Local Tour

Make your short time on mykonos comfort with this private tour,100% customizable half day tour with your personal driver. •Perfect for travelers who want flexibility...

3 to 4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
3 to 4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
3 to 4 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$182.38

Walking Tour for Understanding the Refugee Crisis in Athens

Refugees continue to arrive in Greece and Europe, yet the media often fails to address the underlying reasons why people are fleeing their countries. This...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (4)
from
$39.31

10 Days Private Tour: Peloponnese

Meet the ancient Greek Gods! Peloponnese region is an incredible place to visit in order to see Greece. Myths and legends wait to captivate you...

10 daysHotel pickup offered
10 daysHotel pickup offered
10 days • Hotel pickup offered
5.0 (1)
from
$3,100.10

Private Temple of Poseidon Tour with a Pickup

The private Temple of Poseidon tour is a journey beyond the ordinary. What makes it truly unique is the blend of myth, history, and natural...

5 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
5 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
5 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (63)
from
$359.66

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Athens Bike Tour with Regular or Electric Bike + Acropolis visit
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

See the sights of Athens in this fun and easy 9km journey by regular or electric bike. During this 2.5 hour relaxed pace tour on...

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (3,351)
from
$35.80

Acropolis of Athens and Acropolis Museum Tour

Delve into the fascinating world of Ancient Greece on a 3-hour walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens and the New Acropolis Museum. With an...

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (893)
from
$59.78

Athens Acropolis and Parthenon Walking Tour

On this Acropolis tour, your local licensed guide will guide you through the most amazing monuments of Athens in approximately 2 hours. You will visit...

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
4.7 (1,279)
from
$41.63

Athens & Acropolis Highlights: Greek Mythology Small-Group Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

**Smallest group size in Athens!** History & Myth meet in Athens! Discover the greatest landmarks of Athens & their surrounding myths! Enjoy a unique mythological...

4 hoursFree Cancellation
4 hoursFree Cancellation
4 hours • Free Cancellation
4.8 (2,107)
from
$57.45

What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled water
  • Hotel/Airbnb/Port Piraeus Pick up & Drop off (Without extra charge)
  • Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with A/C, Child Seats
  • English speaking driver with knowledge of the history. Not licensed to accompany you in any site.
  • WiFi on board
  • Mobile Chargers
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Private transportation - Tour
  • Lunch
  • The tickets for all archeological places and museums.
  • Ticket boat (Metochi to Hydra)(for one way)
  • Ticket boat (Metochi to Hydra) Private water taxi (for one way)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Additional fees if the tour concludes at a location other than the designated meeting point.
  • Flexible Pick-Up Times - Customize pick-up times to suit your schedule.
  • Hourly Extensions - Extend your tour for a fee, adaptable to your needs.
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Greece Athens Taxi GAT

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.