Eating and Drinking

Closest to town is Spilia Beach Bar for morning sun and afternoon shade and Hydronetta for afternoon sun and sunset views. Moving down the coast, there are nice swimming spots at Avlaki, Kamini, Castello, Vlichos and Plakes, all of which have pebbly beaches also suitable for children.

For lunch and swimming I can recommend To Pefkaki in Kamini, Taverna Marina in Vlichos, and the Four Seasons in Plakes. In the other direction from the port there is Mandraki Beach Resort (the only sand beach) and Lefteraki’s Taverna. There are also regular ferries from the port to organised down-island beaches at Bisti and Agios Nikolaus.

For tavernas in town, I can recommend Xeri Elia (Douskos) for fish and grilled meats in a beautiful setting under the trees on a little piazza, Psinesai (Matina and Leonidas) on the corner of the port specialises in grilled meats and the best home-cooked food on the island, Ostria is also great for home-cooking, and Kryfo Limani is away from the crowds in a small garden. To Pefkaki also serves dinner some evenings from 8-10 pm.

For more modern Greek dining, Sunset has wonderful fish and killer views, Téchnē has excellent modern Greek over-looking the water in Avlaki, Plakostroto has a lovely garden in town, and both Castello beach club and Four Seasons beach club provide quiet dining experiences in the evenings on the water in Kamini and Plakes.

For drinking, 1821 Hydra is the best craft cocktail bar on the island, The Windmill from the same owners has cocktails and killer sunset views, and the Pirate Bar is a Hydra institution from early to late.

If you’d like any other recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask me. And for everything else, the best online source for all island information is www.hydradirect.com, run by local estate agent Kelsey Edwards. If you love Hydra as much as I do, you may want to ask her about a more permanent investment.

Staying connected

There is Wifi throughout the house, including an extender to help the signal around the meter thick stone walls.

Network: KiafaHouse / KiafaHouse Ext
Password: KiafaHouse

It won’t be like home, as it is provided through the phone line, but it’s generally dependable. Cellular coverage is also generally good at the house, unlike many parts of the island.

Outdoor activities

In the front bedroom there are Greek Niyama yoga mats, tennis racquets, swimming and snorkelling masks, three dry bags, free diving supplies and a buoy. There are baskets of Greek towels (foutas) in each room for swimming.

There is a Japanese soaking tub in the small inner courtyard and a hammock and deck chairs for the terrace.

Excellent horse riding in the mountains is offered through Harriet’s Horses. Fishing excursions can be arranged daily with Yiannis and Katerina through Fishing with Yiannis. Rib boat rentals, with or without a skipper, can be arranged with Hydra Boat Rentals, Seaduction or Hydra-rent-a-boat. And for a special experience, luxury boat trips can be arranged through Saronic Veil on their Targa 30, Lady Moura, or their wooden sailing yacht, Apiliotis.

There are regular live performances presented at the Hydrama outdoor amphitheater and films at the Hydra Outdoor Cinema.

If you’d like to explore more of the island’s rugged nature on foot, there are hiking maps in the library. There’s a paved climb up to the main monastery, Profitis Elias. Or for the brave, a two hour hike will take you to the back side of the island and the secluded beach of Limioniza, a three-to-four hour hike will take you to the stunning secluded beach of Nisiza, and a four-to-five hour hike will take you to the organised beaches at Bisti and Agios Nikolaus where you can return to town by ferry. The trail to Limioniza descends from the Agios Nikolaus Monastery to the west of the house. The other distant beaches mentioned above are to the east of the house. The trail to those starts at a nearby church, marked on Google Maps. Be prepared with maps and plenty of water.

Indoor activities

While there is no television in the house, screens do come in handy sometimes. There is a large projection screen in the living room and a self-levelling Samsung projector located in the antique chest that connects to Wifi or to your phone or tablet.

There are also several sets of backgammon (tavli in Greece), chess and other board games in the wooden trunk. However, being Greece, there is scarcely an establishment on the island without one, so no need to take them from the house. They are all handmade in Greece so please treat them with care.

If you’re musically inclined, there is a Martin guitar and Korg D-1 digital stage piano. There is also a professional telescope you are welcome to use. Please treat all with care.

Wellness

Armonia Wellness Center provides a range of services including massage, cosmetic treatments, yoga and pilates in its location near the port behind the Pirate Bar. (armonia.hydra@gmail.com // +30 22980 52477 // +30 6944 316 364)

Artemis Retreats hosts morning yoga led by the wonderful Skyrah Archer during select weeks in summer at the historic Oikonomou Mansion near the house in Kiafa (skyrah.palli@gmail.com // +44 771 493 3778)

Hydra Flow by Pagona Paraskeva hosts early morning classes on the sea near the port (npagona@gmail.com // +30 694 209 9239)

Pénélope Hausermann hosts classes in French and English nearby on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 am. (hausermannpenelope@gmail.com // +33 6138 24616)

Rena Floria provides excellent in-home massage services including aromatherapy, detox, sports massage, reflexology, face, cupping, stones and more. (+30 6982 075511)

Art

As you will see there is a great deal of art in the house. Most of the paintings are mine and are for sale.

If you are interested in knowing more about a specific piece, me or my practice, feel free to reach out to me or visit wesleyeberlestudio.com.

Appliances

Water is collected in a cistern under the single-story building. An electric pump provides the necessary water pressure at this elevation. Whole-house water filtration eliminates the need for plastic and bottled water.

There is a combination washer/dryer in the outdoor utility closet. There are two refrigerators and two coffee machines — one Nespresso and one frappe.

Each bedroom has air-conditioning and ceiling fans, and there are additional portable fans if needed. For cooler months, all air conditioners run in reverse to heat the bedrooms, and there is an electric heater for the upstairs rooms.

There is a hairdryer under the sink in the main bathroom and an iron and ironing board in the closet. There are also robes in each bedroom.

Cleaning supplies are under the sink, there is a cordless vacuum cleaner in the closet of the rear bedroom, and there is a mop and broom in the outdoor utility closet.

There is an outdoor charcoal grill, but please take great care in summer months and do not leave open flames unattended. Forest fires are deadly.

Consumables

There is handmade Greek soap and Korres shampoo in every bathroom and the outdoor shower.

Additional linens are located in the antique chest in the living room.

The closest food market, Gavrilis, is located less than five minutes down to the left from the house. Slightly further down is the Four Corners market.

Animals

As you’ll see, there are more cats than people on the island. And there is one “wild” cat, Antigoni, who frequently makes my terrace home. Feel free to feed her, but please do not let her in the house.

In case of emergency

Hydra Emergency Number: 199
International Emergency & Rescue: 112
Fire Department: +30 22980 53199
Coastguard (Port Police): +30 22980 52279
Police: +30 22980 52205
Hospital +30 22980 53150
GP & First Aid: +30 22980 52420

Other

There is a security camera that does not operate when guests are staying at the house. Please enjoy your privacy.