Allowing our gaze to drift to the isle of Hydra, one word comes to mind: Nobility. Simple, stone houses with colorful doors and windows, and tile roofs stretch out over the hills surrounding the harbor. Among them stand the great mansions of the island’s legendary sea captains. The two- and three-story houses on the island are characterized by an interesting blend of island and mainland architecture. The windmills and cannons to the right and left of the port stand guard over the settlements of the island, protecting them from attack.

The history of Hydra starts from the Late Neolithic era, with her first inhabitants the Dryopians. These were followed by periods of dominance of Mycenaeans, Kares, Samians, Athenians, Troezenians, and eventually the Venetians and the Turks, until the liberation of the island in 1821. It became a great naval force during the 18th century. 150 ships from her fleet took part in the struggle for independence, under the command of such renowned revolutionary heroes as Miaoulis, Koundouriotis, Kriezis and others. The charm and atmosphere of Hydra has been a source of inspiration for many foreign artists such as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall; as well as the Hydrtiote artists, painter Hatzikyriakos Ghikas and poet Miltos Sachtouri. A branch of the School of Fine Arts has been in operation on the island since 1936, likely a result of the feeling that the island imparts into artistic souls.

Today visitors can wander amongst the bougainvillea-adorned neighborhoods, discover spots in the hills with panoramic views across the harbor, swim in the deep blue Aegean, and more. A fact about the island worthy of special emphasis is the near total lack of motorized vehicles. Hydra being a preserved settlement, private vehicles are prohibited (the privilege being reserved to the rubbish haulers), and personal transportation about the island must be arranged by alternative means such as donkeys, walking, caiques, and water taxis. Hydra has seen a continuously developing tourism industry that, without altering its essential identity, has given the island a cosmopolitan character, with many choosing it for their weekend getaways and more.