Greece’s island worlds are diverse and full of tourist features. Many of them are well-known and extremely popular destinations. Hydra is more of a summer hotspot for the locals, but still one of those seemingly hidden places that make up a very special charm that is waiting to be discovered. There is no airport, no car traffic on Hydra and the classic party holidaymaker will not get his money’s worth on the island. On the other hand, Hydra has its very own charm, offers a wonderful impression of art and culture in addition to a lot of relaxation.

From Piraeus to Saronic Island

Hydra (Greek Iydra) owes its name to the former abundance of water, which made early settlement possible and provided fertile soil. Over the centuries, the precious springs dried up and today the indispensable drinking water is obtained by a modern desalination plant. The island, which is about 50 square kilometers in size, belongs to the group of Saronic Islands and is part of the Attica region with the neighboring island of Dokos, which is directly adjacent to the northwest.

Most of the inhabitants live in the capital town of the same name, where the larger ferries from Piraeus also dock. In the summer months, there is sometimes quite a lot of hustle and bustle, because then Hydra becomes a resort for city dwellers from the metropolitan region of Athens who are looking for relaxation. About 65 kilometers separate the island from the port of Piraeus. The small mountainous island is most heavily built up on the northern land side facing the Peloponnese , while the parts in the south and east are almost uninhabited.

Between glamorous flair, exciting art scene and traditional idyll

The main town or some sections of the beach already radiate a little jet-set flair. The numerous shops and small boutiques offer fashion, jewellery and souvenirs. The arts and crafts in particular have a high status on the island and so more independent creations, accessories, designer pieces and art objects from different areas were created. Hydra’s cultural scene is vibrant and has been enlivening the island with extensive creativity since the early 1930s. At the same time, all branches of artistic creativity already paused on Hydra and not only allowed the age of modernity to flow into Greek culture. Intellectuals, scholars and artists used the inspirational power of Hydra, such as the Greek poet and Nobel Prize winner Giorgos Seferis.

The numerous exhibitions are extremely popular with visitors, for example in the “Lazaros Koundouriotis National Museum“, the “Historical Archive Museum of Hydra” or the “Melina Merkouri” art hall on the eastern harbour side of the main town. Along the coastal road towards Vlychos is the Hydrama Theatre, a charming venue for acting and dancing. The power of music also plays an essential role on the island. In many local beach bars, guests can experience this up close and live.

Gigs and small festivals are particularly popular on summer evenings. In addition to several local musicians, international stars such as Leonard Cohen and David Gilmour have already been inspired by the magic of Hydra. The former historic carpet factory from the 18th century is now home to a recording studio, which offers a great view over the island as well as an informative insight into the music scene.

Hydra – sightseeing, relaxation and beach holidays

The majority of visitors to Hydra are day visitors, but it is worth staying longer on the island. Travellers can get all the important information at the tourist office not far from the ferry pier. The accommodation options on site include as wide a range as the many restaurants and bars that offer fresh local specialties, traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of internationality or a refreshing cocktail with a direct sea view. There is a lot of variety on an exploration tour of the island. Since there is no car traffic, there is plenty of room for relaxation. Extensive hikes or guided routes on horseback are typical leisure activities on Hydra.

The numerous, sometimes very remote churches and monasteries, the elegant mansions, the windmills, fortress ruins and the lighthouse are part of the sightseeing program. While some holidaymakers find their inner peace in yoga or Pilates, others enjoy the excellent conditions for water sports. Whether it’s a sailing trip or a speedy ride on a licence-free speedboat, the leisure activities on offer are very diverse. On a romantic sunset cruise, the breathtaking beauty of the region will enchant. The sea taxi takes guests to remote beach sections or small bays. In addition to the numerous beaches, which consist of rock platforms or pebbles typical of the landscape, there are even areas with sand. Crystal clear water, sunbathing and fantastic scenery are included anyway.

Located in the northern Aegean Sea, the Sporades include over 300 islands, most of which are uninhabited. The name Sporades originated in ancient times and means something like “scattered” islands. Even though most of the islands of the archipelago are uninhabited, the archipelago with its green islands is one of the most beautiful in Greece.

Divided into the northern and southern Sporades, the archipelago attracts visitors with attractive islands, some of which are important for tourism. Among the northern Sporades are the islands of Alonnisos, Skopelos, Skiathos and Skyros. In the southern part of the archipelago, Karpathos, Samos, Kos and Rhodes beckon. Some of the islands are among the most popular destinations in Greece, and not without reason, as each of these islands has its own peculiarities.

Natural paradise Sporades

Today, many of the small Sporades islands are completely uninhabited and many of them are protected. While some islands have never been inhabited, Kyra Panagia is a beautiful example of how nature makes you forget that the island was once inhabited. A good 50 years ago, there were still about 100 inhabitants on Kyra Panagia and in 2000 there were just 10 inhabitants. Many once inhabited islands suffered a similar fate, including Peristera. Today, the islands are a beautiful destination for nature lovers, as numerous species of birds and plants, including rare specimens, are waiting to be discovered. But rare sea creatures also cavort around the uninhabited islands. North of Alonissos is the largest water reserve in Greece, where rare seals, seagulls, dolphins and fish species can be observed, among other things.

The most popular holiday islands in the Sporades at a glance

Northern Sporades

Consisting of 135 islands and rocky islets, the northern Sporades form. Skyros, Skopelos, Skiathos and Alonnisos are the largest islands and tourist attractions.

The island of Skyros inspires with its steep granite rocks and unique sights such as the Kastro, a castle-like fortification. Historic monasteries, churches worth seeing, archaeological excavation sites, museums, beautiful olive groves characterize the island. The island is known for marble mining, but also for the fact that old customs are maintained here, with a special highlight being the carnival customs of the islanders.

The island of Skopelos is famous for the 2007 filming of the film “Mamma Mia!” Became known. But the scenic beauty and the picturesque villages and settlements as well as the enchanting beaches have ensured that Skopelos inspires as a travel destination much earlier.

Skiathos delights sun worshippers with over 60 beaches and numerous sights. Special highlights are the Evangelistria Monastery and the Bourtzi Peninsula as well as the ruins of the former capital Kástro. A stroll through the main town of Skiathos Town, which is known for its picturesque, historic harbour, is also particularly appealing.

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Popular with nature lovers, the limestone island of Alonnisos presents itself with natural beaches where seals sunbathe and over which wild pigeons roam. The lively harbour town of Patitiri is considered to be extremely worth seeing.

Southern Sporades

The Southern Sporades include over 170 islands, including 30 inhabited ones. Among the largest and most famous islands are Samos, Ikaria, Kos and Rhodes.

Samos was an important trading center in ancient times and is now one of the most popular holiday islands in Greece. As the greenest island in the Aegean, Samos is particularly worth seeing with its meadows, forests and fields and numerous watercourses. Ancient sights such as the remains of the Temple of Hera or the city wall of Pythagório are just as inspiring as the Cave of Pytagoras, Ano Vathy (the oldest island settlement) or the beautiful beaches.

The island of Ikaria is known worldwide through the Icarus legend. Characterized by beautiful beaches, small fishing villages, lively port towns and lots of nature, the island enchants its visitors. Highlights such as the thermal springs, historic monasteries and the remains of the Artimes temple delight travelers from all over the world.

Kos not only boasts unique sights such as the remains of the Asclepieion of Kos or the plane tree of Hippocrates, but also the beaches of the island. But the island with its lively island capital Kos Town is also known for its ghost village of Agios Dimitrios, the abandoned village of Palio Pyli, the enchanting mountain village of Zia and the salt lake Alykes.

Rhodes, one of the most famous Greek islands, is also part of the southern Sporades. The popular holiday island enchants its visitors with fantastic sights such as the Grand Master’s Palace, maritime harbours, historic fortifications and numerous cultural highlights. But the island with its dream beaches also offers lively towns and picturesque villages as well as monastery algae in the interior, where the landscape is rather rough.

Sporades – the ideal destination for an individual and flexible holiday

If you are planning a trip to the Sporades and can’t decide between the numerous islands, you should consider island hopping. For example, forays through the beautiful nature of Aloniso can be enjoyed as well as a stroll through the old town of Skopelos or a walk through the pine slopes of Skiathos. The combination possibilities are diverse and so everyone can plan their own personal dream holiday on the Sporades archipelago.

The Greek islands in the Aegean Sea have enjoyed great popularity for many decades. Many of them are developed for tourism and are the favourite destinations of holidaymakers from all over the world. However, the more visitors can be found on the well-known islands such as Kos, Rhodes or Mykonos , the more the gaze is directed towards the islands, which have so far been little discovered. Limnos is without question one of the most interesting insider tips. The island has only begun to really adapt to travellers in recent years and holidaymakers will not only find almost untouched nature here, but also a wide variety of historical treasures that have almost been forgotten over time.

What is the Aegean island of Limnos all about?

Even though Limnos can only be found in many travel catalogues in recent years, the island has a long history, but it has almost been forgotten even within Greece. The first settlers are said to have been active here as early as 15,000 years ago. Whether this was after or before the story from Greek mythology, after Hephaestus was banished to the island, cannot of course be recreated historically.

What is certain, however, is that the Greeks, for example, made a stop on the island before their attack on Troy and spent a few weeks here. Limnos also bears witness to a long history, but over time it has disappeared a little in the fog of history. Only in recent years have holidaymakers rediscovered the almost untouched island for themselves.

At times, the island, like so many others, was under Turkish rule and it was not until the 20th century that the Greeks reconquered the island. Since then, the lives of the people on the island have not really changed. For quite a while, agriculture played a role, as did trade with the other islands in the immediate vicinity. Although there have always been guests on the island, there has only been a real increase in tourists in recent years. A small regional airport, which is handling more and more guests, also helps. However, most visitors still opt for the classic journey by boat and some of them only come to the island for a day to relax a little on the deserted beaches.

What does Limnos have to offer visitors?

In general, you should know that the island actually only caters to visitors in the months between June and September. During this time, most of the locals work in the restaurants and hotels. After and before, they usually pursue other activities, take care of the fields or are more likely to be found in the trades. That says a lot about the matter of course on the island, where the tourists don’t set the tone. This is exactly what many visitors are looking for on a trip to Limnos.

You should also be prepared for the fact that although there are now some accommodation options, they may not quite correspond to the comfort you typically expect in Greece . Many former houses and even fortresses have been converted into overnight accommodation. The actual cores of the city are still as they have always been. This is also part of the fascination that emanates from the island – everything seems much more untouched and unchanged and so you can still discover a real part of Greece here, which is not dominated by tourism.

What can you discover and experience on the island?

Those who travel to Limnos usually want to take a look at the almost untouched nature. Actually, the island is one big beach and many of the beautiful coasts are almost extinct even in the periods between June and September. This means that you can enjoy the sea all alone here. If you want to see a little more of the island’s nature, you can of course also go inside and use one of the many hiking trails that have been created as one of the few compromises for tourists. Between dunes and small rocks, a church on a mountain and the traces of the former civilizations on the island, you can understand why the inhabitants guard their island with argus eyes and make sure that tourism here does not change too much.

Poliochni is said to be home to one of the oldest settlements in Europe, and in the island’s capital, Myrina, you will not only find a beautiful harbour, but also a variety of restaurants with the traditional cuisine of the Aegean islands. If you then also visit the ruins of the former temples and the Acropolis, you may have already understood why more and more visitors are drawn to this almost untouched island. If you decide to stay overnight on Limnos, you will also get to know more of the charm of the inhabitants and almost always stay in one of the old houses that are made available here for the duration of the season.

Weather in Limnos