Hydra's Monasteries

If you're staying for more than a day, you have time to explore Hydra's monasteries. Hire a mule (the donkey rank is located just outside the Alpha Bank in the western corner of Hydra's harbor; be sure to check prices with the muleteers first, as these can soar to more than €70 for some routes) for the ascent up Mt. Klimaki, where you can visit the Profitis Ilias Monastery (about two hours by mule from Hydra Town) and view the embroidery work of an inhabitant of the nearby nunnery of Ayia Efpraxia. Experienced hikers might be tempted to set off for the Zourvas Monastery at Hydra's tip. It's a long and difficult hike, but compensation comes in the form of spectacular views and a secluded cove for a refreshing dip. An alternative: hire a water taxi to Zourvas.

The convent of Ayios Nikolaos Monastery is to the southeast of Hydra Town, after you pass between the monasteries of Ayios Triadas and Ayias Matronis (the latter can be visited). Stop here for a drink and a sweet (a donation is appropriate), and to see the beautiful 16th-century icons and frescoes in the sanctuary. When hiking, wear sturdy walking shoes, and in summer start out early in the morning—even when traveling by mule—to minimize exposure to the midday sun. Your reward: stunning vistas over the island (resplendent with wildflowers and herbs in spring), the western and eastern coasts, and nearby islets on the way to area monasteries.