The Best Beaches in Hydra, Greece
Swim, sunbathe, and escape to the best beaches in Hydra, Greece—from local swim spots to remote, boat-accessed coves.
Hydra’s appeal lies in its deliberate simplicity—no cars, no airports, and no overdevelopment. It’s long been a hideaway for artists, writers, and now, a new wave of fashion insiders and creatives who appreciate its slow rhythm and historic charm.
The island’s cultural edge is anchored by the Deste Foundation’s Slaughterhouse Project, a contemporary art space set in a former abattoir and a new wave of gallery openings and pop-ups each summer.
But when it comes to beaches, Hydra isn’t your classic Greek island. There’s only one sandy beach here—Mandraki – reached by a short boat trip. The rest? Mostly rocky swimming spots and pebbled coves, often framed by stone terraces and backed by pine. These are places for diving straight into the sea, not sprawling on a lounger, especially if you’re not up for moving from Hydra Town.
Still, Hydra’s coastal charm runs deep. From the cliffside platforms of Spilia to the clear, calm waters of Vlychos, the island offers raw, unfussy beauty—and some of the best swims in the Aegean. Here are the best beaches in Hydra, Greece, for swimming, snorkeling, lazing, and just about anything else.
The Best Beaches in Hydra, Greece
Spilia, Hydra Town
Spilia is Hydra’s most iconic swimming spot—and it’s hiding in plain sight. Just a few minutes’ walk west of the harbor, this rocky outcrop below the Spilia Beach Bar has become the island’s unofficial lido: all stone platforms, iron ladders, and locals launching themselves off the rocks with enviable nonchalance.
There’s no sand, no frills—just a dramatic Aegean backdrop and water so azure and clear it feels like glass.
It’s a spot you come for a quick dip and end up a lot longer, sun-drenched and salty, with a spritz in hand from the nearby bar. In the late afternoon, Spilia turns golden—swimmers turn into loungers, the music picks up, and the harbor glows in that honeyed Hydra light. You’re still in town, technically, but it hardly feels like it.
Hydronetta, Hydra Town
Tucked just beyond Spilia, Hydronetta isn’t so much a beach as it is a mood. Built into the rocks overlooking the Aegean, this beloved bar-meets-swim-spot has long been the go-to for Hydra’s golden hour crowd. Stone steps lead straight into the sea, while sun-bleached tables and faded parasols offer just enough shade for a midday linger.
Come for a swim, I recommend doing so towards the late afternoon, where you can also stay for the scene—Hydronetta serves up strong drinks, laid-back music, and one of the best sunset views on the island. It’s all very casual, but with a quiet kind of glamour; the type where bikinis double as outfits and no one seems in a rush to go anywhere else.
Mandraki Beach
If you’re after something a little more classic—think sunbeds, umbrellas, a beach club and a taverna within arm’s reach—Mandraki Beach is where to head. It’s about a 20-minute walk or a quick private boat ride from Hydra Town, and while it’s a mix of sand and pebble (the closest to a sandy beach you’ll get on Hydra), it’s one of the more traditional beach setups on the island.
I like Mandraki for exactly that reason. It’s relaxed, easy, and has just enough going on without feeling busy. The water is calm and clear, perfect for a long swim, and there’s a low-key beach club vibe with loungers, a fantastic sushi menu, and cold drinks on tap at Mandraki Beach Resort.
You can make a day of it or just come for a few hours—either way, it’s a solid choice when you want to switch off for a bit.
Avlaki
Avlaki is one of those blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it spots—but that’s part of the charm. Just a short stroll from Hydra’s main harbor, past the cannons and along the coast, this tiny cove is tucked between stone walls and old houses with a steep staircase leading straight into the sea.
No beach, no bar, no crowds—just locals, a few in-the-know visitors, and some of the clearest water you’ll find in town. Above the beach, you’ll find Techne, one of the top spots to eat on Hydra, where I highly suggest heading to for a long lunch or cocktails post-swim.
If you want a swim without leaving town—or a peaceful spot to read while your feet dangle in the water—Avlaki is as good as it gets. The beach is still technically closed after a landslide, but during my most recent visit, many were jumping the fence and going down nevertheless.
The beach can also be accessed by swimming in from Hydronetta.
Kamini
Just a 15-minute walk west along the coast from Hydra Town, Kamini Beach offers a quieter, more local vibe without straying too far from the action. This Hydra beach is small and pebbly, great for a low-key swim, with a few sunbeds and plenty of flat rocks to stretch out on.
The water is calm, making it ideal if you’re traveling with kids or just want an easy, no-fuss dip.
Food-wise, you’re in luck. For lunch, head to Taverna Christina or Pirofani Taverna, both just a short stroll from the beach and perfect for a fresh seafood plate or a lazy mezze spread.
If you stay through sunset—and you should—book a table at Castello, the beachside restaurant right above the water. It’s one of the best spots on the island for dinner with a view.
Vlychos
Vlychos is one of Hydra’s more laid-back beach options, located about 30 minutes on foot (or 10 by water taxi) west of Hydra Town. The beach is pebbled, backed by a sleepy hamlet and surrounded by pine-dotted hills—quiet, with just the right touch of rustic.
It’s a great spot when you want to spend a few hours swimming, reading, and generally doing nothing in peace.
There are loungers available, but you can just as easily throw down a towel. When you get hungry, Marina Taverna—the beachfront taverna right behind the beach—is worth a stop. The food is solid (think grilled octopus, crisp salads, cold rosé), and the setting couldn’t be better. Vlychos feels a bit like Hydra in slow motion—and makes for the perfect beach day away from Hydra Town.
Plakes
If you’re craving space and a slower pace, Plakes Beach is a solid escape. Reachable in about 10 minutes by water taxi from Hydra Town (or a scenic 45-minute walk if you’re feeling up for it), Plakes feels more remote than it is—open skies, clear water, and room to breathe.
The beach is wide and pebbly, with sunbeds and umbrellas if you want them, but also plenty of space to roll out a towel and keep it simple.
There is a great eating option nearby, too. A little further inland, you’ll find Four Seasons Hydra, a boutique hotel with a sleek beachfront restaurant, Tassia’s Tavern that’s more polished but still relaxed. Between the swims and the food, Plakes makes for an easy full-day outing when you want to leave town behind—but not go too far.
Molos
Molos doesn’t get much attention, and that’s exactly why it’s great. Located just beyond Vlychos, it’s one of the last beaches in Hydra before the path starts to thin out and the landscape turns wild. Getting here takes a bit of effort—either a longer coastal walk or a water taxi—but once you arrive, it’s quiet, uncrowded, and totally unfussy.
There’s no beach club or long list of amenities—just a stony stretch of coastline, clear water, and the occasional local fishing boat puttering past. If you’re into calm swims and no scene whatsoever, Molos is your spot.
Bring water, snacks, and everything you need for the afternoon, and of course, arrange with a water taxi to be picked up later—it’s just you and the sea out here, in the best way.
Bisti
Bisti feels like a little escape within the island—remote, peaceful, and surrounded by pine forest. Tucked into a protected cove on Hydra’s southwest coast, it’s one of the few Hydra beaches where you can actually spend a whole day stretched out on a lounger with everything you need close by.
The water is clear and calm, ideal for swimming and snorkeling, and the wide pebbled shore is perfect if you’re looking for a more classic beach setup.
There’s a small snack bar on-site with sandwiches, drinks, and a few basics, so you don’t need to bring much. Most people arrive by beach boat from Hydra Town—it’s a smooth 20-minute ride with several departures throughout the day, usually starting mid-morning and returning late afternoon.
You can hike here if you’re feeling adventurous, but it’s a rugged, four-hour trek across the island. For most, the boat is the way to go—and part of the fun. Once you arrive, there’s not much to do but swim, nap, snack, repeat.
Agios Nikolaos
If you’re looking to get off the grid for the day, Agios Nikolaos delivers. Set further west along the coast beyond Bisti, this long, pebbly stretch of beach is one of the most remote and scenic—on the island. Surrounded by rocky hills and backed by open sky, it has that middle-of-nowhere feel without being totally off-limits.
You can only get here by boat—around 30 minutes from Hydra Town on the same beach boats that go to Bisti. Departures run a few times daily, so it’s easy to plan around. Once you arrive, there are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, plus a small kiosk selling drinks and snacks.
The beach is wide and uncrowded, with crystal-clear water that’s perfect for long swims and lazy floating.
If you’re up for a short climb, there’s a whitewashed chapel perched in the hills above the beach—a quick 10-minute hike with panoramic views over the bay. It’s peaceful, scenic, and a great excuse to stretch your legs before heading back down for one last dip.
All in, Agios Nikolaos is the kind of place you come to switch off completely—and maybe wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
Limnioniza
One of the best beaches in Hydra, Greece, particularly amongst adventurous swimmers, Limnioniza is Hydra at its most untouched. Tucked into a rocky bay on the island’s southeast side, this remote spot isn’t accessible by boat—you’ll have to hike about 90 minutes from Hydra Town to get there—but what awaits is worth the trek: deep, clear water, dramatic cliffs, and total solitude.
There’s no beach bar, no sunbeds, no shade—just a narrow stretch of white pebbles and the kind of silence you don’t often find in the Greek islands. You’ll want to pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.
It’s raw, rugged, and not for everyone—but if you’re after a swim that feels truly off the map, this is it. Limnioniza is less a beach day, more a mission—and that’s exactly what makes it so good.
So, which one of these beaches in Hydra, Greece, will you be choosing to lay down a towel? Let me know in the comments below.
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