Exploration | Cotommatae

Discover the islands' hidden Treasure

An island untouched by time

The vehicle-free island of Hyrdra allows visitors to escape the hectic pace of everyday life and get in touch with nature and all of its offerings. Walk through stone-paved pathways, discover small chapels, monasteries, cloisters, rural houses, huts and ruins attesting to the island's unique architectural tradition and wild natural beauty.

Following the old trails, you can reach the six monasteries of the island. Discover the beauty of the untouched landscape. Explore the first settlement in the district of Episkopi, westwards, with the Protohellenic ruins. Swim in the crystal waters of Myrtoon Sea at the back of the island.

One pathway starts from the top of the town high up through Pevges woods and leads to the twin monasteries, that of Prophet Elias for monks and the Cloister of Aghia Efpraxia for nuns. The views to the Argolic Gulf or the Hydrian Straits are absolutely fantastic. At the monastery of Prophet Elias, you will have a chance to admire the Chapel and the Archontariki as well as the cell, where Theodoros Kolokotronis, commander in chief of the revolutionary Greek Army, lived for some months. Following the trail, you can go up to the highest peak of the island, Mount Eros, and from there, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Myrtoon Sea.

Another pathway starts from the eastern part of the town, passes by the Cloister of Aghia Matrona, the Cloiester of Aghios Nicolaos and the Monastery of Aghia Triada and then after a ten kilometers walk on trail, reaches the far off Cloister of Panaghia of Zourva, at the northeastern point of the island. There, the nuns will offer you traditional Hydrian treats and cold water from the monastery's cistern. You can ask them to give you directions on how to locate Aghios Ioanikios' hermitage, hanging on a precipitous rock over the sea.

Another pathway starts from the seashore road, west of the town, passes by the Periptero (Pavilion) and the windmill, where the "Boy and the Dolphin", starring Sophia Loren was filmed. The road goes past Avlaki and Boudouris Mansion, where "Phaedra" was filmed, starring Melina Merkouri and reaches Kamini and the taverna where "Mermaids and Urchins" was filmed and finally the picturesque little village of Vlychos. On your way past the small port of Palamidas, you start walking uphill to Episkopi, where the first Pormitive settlement existed, or you can change your route, towards the charming bay of Molos, Kaoumith and Bisti. You can dive into the blue-and-green waters, in an enchanting landscape where the pine trees grow as far as the sea.

When you return to town, do not miss the chance to experience the fantastic sunset from the rocks by the Pavilion and the canons that protected the settlement, while enjoying a refreshing cocktail.