The town of Hydra is where the main concentration of population is to be found. The town is built so that all the properties lining the natural amphitheater are focused on the harbour. This is where most of the population lives and works. The entire harbour front is lined with tourist shops, tavernas and cafés which is to be expected on an island that depends on visitors for its income.

Classic ArchitectureIn high season the harbour is packed with chairs filled with people enjoying the atmosphere, chatting with friends, taking coffee, having lunch and generally watching the theatre of Hydra's day to day activities. In the winter months it looks rather naked as all the chairs are stored away.

When Hydra was first settled by a few Albanian families in the 1600's they built their homes away from the main harbour, living on the higher slopes of the mountains towards the back of the amphitheater in an area that could be defended more easily from roving bands of pirates.

This area is still known today as Kiaffa, literally meaning "top" in Albanian.

Hydra from the air: Photo courtesy of Kyprianos BirisVisitors who are interested in architecture will see plenty of evidence still of the protective building styles of earlier centuries, particularly the arched bridges over steep streets that were used by the inhabitants to cross from one house to another without having to go outside.