google.com, pub-3387582883220815, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
HydraDirect logo - Travel and tourist information for Hydra Island Greece

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island

A Greek Island winter holiday is not something you might immediately think of, but here is why you might consider an off-season, winter holiday on Hydra Island.

In my opinion, the winter off-season on Hydra Island is the best half of the year. It's relaxed and more laid back and without the pressure of so many visitors it reverts to the gentler, softer place which is what I most enjoy about living here. Visitors who only ever come during the summer really don't know what they're missing.

 

All the photos shown on this page were taken between October to April.

Relaxing With The Locals

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect

The island's residents start to unwind and smile knowingly, gleefully greeting each other during October with the phrase "see you soon". The anticipation of eighteen hour working days, with no weekends off, coming to an end with the summer, is just around the corner!

 

The off-season is when Hydriots have time not only for each other but also to welcome visitors as friends and to get to know them even better. The off-season and winter atmosphere is reminiscent of the 60's and 70's when the island was less touristic and more informal.


Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect
Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect

Winter Essentials

Because the three-island-cruise boat visits throughout the winter, the island still gets an influx of daily visitors which keeps most of the shops open until the day-trippers depart. Obviously the supermarkets, butchers and bakers are open daily as are the banks so that this thriving community can function. And both the island's hairdressers are open so everyone can be pampered.  See Shops & Services.

 

Some of the owners of restaurants, hotels, guest houses and holiday-let house owners live permanently on Hydra (that is,. they are families with children in the island's schools). So they tend to stay open during most of the off-season except for a few weeks when they take their own holidays.


It means that Hydra never really closes.

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

What To Pack

Changeable weather that swings from sparkling sunshine to downpours of rain in the same day means you need clothing layers!

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Winter Travel Options

There's a reduced service with Hellenic Seaways but Hydra's own passenger ferry services and sea taxis keep us connected.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Dish Of The Day

There are enough restaurants, cafes and tavernas open during the winter to give you a choice of menus.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Where To Stay

You will need hotels, guest houses and holiday houses that supply heating with snuggly duvets and blankets.

Read more

What to Expect From The Weather

Expect a little of everything. The weather is mild although changeable and the countryside bursts with colour and fragrance makes walking blissful after the searing heat of the summer.

 

Often the still frequent bright sunny days entice people to swim from the almost deserted beaches. Yes it does rain, but unlike Northern European countries, it rains torrentially in one hit without endless grey months of drizzle. You can easily go for a walk in bright morning sunshine but have to take shelter from the rain in the afternoon! 

 

Temperatures from November to March can range from 2 - 20 degrees. It very rarely gets cold enough for snow. But the wind, especially if it is northerly, can be quite chilly. The cobble stones in Hydra town and along the harbour seem to 'bleed' dampness during the winter and can be quite slippery so you need to be careful walking. The trick to avoid slipping over when you walk is to step on the concrete between the cobbles. Please see What To Pack for more 'survival tips'!

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect
Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect
Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect
Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect

Wonderful Winter Colours

For artists and photographers the weather transforms the appearance of the island and it becomes even more photogenic with rapidly changing light, bursts of colour not seen during the summer and the clouds cast shadows that create dazzling multi-coloured sunsets. There are even days when the air is so clear that it appears as though someone has pulled the mainland closer so you can see the Peloponnese houses and roads.

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect
Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, on HydraDirect

Out & About

From October - March whilst the beaches may be deserted because the beach boats are in dry-dock (an even nicer time to visit them if the sun is shining), the countryside of Hydra becomes the favourite places of walkers, hikers and riders. Even elderly 'yayas' (grandmothers) take to the hills to collect 'horta' (wild therapeutic greens) and mushrooms. With a couple of days notice it's possible to hire a boat for those who want to be out on the water. And the island's amateur theatre group have time during the off-season to rehearse and perform their winter play for islanders and visitors to enjoy.

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Horse Trekking

Harriet's Hydra Horses is a horse trekking company offering countryside treks for all levels of experience and ages. Comfy western saddles and always with safety helmets.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Walking & Hiking

With no cars on Hydra, everyone walks everywhere. And hiking during the winter if you want to go to the furthest beaches is a must as the beach boats no longer run.

Read more

What's On

Hydra is never closed as some of the Greek Islands are. It's a living community with year around interests. The island's children go back to school, the Greek Orthodox Church continues to mark the months with the special services and regular observances that are the heartbeat of Hydra. This close-knit community visibly unwinds and becomes more sociable. Families, who hardly see each other during the summer, gather to eat and drink or take part in community events which is impossible for them to do during the high season because they were running their businesses.

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

28th of October

The end of the high season is marked by the yacht races and the celebration of Ochi Day.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

14th of November

St. Konstandinos is the Patron Saint of Hydra and on this day there are church services and a procession from the top of the hill to the town.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Christmas & New Year

This time of the year is less commercial than you'll find in the rest of the world. Hydra bucks the trend as the school children greet Father Christmas who arrives at the end of term on a donkey!

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

6th of January

Everyone hopes for sunny weather at least for Epiphany when the youngsters of Hydra dive into the chilly water of Hydra harbour to retrieve the cross thrown in by the priest to bless the sea.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Carnival

Carnival is held in the early  spring a month or so before Pascha so the date changes each year.  Independence Day is always celebrated on the 25th March

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Pascha (Easter)

The Greek Orthodox Pascha (Easter) is the biggest event in the religious and holiday season for all Greeks. So you will need to book well in advance if you're intending to join the celebrations on Hydra.

Read more

Winter Sports

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Swim/Run Hydra

Annual sports fixture that's held annually in November.

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Hydra's Trails Event

Annually held in April this is a hugely popular event with both the international competitors and supporters

Read more

Winter Holidays on Hydra Island Greece, HydraDirect

Football

Hydra has a very active and well placed league football team who play away and host games at the Stadium on Sunday's throughout the football season.

Read more

Share this page

Share by: