Despite Hydra’s cosmopolitan élan and close proximity to Athens, the best hotels in Hydra still remain blithely elemental. The timeless charm of the island unfurls around its historic port and weaves its way through narrow cobblestone streets where the absence of cars helps preserve the island’s slow and peaceful rhythm. No need for over-the-top accommodations when the setting is this beautiful.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Hotels and Airbnbs in Hydra:
- For the Creative Couple: Hotel Miranda
- For Your Very Own Swimming Spot: Kamini Apartment
- For Views from Above: The White House
- For an Intimate Boutique Hotel: Bratsera Boutique Hotel
- For a Luxe Beach Resort: Mandraki Beach Resort
- For Rooftop Meals With Impeccable Views: Villa Francesca
Hydra’s tranquil pace has for decades inspired artists and writers who have descended on its shores, often creating a home for themselves in some of Hydra’s most iconic guest house hotels—like Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant of Coperni, who had long vacationed on the island before choosing it as their wedding location. Fashion lovers and contemporary art enthusiasts should make time to visit to Deste’s Hydra Slaughterhouse Project—part of the Deste Foundation which was established in 1983 by art collector Dakis Joannou (“deste” meaning “look” in Greek). Occupying an old slaughterhouse since 2009, visitors during the summer season—June through October—can attend site-specific art exhibitions of solo and group artists; previous installations brought Jeff Koons, Urs Fischer, and Kara Walker to the island.
Accessing Hydra and getting to experience the island and its medley of charming boutique stays is as easy as taking a one-hour ferry from the Athens port or booking a private transfer with beloved yachting brand Cyanos. No matter how you choose to arrive, you’ll have plenty of idyllic hotels and vacation rentals to choose from.
Below, our favorite hotels and Airbnbs to live like a local on the Greek island of Hydra.
Hotels
Located on the main street that connects the harbor with Kala Pigadia, Miranda Hotel is set in an old mansion in Hydra, originally built in 1810 as a wealthy sea captain’s mansion. Since transforming into a 14-room boutique hotel in 1961, it has hosted a rotation of politicians, artists, actors and writers throughout the years and is one of the most beloved hotels on the island for its warm homespun atmosphere, characterized by the 18th and 19th-century furniture, antiques, and paintings by famous Greek artists.
- Amenities: Breakfast
- Address: Miaouli 454, Hydra 18040, Greece
The Rafalias family are something of an institution on Hydra, known to most visitors as the family behind the island’s beloved pharmacy, and their 19th-century mansion is an extension of that same warm, deeply rooted hospitality. This is not a traditional hotel: It’s a lived-in heritage home that happens to offer seven independent guest rooms, five of which come with their own kitchenettes. The shared spaces retain the charm and character of a true Hydraian residence, making it the kind of place where you feel less like a guest and more like a friend of the family who’s been handed a key.
- Amenities: AC, Wifi, Kitchenette with utensils (in 5 of the 7 rooms), snorkeling gear, hot tub in garden, gym, external sitting areas
- Address: Rafalia D. Street 7, Hydra 18040
At the core of Bellevalia Hydra rests a centuries-old stone mansion situated on a sprawling property that sits between mountain and sea. The eight room boutique hotel also features a taverna restaurant open for all three meals beneath the shade of a pergola on an elevated location overlooking the property’s own secluded beach. When guests are ready to explore the island, the port of Hydra is located close by and reachable for free via the hotel’s own boat.
- Amenities: Private beach, restaurant, bar
- Address: Plakes Vlychos, Hydra 180 40, Greece
Originally a sponge factory in 1860, Brastera was thoughtfully restored into a boutique hotel. Its name represents the place where fishing fleets once embarked on sponge harvesting expeditions. Today, the 25 ethereally-designed rooms surround the central garden with a pool, an enticing novelty for a hotel based in the heart of Hydra’s old town.
- Amenities: Pool, restaurant, pet-friendly
- Address: Hydra 18040, Greece
Opened in 2023 on the only sandy beach in Hydra as one of the first luxury resorts of its kind on the island of Hydra, Mandraki Beach Resort is situated just a brief 3-minute sea taxi ride from the port and occupies a meticulously renovated historic building composing 17 contemporary luxury suites with terraces and private pools and a Greek restaurant.
- Amenities: Private beach, restaurant, bar
- Address: Mandraki Bay, Hydra 18040, Greece
There’s a reason this Kamini villa feels different from the rest: It was once the home and workshop of celebrated Greek painter and sculptor Christos Karas, and that creative energy still permeates every corner. Meticulously renovated with architect-designed interiors, the whitewashed walls are offset by vibrant artwork, sculptures, and high-end furnishings that make it feel more like a private gallery than a holiday let. Set just meters from the waters of the Argo-Saronic Gulf with panoramic ocean views from each of its three terraces, it’s ideally positioned a two-minute walk from the beach and a short sea taxi from the main port. The whole villa sleeps up to 17 across six bedrooms—making it the rare find that’s equally suited to a large group or a multi-family trip—though individual suites can also be booked separately for a more intimate stay.
- Amenities: Daily maid service, concierge service, linen change every three days, transportation to/from Kamini/Hydra harbor, L’Occitane en Provence bath products, AC
- Address: Kamini, Hydra 18040, Greece
The Orloff house, optimally located on the West side of the port and just a five minute walk from the pier, underwent a thorough restoration in 2022 after it initially opened as a hotel in 1986. Today, the property features six modern rooms, two suites and various common spaces, patios, courtyards, and a garden. Each of the accommodations is decorated with full respect to the original structure of the home with high ceilings and large windows with traditional blue window frames that maintain a cozy atmosphere.
- Amenities: Breakfast
- Address: 9 Rafalia street, Hydra 18040, Greece
Airbnbs
This recently renovated Kamini apartment offers a comfortable and easygoing base just a short walk from the port. Though more bare-bones than modern, the space is bright and well-equipped, with an open-plan layout and cozy details like wood furniture, book-lined walls, sun hats hanging on hooks, and an idyllic outdoor dining area to spend slow mornings. It’s great pick for a laid-back Hydra getaway, especially for couples or small families looking for convenience, basic comforts, and a home with character.
- Bedrooms: 3
- Amenities: Washer, dryer, AC, WiFi, private patio
- Location: In Kamini
Just a 10-minute walk down into the center, this beautifully restored former sea captain’s house perched above Hydra Town features sweeping views of the harbor and sea. The property unfolds across multiple levels: arched windows, exposed beams, cozy interior rooms, and a shaded courtyard wrapped in jasmine that’s ideal for escaping the midday heat.
What sets it apart is the outdoor space; you book this spot for its generous sun-drenched terraces ideal for dining and lingering, plus its quieter corners in the garden and courtyard. A separate guesthouse makes it particularly well-suited to families or groups who want a little breathing room. Worth noting: like most of Hydra, access involves a fair number of stairs and a steep approach, which is entirely part of the island’s character but good to know going in.
- Bedrooms: 3
- Amenities: Washer, dryer, AC, Wifi, private patio
- Location: Hydra port
This tastefully decorated stone home in the quiet Bouagia neighborhood, just a 15-minute walk from the port was designed by two award-winning Greek architects. The two-storey house consists of two separate buildings, each with high ceilings, connected via a beautiful bougainvillea-filled courtyard with an idyllic outdoor dining area.
- Bedrooms: 3
- Amenities: Washer & dryer, private patio, AC, wifi, crib
- Location: In Bouagia
Unlike most homes on the island, there are no stairs required to access this stylishly designed home in the Kala Pigadia neighborhood, which in itself is an enticing reason to book. The house is split between two floors connected by an external staircase. The ground floor is composed of an open plan kitchen, a dining room, a spacious living room with a patio view and a bathroom, while the upper level features the master bedroom with high ceilings and a second bedroom with antique brass beds. The serene nature of the home extends into its outdoor areas, from a patio whose al fresco dining area is shaded beneath olive and lemon trees, to a private yard and terrace that features four sunbeds for taking in the views in the evening.
- Bedrooms: 2
- Amenities: Washer, AC, wifi, private patio, pet friendly
- Location: In Kala Pigadia
Tucked into the charming neighborhood of Kamini, a leisurely 15-minute stroll from the port, this two-bedroom apartment earns its place on the list for one standout reason: a private swimming area shared only with the other units in the building, that feels like a well-kept secret on an island where beach access is rarely a given. Local restaurants and even a supermarket are within easy reach, making it as practical as it is idyllic. And if you don’t want to lug your luggage to the house upon arrival, the host will put you in contact with a water taxi who can drop you right at the property.
- Bedrooms: 2
- Amenities: Beach access/beachfront, WiFi, washer, window A/C unit, patio
- Location: In Kamini
While the magical view house, located in a quiet hillside just a 10-minute walk from the port, is comfortably furnished and adequately equipped with all the essentials, the view–as the name would suggest–is its main draw. Watching the sunset from the large outdoor terrace is a memorable highlight for most guests and there’s also a smaller terrace on the first level, in which guests can read under the shade of a fruit tree or take in their morning coffee. For guests requiring a bit of privacy from the group, there’s a third bedroom situated in the intimate red cottage in the garden, which was just recently renovated with A/C and its own private bathroom.
- Bedrooms: 3
- Amenities: Washer, AC, private patios, Pack ’n play/travel crib & kids toys, WiFi, waterfront, shared beach access
- Location: in Kamini
Villa Francesca is ideal for larger groups, boasting a spacious and well-designed layout that includes the three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a grand living room with a cozy fireplace and a sleeping alcove perfect for children. Additionally, there’s a generously-sized kitchen with a dining area, along with three distinct terraces, including one with a large dining table that caters to 12 guests, a tranquil jasmine and wisteria-shaded terrace featuring a hammock and an open-air terrace adjacent to the living room that offers unobstructed views to the west towards the islands of Dokos and Spetses.
- Bedrooms: 4
- Amenities: Beach access/beachfront, WiFi, washer, window A/C unit, patio
- Location: In Kamini
This traditional stone house overlooking the small picturesque Kamini port features a comfortable living room with a stone fireplace, an open-plan kitchen equipped with porcelain dinnerware and two bedrooms with king-sized beds and spacious built-in closets. The stone-lined terrace hosts some of the best sunset views on the island. While the home is a scenic 20-minute walk to the center of Hydra (on a stone-paved, no car walkway), guests can also opt for a 3-minute water taxi ride that will pick you up and drop you off at the foot of the property.
- Bedrooms: 2
- Amenities: Shared beach access, private patio, washer, wifi, Pack ’n play/travel crib
- Location: In Kamini
