Ydra – Magical Greek island

How to find your perfect place of Mediterranean coastline, which stretches for 46 thousand kilometers through 21 countries and is surrounded from three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia? Could you leave on vacation on a peaceful island without cars? Currently in the world are moving more than 500 million cars and to find a place where there are not any cars is really difficult. However, it is not impossible.

This is one of the most popular places that you can visit near Athens. If you are looking for luxury and big hotels, this island is not for you. Here you will find small traditional and warm Greek houses, where peace and Mediterranean tranquillity reign.

Ydra (1)

Image by Maria Panayiotou via Flickr

Ydra (2)

Image by elias filis via Flickr

Northeast of the Peloponnese island is stretching another small island. Its name is Ydra. It is away about 70 km by air from Athens and belongs to a group Saronic islands. The island is home to some 2500 inhabitants who are mainly concerned with the cultivation of olives and tourism. Ydra is one of the most beautiful Greek islands with unique architecture, the place where with each step you can feel traditional Greek spirit.

Ydra (3)

Image by elias filis via Flickr

Ydra (4)

Image by elias filis via Flickr

Motor vehicles are banned and if you want to visit the only sandy beach, you need to travel with ferry. The old core of the city has interwoven structure, so another type of movement throughout the city is not possible. On the island there are six Orthodox monasteries. Also, on a hill facing the square, you can see two most important monasteries: Profitis Ilias, founded in the 10th century and monastery Ayia Efprakia. The port is very nice with its white houses and view of the hills and the blue sea.

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