Poros & Hydra: pearls of the Saronic Gulf
€865
per person
On this island hopping & hiking tour you will explore on foot two of the most enchanting islands of the Greek Saronic Gulf, both within easy reach of Athens. Whereas Poros is covered with fir forests, Hydra is a rockier island with great walking possibilities and changing views on every turn. The trip starts with an overnight stay in the historic center of Athens. You can take your time (also in the form of pre-tour night/s, which you can book through us as well) to stroll through the lush green National Gardens and past the ancient Olympic Stadium. Via the pedestrian zone around the Acropolis you can see the Parthenon temple, and the Roman and Ancient Greek markets. On your second tour day reach the forested island of Poros by ferry and do a superb walk to the ancient temple of Poseidon. The small peninsula, on which the old town of Poros is built, offers plenty of possibilities as you wander through narrow lanes and sip on ouzo with a “meze” in one of the cafes on the quay. Your next destination is again within a short boat ride – the beautiful island of Hydra, situated just off the coast of Peloponnese. Hydra is a completely car-free island offering a wide network of intact historic footpaths! Hydra town is very pretty, with stone mansions and narrow cobbled streets. One of the walks starts after taking a local water taxi to the secluded bay of Ledeza. At the end of the tour sail back to the port of Piraeus by catamaran/speed boat (2 hrs ride) and continue exploring Greece on your own.
Level 2/3
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Destination
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Duration8 Days I Level: 2/3 (of 5)
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What is includedAccommodation (3* hotels with en-suite rooms, incl. breakfast (1x in Athens, 2x in Poros and 4x in Hydra); People and luggage transfer on Day 2 from the hotel in Athens to Piraeus; Luggage transfer port-hotel in Poros (Day 2); Luggage transfer hotel in Poros-port (Day 4); Ferry ticket Piraeus-Poros (Day 2), Ferry ticket Poros-Hydra (Day 4) and ferry ticket Hydra-Pyraeus (Day 8); Detailed road book and maps in English (incl. access to GPS tracks); Emergency phone assistance;
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What is not includedAirport arrival and airport departure transfers; Travel insurance; Drinks and other meals; City tax (payable locally in the hotels; 1,5-10 Euro per person/night depending on the hotels category)
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Best periodApril, May, June, July, August, September, October
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided hiking tour on Poros and Hydra island by Athens, Greece
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Day 1: Arrival at Athens
Athens is within easy reach of Athens Airport (0,45-1hr journey, using bus, metro or train). You may consider joining a free walking tour of Athens, which will show you some of the most famous places of interest.
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Day 2: Athens - Poros (ferry) (5km, 2hrs, +100m/-100m)
In the morning you will be picked up for a transfer to the port of Piraeus, where you will board the ferry for Poros Island. In the afternoon you will have time for a nice walk on the peninsula of the old town of Poros, where you can enjoy its brightly coloured houses up to the ruins of an old windmill. Here it is time to stop and enjoy breath-taking views across the narrow Galatas Channel towards the high peaks of the Peloponnese. Continue hiking along the ridge and follow a partly paved path ("kalderimi") leading towards the church of Ag. Anargyroi. Sitting in front of it, you will have a 360 degree panoramic view. Eventually descend along a different path back to Poros.
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Day 3: Poroso - Poseidonos - Poros (11km, 4hrs, +500m/-500m or shorter option of 5km)
Today’s self-guided walk leads you first along the coast, from where you ascend through forested areas and small olive groves towards the archaeological site of Poseidon. You may find the Sanctuary of Poseidon worth visiting, although excavations are still in progress. It is situated in a strategic position, 200m above sea level. The sanctuary was dedicated to the worship of Poseidon, but there is evidence that the site was inhabited already from prehistoric times. Leaving the site behind you continue your ascent, eventually reaching the highest point for the day. Then start the descent through open woodland until you finally reach the coast at the area Perlia, where your hotel is located. If you prefer to do a shorter walk (5km, 2,30hrs) you can do the round walk via the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi (an important historical site).
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Day 4: Poros- Hydra (ferry)(5km, 2hrs, +200m/-200m)
Today you will travel by high-speed to Hydra (several departures daily). As you approach the island and have a first glimpse over its nature, you will see the striking difference as compared to Poros Island: Hydra consists mostly of rocky mountains and a curved coastline. The main town and port are among the most beautiful in Greece, with preserved neo-classical mansions, white-washed village houses and narrow cobbled lanes climbing steeply up from the horseshoe shaped harbour. Quite rightly, the whole town is preserved as a national monument. In the afternoon you can do a lovely walk on Hydra as you get to know the town and the sparsely-populated area inland.
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Day 5: Hydra (10 or 17km, 3,30 or 5,30hrs, +250 or 550m/-250 or 550m)
The first of the two main walking routes crossing Hydra begins at Hydra’s main town and ends on the western side of the island, with Bisti Beach and the small church of Ag. Georgos. This side of the island is covered with rich vegetation and the pine forest reaches down to Bisti Beach, offering a very different side of the island than the one usually associated with Hydra: a formation of bare rock. First you walk along the northern coast through the villages of Kaminia, Vlychos, Plakes and past the Bay of Palamidas with its small dockyard. From there you have the option of returning to the town of Hydra via a different route OR walking further inland to ascend to the village of Episkopi. After Episkopi, the footpath continues towards the coast. You will enjoy impressive views and walk mainly through lush vegetation. Your route ends at the picturesque bay of Bisti with its small church, Agios Georgos. In high season there are sunbeds for rent. You can return to the town of Hydra by water taxi (payable locally and not included in the standard arrangement).
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Day 6: Hydra - walk to Mt. Eros (588m) (10km, 4,30-5hrs, +700m/-700m)
The circular walk for today takes you to the summit of Mount Eros on the island of Hydra, 588m high. A wide “kalderimi” winds uphill from the town of Hydra to the Monastery of Profitis Elias, situated just 100m below the summit. From here a trail leads up to the summit, where you can enjoy splendid views over Hydra, the surrounding islands and the Peloponnese. The return route to the town of Hydra follows a different trail, descending gradually to the settlement at Episkopi and further to Hydra.
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Day 7: Hydra- walk to Zourvas Monastery (9 or 17km, 3,30 or 5,30hrs, +400 or 750m/-400 or 750m)
For today’s hiking route on Hydra you will be taken by a water taxi to Ledeza Bay (optional service, which is not included; should be pre-ordered; check the "Rates & Remarks" tab for price details). From the bay you ascend to the Monastery of Zourvas, situated in a barren landscape, dominated by stone. You can choose to walk directly back to the town of Hydra via a clear footpath. You will walk through wooded areas as well, full of oaks and cedars. The route passes the monasteries of Aghia Matrona and Aghia Triada. Next is the monastery of Aghios Nikolaos, from where you start the final descent towards the town of Hydra. For the longer walk you first continue further east, in direction of the lighthouse of Zourvas and via the church of Agios Ioannikios. This church seems to be hanging from the cliffs while the sea shimmers 100m below, creating a dazzling sight. The end of the route is marked by the stone lighthouse of Zourvas, which is now automated. The only guests in the area are semi-wild goats that roam and graze on the land. Return on foot to Zourvas Monastery and then follow the standard route via Aghia Matrona, Aghia Triada, Aghios Nikolaos and Chora (via a saddle marked by windmills).
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Day 8: Departure day
Walk with your luggage to the port via the cobbled streets of Hydra. There you will board a high-speed vessel to travel back to Piraeus/Athens. End of services.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
865 Euros per person in twin/dbl room (01-09/04)
970 Euros per person in twin/dbl room (18-24/04; 28/09-25/10)
1025 Euros per person in twin/dbl room (07/05-12/06)
1070 Euros per person in twin/dbl room (10-17/04; 25/04-06/05; 13/06-25/07)
1145 Euros per person in twin/dbl room (26/07-27/09)
* Triple rooms available on request (contact us for details)
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement:
640 Euro (01-09/04; 18-24/04; 07/05-12/06; 28/09-25/10);
760 Euro (10-17/04; 25/04-06/05; 13/06-27/09);
Solo traveler supplement (incl. also sgl. room supplement):
770 Euro (01-09/04; 18-24/04; 07/05-12/06; 28/09-25/10);
890 Euro (10-17/04; 25/04-06/05; 13/06-27/09);
*Triple rooms available on request (contact us for details)
Tips
Daily departures between the beginning of April and the end of October. The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks; cobbled mule tracks, footpaths, and some dirt tracks.
Accommodation
3* hotel in Athens (1x night), 3* hotel in Poros (2x nights) and 3* hotel in Hydra (4x nights); en-suite rooms, incl. breakfast. Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Day 1: Athens - Hotel Novus; Days 2/3: Poros - Hotel Saga; Days 4/5/6/7: Hydra - Hotel Hydrousa;
Send an enquiry about this tour
The reservation confirmation you will get right after placing an order only confirms that your booking is received and an agent has started working on it. It doesn't mean your tour is guaranteed! Wait to hear from us with final confirmation before booking flights or making any other arrangements, related to your holiday. The dates as listed below do not correspond with real-time availability!
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