Photo spot in Hydra
The stone lanes above the port
Stepped alleys of white walls, blue shutters and bougainvillea climbing behind the harbour, with the sea appearing at the end of every one.
About The stone lanes above the port
Get directionsBehind the quay the town climbs in steps. The lanes are just wide enough for two people and a loaded mule, paved in stone, walled in whitewash and grey masonry, with bougainvillea over the doorways and cats on every wall. Two or three turns up from the water the noise stops completely.
For portraits this is the shaded half of the island. The alleys are deep enough to stay out of direct sun through the middle of the day, which makes them the answer when a session lands at noon and the harbour is glaring. Climb far enough — towards the Lazaros Koundouriotis mansion, or higher on the path to the monastery of Profitis Ilias — and the frames open out over the roofs to the harbour and the sea.
Two courtesies: these are people's front doors, so keep gear tight and voices down, and give way to the mule trains, which have right of way and no brakes. The climb is real, so heels are a bad idea; bring them in a bag for the quay instead.
Best time to shoot
Midday, when the alleys hold shade and the harbour is glaring
Tips
Working lanes and private doorways: keep the setup small and give way to the mules. Steep steps throughout — bring flat shoes for the climb.
Other spots in Hydra
The harbour horseshoe
A tight oval of water enclosed by grey-stone shipowners' mansions, with fishing boats on the quay and no traffic anywhere behind them.
Hydronetta and the cannons
A bastion of old cannons on the western headland with swimming rocks below — the island's sunset seat, five minutes from the quay.
The coast path to Kamini and Vlychos
A stone path along the water to two small harbours, ending at an old arched bridge — twenty and thirty-five minutes on foot, and the island's golden-hour route.
Ready to book?
Our concierge team will hand-pick 2-3 photographers who know The stone lanes above the port — free of charge.