Why All Art Lovers Should Visit Hydra This Summer

As Hydra, Greece, prepares for its busiest season, Culture Trip explores why this idyllic island is a must-visit for art lovers.

During the summer Greek islands have long proved alluring for travellers from across the world. But your visit need not be comprised solely of sun, sea, and calamari. Each year Hydra becomes an artistic hub throughout the summer months, and this year looks set to be a highlight of the Greek cultural calendar.

Located a few hours from Athens by boat, Hydra has always been a popular day trip and weekend spot for Athenians looking to escape from city life. It’s also home to the iconic Greek art collector Dakis Iaonnou, who opened a new exhibition space on the island in 2008, as part of the wider collection of spaces in the Deste foundation. The project space Slaughterhouse on Hydra has hosted a major artist exhibition every year since it began. Previous years have seen artists such as Kara Walker, Paul Chan and Urs Fischer exhibit.

On its 10th anniversary the space will welcome British artist David Shrigley. Shrigley’s work will be a site-specific piece called Laughterhouse. The work is rendered in the form of a documentary which examines goats that cry like human beings. If it sounds weird that’s exactly as it should be; David Shrigley is widely known for his humorous, off-kilter mixed media works.

David Shrigley at the Slaughterhouse project space on Hydra, 2018

Visit the David Shrigley’s show on Hydra and you’ll find yourself in excellent artistic company. The show coincides with Art Athina and is sure to welcome dynamic gallerists and artists from across Europe for the festivities.

Running throughout the summer months, this exhibition certainly provides a huge draw for art lovers looking for a new experience. However Hydra also offers other artistic charms to make your trip more than worthwhile.

Alongside Slaughterhouse, visitors can stop by the Hydra Museum Art Gallery and Hydra School Projects. Both organisations champion Greek and international artists with initiatives throughout the year.

While you wander around the serene and car-free island, taking in the donkeys and tranquil blue waters, you might even find inspiration here yourself.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.