Aegina vs Hydra

Quick Verdict

Aegina if you want to eat, swim and see a temple cheaply; Hydra if you want the best-looking harbour in the Saronic and no vehicles at all.

How they compare

Dimension	Aegina	Hydra
Looks	A working harbour town, a fish market and a temple on a hill: honest rather than beautiful.	A stone amphitheatre round a horseshoe harbour, with no cars — mules, boats and feet only.
Swimming	Sandy beaches at Agia Marina and Marathonas, easy by bus, plus the quiet west end at Perdika.	Rocks and ladders off the harbour wall, and coves reached on foot or by water taxi.
Antiquity	The temple of Aphaia, one of the best-preserved temples in Greece, alone on its hill above the sea.	Nothing of the kind; the interest is the town, the mansions and the swimming.
Cost	The cheapest of the Saronic islands, and good value for food.	The most expensive of the three for rooms and dinner, especially in August.
Getting there	Hydrofoils from Piraeus in about forty minutes.	Hydrofoils from Piraeus in about ninety minutes.
Length of stay	A night or two, or a long day out of Athens.	Two or three nights; a day trip does not survive the last boat leaving.

Choose Aegina if

— you want a cheap island break from Athens
— you want a temple as well as a swim
— you are travelling with children

Choose Hydra if

— you want the most beautiful town in the Saronic
— you like the idea of an island without cars
— you want to swim off the rocks at dawn

Our Verdict

Different trips rather than rivals. Hydra is the postcard and deserves two nights; Aegina is the island locals actually use, half the price, and with the temple it holds the better half-day of sightseeing in the Saronic. Do Aegina as a night away and Hydra as a short stay.

All comparisons