Spetses
Discover Spetses
The island and town of Spetses (sometimes called Spetsai) is extremely popular with Athenians, who swarm the place during Easter and summer weekends. Due to the nature of available accommodation, package tourism has not caught on much. Spetses administratively belongs to the Prefecture of Attica, although its proximity to the Peloponnese mainland puts it geographically in Argolis. It had a population of 3,750 in 2021.
Famous Beaches
Taste of Spetses...
Restaurants abound in Spetses, especially in the high season, ranging from local fast-food outlets to posh, haute-cuisine affairs. Several remain open even in winter, when food is often served around the fireplace. Many of the popular bars of Spetses are found around the Old Harbour, which is the place to see and be seen for most Athenians holidaying in Spetses. There are also several popular cafes and ouzeris clustered around the main Dapia harbour, and several more scattered along the coastal road leading northwest from town. Almost all accommodation is in Spetses Town, generally in one of three areas. There are several large hotels and also rent-room places right in or near the main Dapia harbour, which is convenient but can be noisy. There are some studios a 20-minute or so walk away to the east, around the Old Harbour, more atmospheric but a little out of the way. About an equal distance from Dapia the other direction are a number of hotels and studios, most notable of which is the Hotel Spetses: this area is not particularly atmospheric away from the shore, but it is relatively quiet, and is near Kaiki Beach and to the Patralis restaurant and other pleasant restaurants and cafes. Plenty of hotels cater to visitors on the island, but rooms tend to be tiny, prices high and service mediocre. Advance reservations are highly recommended during summer months weekends, and during Holy Week at Easter.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe preferred method of travel from Athens to Spetses is by sea from the port of Piraeus. In high season several passenger-only hydrofoils and catamarans of Hellenic Seaways depart the port of Piraeus daily, calling at the islands of Poros, Hydra and Spetses, as well as the mainland ports of Ermioni and Porto Heli on the Peloponnese. Depending on the ports of call, trip duration from Piraeus to Spetses is between 1 hour 45 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes. Passenger tickets cost €35 one way. From Porto Heli, as of 2014, a one-way passenger ticket is €1.50 by ferry boat or €5.50 for the airfoil. Only the regular ferry carries motorcycles and bikes to Spetses. Only locally registered private cars are allowed on the island; you can't bring yours from the mainland. Winter sees a major reduction in service, with only four hydrofoils daily. These are subject to cancellations when the weather turns nasty....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
With private cars banned from the island, local transportation is very expensive (although most attractions are within reasonable walking distance). In high season there are two buses connecting the town with the beaches of Aghioi Anargyroi and Aghia Paraskevi on one side and Ligoneri on the other side. Other land transportation includes four taxis and several horse-drawn buggies (high season only). Plenty of bikes and motorcycles are available for hire. In summer tourist boats provide day trips to the beaches of Aghioi Anargyroi, Aghia Paraskevi and Zogeria. Water taxis are also available year-round, connecting Spetses Town with any beach on the island or the coast of the Peloponnese, just across the narrow straits, but these can be very expensive. Low-season options are restricted to water-taxis and the four land-based taxis, with the horse-drawn buggies withdrawn from circulation and the buses assigned to transporting students to and from schools.
Where to Stay
Almost all accommodation is in Spetses Town, generally in one of three areas. There are several large hotels and also rent-room places right in or near the main Dapia harbour, which is convenient but can be noisy. There are some studios a 20-minute or so walk away to the east, around the Old Harbour, more atmospheric but a little out of the way. About an equal distance from Dapia the other direction are a number of hotels and studios, most notable of which is the Hotel Spetses: this area is not particularly atmospheric away from the shore, but it is relatively quiet, and is near Kaiki Beach and to the Patralis restaurant and other pleasant restaurants and cafes. Plenty of hotels cater to visitors on the island, but rooms tend to be tiny, prices high and service mediocre. Advance reservations are highly recommended during summer months weekends, and during Holy Week at Easter. Rooms to let are also available, with owners sometimes meeting arriving boats.
Money & Budget
The local specialty of Spetses (as also of many other Greek islands) are Amygdalota, little almond cakes, sprinkled with icing sugar. The most popular are available at the well-established pastry shops of Klimis and Politis. Restaurants abound in Spetses, especially in the high season, ranging from local fast-food outlets to posh, haute-cuisine affairs. Several remain open even in winter, when food is often served around the fireplace. Many of the popular bars of Spetses are found around the Old Harbour, which is the place to see and be seen for most Athenians holidaying in Spetses. There are also several popular cafes and ouzeris clustered around the main Dapia harbour, and several more scattered along the coastal road leading northwest from town.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Spetses
Smells like summer, just by looking at the sea you can feel the cold water in your toes
Morning in Spetses
Zogeria Beach
Smells like summer, just by looking at the sea you can feel the cold water in your toes
Morning in Spetses
Zogeria Beach
Smells like summer, just by looking at the sea you can feel the cold water in your toes
Morning in Spetses
Zogeria Beach
Smells like summer, just by looking at the sea you can feel the cold water in your toes
Morning in Spetses
Zogeria Beach
Smells like summer, just by looking at the sea you can feel the cold water in your toes