Spetses: island guide, what to see, beaches and how to get there
An island of mansions, naval history and beaches, about an hour and a half from Piraeus.
- Fast boat from Piraeus: from about 1h30. Better to stay overnight.
- See: Dapia, the Bouboulina Museum, the Old Harbour and the mansions.
- September: the Armata festival. The island fills up, so book early.
Spetses suits a quiet weekend from Athens rather than a day trip. There is no kosher food on the island, so bring food from Athens.
Where is Spetses?
Spetses is a small, elegant island at the edge of the Saronic Gulf, off the Peloponnese coast. It is known for stone mansions, its role in the Greek Revolution and its beaches. According to Greeka, cars are banned in Spetses Town, so you explore it on foot. For the more distant beaches you use a car, the bus or a boat.
How to get to Spetses
- From Piraeus: a fast boat, from about 1 hour 30 minutes. In season there are several sailings a day.
- By car: drive to the Peloponnese coast opposite the island and cross by small boat or water taxi.
- Island hopping: combine it with Poros and Hydra. See ferries from Athens to the nearby islands.
Spetses is further than Aegina and Poros, so it is better to spend a night or two than to come for a day trip.
What to see in Spetses
- Dapia, the main harbour: where the boats arrive, with cafés, shops and mansions.
- The Bouboulina Museum: the home of Bouboulina, the heroine of the Greek Revolution who came from Spetses.
- The Spetses Museum: in a historic mansion, telling the island's story.
- The promenade to the Old Harbour: a seaside walk from the Anargyrios School, through Dapia, to the Old Harbour, with tavernas and boatyards.
- The Poseidonion hotel: a famous historic hotel facing the harbour, worth seeing even from outside.
The beaches of Spetses
According to Greeka, the main beaches are Vrellos, Agia Marina and Agia Paraskevi. Most are far from town, so you reach them by bus, car, boat or water taxi. Agia Marina is the closest to town.
When to go to Spetses
The season runs from May to October. In September the island holds the Armata festival, marking the naval battle of Spetses during the Revolution. At the end of the celebration a replica ship is burned in the bay. On those dates the island is full, so book early.
Tips for Spetses
- Getting around: on foot, by bike, by bus or by water taxi.
- Kosher: there is no kosher food on the island. Bring food from Athens. See kosher food in Athens and Shabbat times.
- Combine with the Peloponnese: Spetses is close to Nafplio. See the Nafplio guide.
FAQ
How do you get to Spetses from Athens? By fast boat from Piraeus, from about 1 hour 30 minutes. You can also drive to the Peloponnese coast and cross by small boat.
Are there cars on Spetses? Cars are banned in Spetses Town. People get around on foot, by bike, by bus or by water taxi.
What is there to see in Spetses? Dapia harbour, the Bouboulina Museum, the Spetses Museum, the Old Harbour and the stone mansions.
Can you do Spetses as a day trip? You can, but it is a very long day. It is better to stay a night or two.
