The back story
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The back story
Spetses: Bouboulina, belle époque and pine-scented bays
An elegant, pine-covered island of captains’ mansions, horse-drawn carriages and the heroine Bouboulina, with few cars in town.
Island guide · Spetses, the Saronic Gulf
Spetses island guide
Spetses is the most stylish of the Saronic islands: grand mansions and a belle-époque hotel, boatyards in the Old Harbour, pine-fringed bays and the memory of Laskarina Bouboulina, heroine of the 1821 revolution.
Plan your trip:Ferry timetables Arriving in Athens The Athens Riviera
Towns & villages
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The lively heart
Dapia
The main port and centre of Spetses Town, with cafés, shops, the old cannons and the boats to Piraeus.
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Boatyards and evening tables
Old Harbour (Palio Limani)
The island’s historic harbour, with traditional boatyards, yachts and waterfront restaurants and bars.
Sights & museums
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The heroine of 1821
Bouboulina Museum
The family mansion of Laskarina Bouboulina, naval commander of the War of Independence, now a museum.
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The island’s history
Spetses Museum (Hatzigiannis Mexis Mansion)
The island museum in the mansion of Hatzigiannis Mexis, with exhibits on Spetses and the War of Independence.
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A ship burns in the harbour
Armata festival
The September festival commemorating the naval battle of 1822, with a re-enactment and the burning of a mock ship.
Beaches & beach clubs
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Pines and a chapel
Agia Paraskevi
A beautiful pine-fringed bay on the west coast, with a chapel and clear water.
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Swim into a cave
Agioi Anargyroi & Bekiris Cave
A sandy bay on the south-west coast with tavernas, and the sea cave of Bekiris nearby.
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A quiet northern cove
Zogeria
A quiet pine-backed cove in the north-west of the island, with a taverna.
Restaurants & tavernas
Cafés & sweet things
Bars & nightlife
Where to stay: luxury, boutique & value
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A landmark since 1914
Poseidonion Grand Hotel
A five-star belle-époque hotel on the seafront at Dapia, an island landmark since 1914.
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The big pool
Nissia Traditional Residences
A family hotel of traditional residences on the seafront, three minutes from Dapia, with a large pool.
Shopping, markets & jewellers
Getting around
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Few cars in town
Getting around Spetses
Private cars are restricted in town; people get around by scooter, bicycle, water taxi, horse-drawn carriage and a small bus.
Getting there
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About 2–2½ hours from Piraeus
Ferries to Spetses
Fast boats from Piraeus reach Spetses in roughly two to two and a half hours; small boats also cross from Kosta on the Peloponnese.
Share your Spetses experience
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