CityUsable guide

Spetses

Municipality in Greece

Photo: Jean Housen, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

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.

Where to eat, drink and stay

Eat3 places

Patralis
Patralis lives up to its reputation as one of the best fish tavernas in Greece. Can be crowded in the evenings and weekends.
Hours
lunch and dinner
Address
Kounoupitsa
Directions
on the water a 10-minute walk west of the main Dapia harbour, near the Hotel Spetses
Phone
+30 22980 74441
Lazaros
A very old fashioned simple, and traditional taverna with good barrel wine. Specialty is goat fricasee.
Address
Kastelli
Directions
a few hundred metres inland from the main Dapia harbour, inquire locally
Phone
+30 22980 72600, +30 6974 663302 (Mobile)
Balcony Wine Bar
serves light meals and a limited selection of really excellent Greek wines at prices that are rather high for Greece but would be a bargain in London or California. If in doubt, try one of their Santorini white wines. Pleasant balcony overlooking the water.
Address
Spetses Town,
Directions
just east of the main Dapia harbour on the sea road, though the entrance is from the parallel shopping lane one street inland

Sleep3 places

Splurge

Armata Boutique Hotel
Boutique hotel of authentic Spetsiot architecture with pool at the centre of the island.
Phone
+30 22980 72683
Website
armatahotel.gr
Economou Mansion
Restored traditional mansion.
Directions
a 10-minute walk from the town centre
Phone
+30 22980-73400
Website
spetsesyc.gr
Orloff Resort
Hotel with pool at the Old Port. Rooms, studios, and a house.
Phone
+30 22980 75444-5
Website
orloffresort.com

Getting there and around

Getting there

Overland
Due to its proximity to the mainland, many choose to travel to Spetses overland, parking their cars (€5 per day) at Kosta on the Peloponnese and then crossing over either on board the Katerina Star…

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Getting around

With private cars banned from the island, local transportation is very expensive (although most attractions are within reasonable walking distance).

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Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

Spata-Artemida · International · ATH

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Read before you go to Spetses

Articles and travel topics about Spetses and Greece.

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandSpetses 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.

Get inThe preferred method of travel from Athens to Spetses is by sea from the port of Piraeus.

Get aroundWith private cars banned from the island, local transportation is very expensive (although most attractions are within reasonable walking distance).

ConnectSeveral of Spetses innumerable cafes offer internet service for a fee, but exactly which ones seems to keep changing. Look for signs saying Internet, or ask at your hotel if they can direct you to one.

SeeSpetses has two museums. The Hadjiyannis Mexis Museum is southwest of the town, a five-minute walk from the harbour.

DoThe celebrations of the Panaghia Armata are the highlight of the summer season on Spetses, attracting as many as 40,000 visitors, and culminating in the re-enactment of an 1822 naval battle between the Greek forces and…

BuyThe local specialty of Spetses (as also of many other Greek islands) are Amygdalota, little almond cakes, sprinkled with icing sugar.

EatRestaurants 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.

DrinkMany 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.

SleepAlmost 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.

ConnectAs of Aug 2022, Spetses town has 4G from Cosmote and Vodafone but nothing from Wind, and the rest of the island has no signal. 5G has not reached this area.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Spetses" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Spetses", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Jean Housen, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Spetses" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Spetses", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: Jean Housen, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage