Imagine that you are on the island of Laskarina Bouboulina, the heroine of the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Everywhere you look, you can feel the spirit of the revolution and the glorious maritime past of Spetses Island. This island was once the second-largest shipbuilding center in Greece, and its brave captains and sailors, led by the fearless Bouboulina, played a crucial role in freeing Greece from Turkish rule. The highlight of their heroic deeds was the burning of the Turkish flagship in the naval battle of Spetses, which marked a decisive victory for the Greek fleet. Every year, this event is commemorated with a spectacular reenactment at the Armata Festival.
Spetses Island has another unique and charming feature: its fragrance. The island is also called The Island of Aromas because it is filled with scented plants that grow all over the island. The island is part of the Argolic ecosystem and is close to its mainland. Despite the occasional fires, the island remains very green. Its distinctive trait is its pine forests, which touch the sea.
You can explore the island by using traditional carriages, bicycles, taxis, and motorbikes – these are the only modes of transportation allowed. No cars are permitted. The island’s beauty is enhanced by the traditional mansions, the turquoise beaches, and the plentiful and varied choices for food and drink.
The Museum of Bouboulina was established in 1991 by Filippos Demertzis-Bouboulis, a descendant of Laskarina Bouboulina in the 5th generation. The museum occupies the ancient mansion of the 1821 heroine, which is over three centuries old. The first floor has four spacious rooms: the Great Hall, the Reception Room, the Dining Room and the Room with Fireplace.
The Hatzigianni Mexi Mansion
At this museum, you will discover the story of the legendary Captain and see collections of weapons, old books, porcelain, documents, and letters of the heroine as well as her personal items, maps, embroidery, busts, Byzantine icons, furniture, and objects from the 17th to 20th century. You will also admire a beautiful Florentine-carved ceiling. The guided tour takes about 40 minutes.
Cave of Bekiris.
This cave is also called Erotospilia and it is a wonderful place for marine exploration and natural beauty. It also has historical significance as it was used as a shelter in times of attacks on the island. The journey to the depths of Bekiris’ cave is an amazing experience. You can reach the cave by land or sea. From the land, there is a path that begins with concrete steps from the new pier on the north side of the beach. The entrance to the cave is narrow. Inside, you will find impressive stalagmites and a small sandy beach. If you love adventure, you should not miss this ride. A famous scene from a classic Greek movie was shot there.
The cosmic Dapia
This is the main port of the island and the most lively spot in Spetses with a nice promenade that is “active” all day long. The atmosphere in Dapia is created by the neoclassical mansions and the pebbled streets, and around the square you can find many shops, the harbor where the “dolphins” dock, and museums.
Horse-drawn carriage ride.
This activity is one of the most wonderful and enjoyable things you can do. There are many routes to choose from and many carriages (28 in total)!
Old Port of Spetses.
This is the most scenic route on the island. If you start from Dapia, it is about 2 km long (25 minutes walk), and you will be amazed by the view. It is one of the most romantic and charming spots in the whole Argosaronic Gulf. This part of Spetses reminds you of the golden age of Spetses in the 19th century, when the sailing ships of Spetses sailed across the Aegean and the Mediterranean, reaching as far as the Black Sea and the Atlantic.
Another good idea is to come here by carriage (from the main port) instead of walking from Dapia. Along the sea, you will see churches (the most important one is Agios Mamas), mansions with tiled roofs, café bars, fish taverns, taverns, and luxury restaurants, as well as old shipyards and fishermen’s boats. Nearby is the neighborhood of Pityusa… the Kolonaki of Spetses. Flower-decorated alleys away from the tourist crowds – this is what this district offers.
Spetses Island: Diving in its beautiful beaches
Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Spetses. The beaches of Spetses are one of the island’s best attractions. Here are some of the ones you can visit:
Agios Mamas Beach: It is the city beach. It is very close to the port, and it has a long sandy beach with sand and pebbles. It is easy to reach.
Agios Nikolaos Beach: A nice option is the small beach of Agios Nikolaos, on the way to the old port, with sand and fine pebbles.It is also easy to reach and perfect for quiet dives.
Agia Marina Beach: In ten minutes from Dapia, after the old port, you will find the beach of Agia Marina. This is a cosmopolitan beach that offers water sports and many options for food and drink.
Agioi Anargyroi Beach in Spetses
Agioi Anargyroi Beach: it is one of the most beautiful on the island.
Kounoupitsa Beach: A great option west of the port is the beach of Kounoupitsa with narrow sand with pebbles, sand, and clear blue waters. Kounoupitsa is also a great spot for walks and food in nearby restaurants and taverns.
Agia Paraskevi Beach: Don’t miss the chance to dive in the famous Agia Paraskevi, the beach where the pine trees… reach the sea!
Spetses Island: Taverns and tastes
I love how it tastes on my nose. The only place to go on the island is Politis Patisserie. Their Spetses almond treats are heavenly, and so are all the other sweets you can eat here or take away.
Don’t miss: classic chocolate, strawberry pies, profiterole, royal, and more. Pahni in the Kokkinaria area (above the old port) is a traditional restaurant with simple and tasty food. It has a nice garden, big servings at low prices, and fresh, quality ingredients.
For seafood lovers, Patralis’ terrace is the place to be – you will savor dishes with seafood as the main attraction.
Tarsanas is a famous seafood tavern with a lovely view of the charming Old Port. The dishes are genuine and the fish is top quality. The owners have their own fishing boat that brings fresh fish every day. You will enjoy creative ouzo snacks, grilled fish of the day, seafood pasta, homemade taramosalata (with white roe), and of course Spetsiota-style fish. The wine list is also impressive. For beach bars, one of the most popular is Kaiki, a hot spot for 30 years. It is only 12 minutes from Dapia, and it faces the Anargyreios and Korgialenios School of Spetses.
To sum up;
Don’t think of Spetses as a quick fix. It won’t let you go anyway. Elegant and generous to the visitor, this island is a place that will reward you fully whether you spend here a weekend or a whole week.
Spetses Island is famous for its rich maritime history, particularly its role in the Greek War of Independence in 1821 led by the legendary Laskarina Bouboulina. It was once the second-largest shipbuilding center in Greece and is known as 'The Island of Aromas' due to its fragrant plants and pine forests. The island is also renowned for its stunning beaches, traditional neoclassical mansions, and the annual Armata Festival that commemorates the naval victory.
Laskarina Bouboulina was a legendary Greek heroine and fearless captain who led naval forces during the Greek War of Independence in 1821. She played a crucial role in the liberation of Greece from Turkish rule, and her most notable achievement was the burning of the Turkish flagship during the naval battle of Spetses. Her legacy is preserved in the Museum of Bouboulina, located in her ancestral mansion on the island.
The main attractions on Spetses Island include the Museum of Bouboulina, the Cave of Bekiris (also called Erotospilia), Dapia port with its neoclassical architecture, the Old Port of Spetses, and the scenic beaches. Visitors can also enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, explore traditional mansions, and experience the island's natural beauty including its distinctive pine forests that reach the sea.
No, cars are not permitted on Spetses Island. The only modes of transportation allowed are traditional horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, taxis, and motorbikes. This restriction helps preserve the island's traditional character and natural beauty while providing visitors with a unique travel experience.
The Museum of Bouboulina was established in 1991 in the ancestral mansion of Laskarina Bouboulina, a three-century-old building. Visitors can view collections of weapons, old books, porcelain, documents, personal items, maps, embroidery, Byzantine icons, and furniture from the 17th to 20th century. The museum features four spacious rooms on the first floor and a beautiful Florentine-carved ceiling. Guided tours take approximately 40 minutes.
The Cave of Bekiris, also known as Erotospilia, is a spectacular cave with historical significance as it served as a shelter during attacks on the island. The cave features impressive stalagmites and a small sandy beach. Visitors can access it by land via concrete steps from the north side beach or by sea. It has also been featured in classic Greek cinema and offers an amazing adventure for exploration enthusiasts.
Dapia is the main port of Spetses Island and the most lively spot on the island. It features a scenic promenade that is active throughout the day, surrounded by neoclassical mansions and pebbled streets. Around the square, visitors can find shops, harbors where ferry dolphins dock, and several museums, making it the cultural and commercial heart of the island.
The Armata Festival is celebrated annually on Spetses Island to commemorate the naval victory of the Greek fleet during the War of Independence, specifically the burning of the Turkish flagship in the naval battle of Spetses. The festival features a spectacular reenactment of this historic event and celebrates the island's maritime heritage and the heroic deeds of its revolutionary captains and sailors.
Spetses is called 'The Island of Aromas' because it is filled with scented plants and fragrant vegetation that grow throughout the island. The island's distinctive characteristic is its extensive pine forests that touch the sea. Despite occasional fires, the island remains very green and maintains its unique aromatic landscape as part of the Argolic ecosystem.
