Dapia is the main harbor and the center of everyday life on Spetses. You’ll find cafés, restaurants, shops and plenty of places to sit and watch the boats coming and going, while the surrounding streets are filled with traditional houses, old mansions and colorful flowers.

From here, it’s easy to explore the town on foot. Don’t rush through it just to get to the beach — wandering the little streets and admiring the traditional architecture is part of the Spetses experience.

Wander Around the Old Harbour

The Old Harbour is one of the most atmospheric parts of the island. Traditional wooden shipyards are still operating here, continuing Spetses’ long maritime tradition, while the area around the harbor has restaurants and bars that become particularly lively in the evening.

The nearby lighthouse and pine-covered area make a particularly nice place for an evening walk. There is also an open-air collection of sculptures by Greek artist Natalia Mela, so you can combine the walk with a little art along the way.

Learn About Laskarina Bouboulina

Spetses played an important role in the Greek War of Independence, and one of its most famous historical figures is Laskarina Bouboulina, a wealthy shipowner who used her fortune and fleet to support the revolution.

Her former home is now the Bouboulina House Museum, where you can learn about her life and role in the events of 1821. The island’s other major museum, the Spetses Museum in the mansion of Hadjiyannis Mexis, covers everything from ancient and Byzantine objects to the island’s maritime history and the War of Independence.

Visit the Beaches

Spetses has a good variety of beaches, from easy-to-reach town beaches to quieter coves surrounded by pine trees.
Agia Marina is close to Dapia and is one of the more developed beaches, with sunbeds, restaurants, bars and water sports. Agia Paraskevi is a beautiful, pine-fringed beach with clear water, while Agioi Anargyroi is the island’s longest beach and also offers water sports and places to eat.

If you don’t want to travel far, Agios Mamas is right by the main harbor and is popular with locals. For something quieter, look towards places such as Zogeria or some of the smaller coves around the island, many of which can also be reached by boat.

Go Cycling or Hiking

Spetses is surprisingly good for active travelers. The perimeter road makes cycling around the island possible, while the marked hiking network takes you into the pine-covered interior and towards less developed parts of the island.

You don’t need to be a serious hiker to enjoy it. Even a short walk away from the main town can give you a very different view of Spetses, particularly when the pine forests open up to views of the sea.

Enjoy the Local Nightlife

Spetses isn’t a party island in the same way as Mykonos, but there’s plenty happening after dark. Start with dinner or a drink around Dapia, then head towards the Old Harbour if you want a livelier evening.

The atmosphere is particularly nice in summer, when the waterfront fills up and people stay out late. It’s more about long dinners, drinks and conversation than huge clubs, which suits the island rather well.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Spetses?

Summer is the busiest time to visit, particularly on weekends when Athenians escape the city. July and August are ideal if your priority is swimming, beach time and a lively atmosphere, but accommodation and ferry services can be much busier.

For a quieter experience, consider May, June or September. The weather is usually pleasant for exploring and swimming, while the island feels considerably less crowded than during the height of summer. September is particularly appealing because the sea is still warm after the summer, while the crowds start to thin out.

Easter is another particularly interesting time to visit. Spetses has strong Easter traditions and attracts many visitors during the holiday, so you’ll want to book accommodation and transport well ahead of time if you plan to come then.

September is also worth considering if you want warm sea temperatures without the peak-season atmosphere. The island’s annual Armata festival takes place in September, commemorating the naval battle of Spetses during the Greek War of Independence with a week of cultural events and a dramatic re-enactment.

If you mainly want to swim and enjoy the summer atmosphere, July and August are the obvious choices, but they are also the most expensive and crowded months. For sightseeing, walking and exploring the island without the summer rush, late spring and September are probably the best bet.

Where to Stay in Spetses

Where you stay depends on what kind of holiday you have in mind. Spetses is small, but the different parts of the island have quite different atmospheres, so it’s worth choosing your base before booking a room.

>> book your accommodation in Spetses

Spetses Town and Dapia

For a first visit, Spetses Town is probably the easiest place to stay. Dapia is the main harbor and the center of the island, with restaurants, cafés, shops and the main arrival point for ferries and water taxis. You’ll also be within walking distance of Agios Mamas beach and many of the island’s historic sights.

This is particularly convenient if you’re staying for only a couple of nights or don’t want to spend your holiday worrying about transport. It can be lively in summer, especially in the evening, but that’s part of the appeal.

Old Harbour

If you’d rather stay somewhere with a little more atmosphere, look around the Old Harbour. This is one of the prettiest parts of Spetses, with traditional shipyards, old mansions, the lighthouse and plenty of places to eat and have a drink.

The Old Harbour is a little farther from the main harbor, but Spetses is made for walking and the waterfront route makes getting between the two enjoyable in its own right. It’s a particularly nice choice for couples and anyone who prefers a quieter, more picturesque base.

Agia Marina

If your idea of a holiday is mostly beach, look for accommodation around Agia Marina. The beach is only about 10 minutes from Dapia and has restaurants, bars and water sports, so you can combine easy beach access with the facilities of the town.

It’s a good compromise if you want to be close to the action but would rather wake up near the sea than in the center of town.

Further from Town

There is also accommodation farther around the island, particularly if you want peace and quiet and don’t mind walking, taking a bus or using a sea taxi to get around. This can be a good choice for a longer stay, especially if you plan to spend most of your days exploring the beaches.

For a short first visit, however, I would stay closer to Dapia or the Old Harbour. The island may be small, but not having to arrange transport every time you want dinner or a drink makes a difference.

Is Spetses Worth Visiting?

Absolutely — especially if you’re looking for something a little more relaxed and traditional than the big-name Greek islands.

Spetses combines beautiful beaches with history, good food, walking and cycling, and an atmosphere that feels quite different from the more heavily developed islands. It’s also easy to reach from Athens, making it particularly convenient for a short escape or as part of a trip around the Saronic Gulf.

And if the idea of leaving the car behind, exploring on foot or by bicycle, and spending your evenings around an old harbor sounds appealing, Spetses might be exactly the Greek island you’re looking for.

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