Spetses

Spetses – Argolic Island

Off the coast of the Porto Cheli region, at the entrance to the Argolic Gulf, lies the approximately 22 km² island of Spetses. Its around 5,000 inhabitants in winter double during the summer months.

Covered mostly by pine forests, the island was known in antiquity as Pityoussa (“Pine Island”) and was famous for its mild climate. Today, Spetses is a popular destination for many Athenians, who own holiday homes and villas here.

Since the early 1970s, Spetses has been a car-free island. Only a limited number of delivery vehicles, mopeds, and a small island bus operate here – the main mode of transport is horse-drawn carriages. The heart of the island is the square above the small harbor basin, where cafés sit on a beautiful pebble-mosaic floor surrounded by historic cannons.

The Spetses island complex also includes the smaller surrounding islands of Spetsopoula, Agios Ioannis, Mikro Bourboulo, and Petrokaravo.

Every year in the second week of September, the “Armata” festival takes place on Spetses. It includes theatrical performances, cultural exhibitions, and musical events. The highlight is the reenactment of the historic naval battle of 1822 between the Spetses fleet and the Ottoman fleet in the Bay of Nafplio. This spectacular performance is now staged in front of the new port of Spetses.

At present, we do not offer accommodation on Spetses. Instead, we recommend holiday homes and apartments on the opposite mainland region of the Argolis.