Pretty Greek Villas
Spetses, Saronic Gulf Islands
Information for Greek villas and self catering villa holidays in Greece

To view a list of our villas on Spetses, please click here.

The island of Spetses is part of the Saronic Island group lying to the south of Athens and very close to the Peloponnese mainland. Full of aristochratic charm, Spetses offers a wealth of wonderful properties to choose from. Pretty Greek Villas has chosen some of the finest villas on Spetses offering a standard of luxury in some of the best locations on the island.

Spetses with its pine-cloaked hills, secluded covers and splendid harbour lined with neo-classical building combines an idyllic retreat with sophisticated nightlife. Spetses is a perfect place for exploring the other very diverse islands of the Saronic group and the Peloponnese mainland.

You may just want to relax in beautiful surroundings whilst on holiday in your Greek villa. However, Spetses offers a variety of delights to explore.

How to Get There

The nearest airport is Athens International Airport. From there, you can take a taxi or the E96 Airport bus to the Port of Pireaus. The airport bus leaves every 15 mins from the airport bus stand directly outside the Arrivals Hall. From Pireaus, you take a Flying Dolphin or Catamaran to the island of Spetses (approx 1 1/2 hours). The last connections are usually quite early in the evening.

The second way to the island of Spetses from Athens Airport is to take a taxi to the Peloponnese port of Kostas (2 hours) and from there to take a water taxi to Spetses (10 mins). Alternatively, there are ferry connections from the Peloponnese port of Portocheli onto Spetses (20 mins). Water taxis operate on a 24 hour basis from Kostas during the main season and can be booked in advance.

Pretty Good Beaches

Spetses has many small, sandy coves to discover and the best way to explore is by hiring one of the small motorboats in the harbour.

Town Beach
This sandy beach gets crowded in the summer but is handy if you don't want to wander too far.

Agia Paraskevi Beach
A taxi boat leaves the main harbour every hour for this lovely beach located 12 kms from the main harbour of Spetses.

Scholes Beach
This is a nice beach but gets crowded in the summer. It is about 2 kms from the main harbour of Spetses and is a pleasant walk. Alternatively, you can take one of the horse-drawn carriages.

Xilokerisa Beach
Taxi boats leave the main harbour for this quiet beach situated about 8 kms distance.

Agia Marina Beach
Situated 2 kms from the main harbour of Spetses, this beach is fun if watersports are your thing.

Pretty Good Day Trips

Exploring Local Coves
One of the great pleasures of Spetses is to hire a small motorboat for a day and explore the many sandy coves and rocky inlets of the island. You will find many quiet places to relax with no-one around.
Boat Hire from Kostas in the main harbour.
Tel: 6944 548183

Experience a cruise with a crewed traditional wooden caique boat
In the main harbour of Spetses, you will find various boat trips on offer either for whole day cruises or part day cruises around local bays.
Captain Kokonezis
Tel: 22980 52300

Hydra by Flying Cat
Visit this wonderful neighbouring island with its impressive horse-shoe shaped marble harbour and chic shops, restaurants and tavernas. The interior of the island is still very traditional with white washed houses, crooked stone paths and pretty hillsides. Click here for more information on Hydra.
www.dolphins.gr

Aegina by Flying Cat
Aegina is one of the few islands that still encapsulates all that Greeks love about their own country. Simple tavernas shaded by vines serving excellent fish, colourful markets, great coffee shops and long pistachio groves reaching down to the sea. Click here for more information on Aegina
www.dolphins.gr

Angistri by boat
This smaller, undiscovered neighbouring island to Aegina is a little gem with pretty coves and fragrant pine forests. From Spetes, you need to take a Flying Cat to Aegina and from there a short ferry ride to Angistri.
www.dolphins.gr

Peloponnese mainland
There are regular ferries, catamarans and water taxis that can take you the short 20 mins distance to Kostas or Portoheli on the Peloponnese mainland. In high season, there is a ferry service to Ancient Epidavros each evening for the summer arts festival held at the ancient amphitheatre. The Peloponnese is where most of the major archaelogical sites are located and the beautiful Venetian town of Nafplion can be explored.

Pretty Cultural

Spetses has had a colourful history and its aristocratic heritage is very much in evidence today. Spetsiots have been master sailors, successful merchants and in the Napoleonic Wars, skilled blockade runners, earning huge fortunes that were poured into building lavish boats and mansions. During the 1821 War of Independence, the Spetsiots gave their best ships and bravest people to the cause which is still remembered with pride today.

Bouboulina Museum
Laskarina Bouboulina was the bravest of all the revolutionaries from Spetses and a female to boot! This museum is dedicated to her life.

Hadjiyiannis-Mexis Museum
Housed in a fine 18th century 'archontiko' Venetian style mansion, this museum contains articles highlighting Spetses splendid history.

Pretty Greek Festivals

Throughout Greece, every island and place has its share of festivals. A religious ceremony is held in the local church followed by eating, drinking, dancing and fireworks until dawn. Spetses has two really unique festivals.

Feast of the Virgin Mary, 15th August
Celebrated all over Greece, this ceremony is in honour of the Virgin Mary.

Amata Festival, around beginning of September each year
The largest festival on Spetses lasting for around one week. This is an annual celebration of the historical naval battle of Spetses during the War of Independence. A model ship is built and burnt on the sea amid a massive firework display culminating in a week long arts festival.

Feast of Agios Mammas, 1st September
At this festival, children make little paper boats which they sail out to sea from the water's edge at the foot of the church of Agios Mammas.

Pretty Sporty

Motorboat Hire
The best way to explore the island is by hiring one of the small motorboats in the harbour. They are very easy to manoeuvre and can accommodate up to 4 people.
Boat Hire from Kostas in the main harbour. Tel: 6944 548183

Pretty Delicious! Food and Drink

Spetses has some excellent restuarants, tavernas, cafes and bars. There are plenty of traditional haunts as well as those catering to a more sophisticated taste.

Tavernas

Lazaros
Good home cooking at a traditional taverna. Try their pastitio (meat and macaroni pie), giouvetsi (pieces of tender beef with rice pasta), moussaka (aubergine and minced lamb with bechamel sauce) and spetsofai (tender pieces of pork with piccante peppers).

Sioras
Excellent fish restaurant located in the harbour area.

Apanemo Pizzeria
Excellent home-made pizzas located in the old harbour

Kapello Yiannis
Delicious mezedes (traditional small dishes to go with ouzo or wine) at this 'Ouzeri' in the harbour.

Agia Anaryiri
Located at the beach of Agia Paraskevi, this taverna is thoroughly recommended.
also offers some appetising local dishes.

Bars & Cafes

Throumbi
Located in the old harbour area, this bar is particularly recommended

Mourayo Restaurant & Music Bar
Located in the old harbour, this is the oldest on Spetses
Tel: 22980 73700
mourayo@hol.gr

Pretty Greek Shops

(section under construction but there are many lovely shops near the port)

Transport

Boat Hire from Kostas in the main harbour.
Tel: 6944 548183

Boat Hire from Christos Lambracos.
Tel: 22980 73400

Moped Hire and Push Bike Hire from Ilias Rent A Bike.
Located on the Agia Marina road near Analypsi Square.
Tel: 6973 886407
tziamos@mail.gr

Health

Pharmacy.
Located in the main harbour.
Tel: 22980 72858.

Emergency Numbers

Police of Spetses.
Tel: 22980 73744

Port Police:
Tel: 22980 72245

To view Pretty Greek Villas selection of Fabulous self catering holiday villa in Spetses, please click HERE

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Pretty Greek Villas Spetses, Saronic Gulf Islands Information for Greek villas and self catering villa holidays in Greece