Spetses is an island whose beauty has not been resisted by artists, writers, or sophisticated travelers.
Of all countries, only Greece can boast that it is home to the "most aromatic" island in the world. Here, on Spetses, there are many aromatic herbs that fill the air with incredible scents that mingle with the smell of pine forests and the sea. It's no wonder at all why Spetses inspired John Fowles to write his novel The Magician. In the book, Fowles well deservedly awarded the island generous compliments, calling it "artlessly beautiful" and "enchanting.
All of Spetses is the island's capital and several villages with plenty to see. You should start exploring the island by visiting the town of Spetses. It is famous for its elegant architecture and lack of cars - you can move around it only by bicycle and motorcycle. The most picturesque place in the capital is the area of the harbor Dapia, where there are old mansions and beautiful streets with excellent taverns. In the city it is worth visiting the church of Agios Nikolaos, notable for its marble bell tower, and the church of Panagia Armata. The latter was erected in 1824 after the defeat of the Ottoman fleet in the naval battle of 1822. The Panagia Armata is situated on a hill - here you can admire the panoramas of Spetses during the day and enjoy the sunsets in the evening.
In the capital of Spetses there are two interesting museums. The first one is dedicated to the heroine of the Greek revolution Lascarina Bubulina and is located in her house. The second museum, the city museum, is located in the mansion of Hadzionnis Mexis (politician, philanthropist and participant in the war of liberation). In the museum you can see ancient finds from the island, post-Byzantine and Russian icons, artifacts related to the Greek revolution, as well as trophies brought to Spetses at different times and from different countries by traders and travelers.
One of the natural landmarks that must be reached on Spetses is the Bekiris Cave. It is a favorite site of filmmakers (some Greek films were shot there) and lovers of natural beauty. Access to the cave is possible only by sea, but what you see will impress you for a long time: inside the cave of Bekiris is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The atmosphere here is so mesmerizing and romantic, that the place is often called the "Cave of Lovers". There are several legends connected with the cave and no one knows which one is true. According to the first version, in the cave lived a man named Bekiris, who hid from the Turkish invaders. A seal helped him survive by bringing fresh fish, but the Turks discovered Bekiris and executed him. The second version says that in the XVIII century, the islanders were sheltering in the cave, but a certain Bekiris betrayed them, surrendering to the Turks.
Spetses has a variety of beaches: sandy and pebbly, equipped and wild. One of the best of them is Ayia Paraskevi. It is located in a bay surrounded by a pine forest. The sea at Ayia Paraskevi is always calm and clean, there are snack bars on the beach and the infrastructure of the nearby village is within walking distance.
Ayia Marina is another equipped beach, close to the capital of Spetses. It is the most popular beach of the island, surrounded by cypress and pine trees. The sandy-pebbly beach offers water sports, sun loungers, bar, taverns, and a picturesque chapel nearby. In the season Ayia Marina is crowded because of its proximity to the city. Equally popular is Aya Anargyri. From here you can quickly get to Bekiris Cave. There are taverns, hotels and water entertainment centers nearby. Those who prefer quieter beaches will like Ligoneri (there is a campsite), Zogeria and Xylokeriza, a well equipped but not crowded beach.
If you manage to rest on Spetses in September, you can go to the famous festival "Armata". It is held in honor of the victory over the Turkish fleet and includes exhibitions, performances, concerts, fireworks, and battle reenactments.
By ferry: Ferries to Spetses leave from the port of Piraeus several times a day. During the high season, the frequency increases. You can also take the high-speed catamaran, which makes stops at other islands along the way. Spetses is very well connected not only with Athens but also with Aegina, Idra and Poros.
