Spetses island lies at the most southern part of the Saronic Gulf. It is a very picturesque and elegant island with lovely pine forests, nice beaches, neoclassical mansions, old shipyards, churches, famous for its glorious naval past.
Spetses is a cosmopolitan island, the ideal destination for weekend escapes and summer holidays with an excellent tourist infrastructure, with very good accommodation, places of entertainment, restaurants, facilities for water sports and a wide variety of night life.
The capital, SPETSES, is one of the most genteel and one of the most characteristic of the island towns. Several of its neoclassical houses are still preserved, giving it a very romantic atmosphere, which is further intensified by the ban on motor-cars and the use instead of attractive one-horse carriages.
The historic square of DAPIA is where the sea-captains assembled in 1821, and where the cannon were deployed. Today, it is a gathering place for holiday-makers, pulsating with life, with the outdoor tables of a wide range of coffee-bars and restaurants.
From Dapia to the old harbor is an interesting stroll on foot, or trip in a carriage. The House of Hatzigiannis, one of the nobles of Spetses, houses the museum (tel. + 30 22980 72994). This contains relics of the Greek War of Independence of 1821, some valuable letters and archives, a folklore collection and the bones of Bouboulina, a heroine of the 1821 Uprising.
Other notable buildings in the town include the House of Bouboulina and that of Markos Botsaris, another hero of 1821.
Near the lighthouse is the little church of the Panagia Armatas, built between 1826 and 1830 to commemorate the victory of the people of Spetses over the Turks.
Other interesting sights are the Anargyrios – Korgialeneios School, the Kapodistrias Cultural Club, the Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos and the Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1793 at the highest point of the town.
On the west coast, near Agii Anargyri, is the Cave of Bekiris, in which the freedom fighters of 1821 sought refuge when pursued by the Turks.
BEACHES
All the beaches of the island can be reached by bus or by small boats: Agii Anargyri, Agia Paraskevi, Zogeria, Vrellas and Agia Marina.
The beach of Agia Paraskevi , on the southwestern part of the island, is a lovely cove surrounded by pine trees and lapped by blue-green water.
The beaches of Agios Nikolaos and Kounoupitsa are near the town.
NEARBY ISLANDS
To the south-east of Spetses lies Spetsopoula, a privately-owned island with lush vegetation.
TRADITION – EVENTS
The Anargyria, a festival including plays, lectures, exhibitions, etc., is held in the Anargyrios School every year in August.
In the middle of September, there is a re-enactment of a naval battle of Armata at the church of the Panagia Armatas near the lighthouse in the old harbor. The event includes athletic contests and folk dancing.
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