About Spetses
Known as Isola di Spezie under Venetian rule and Pityoussa (pine-clad) in ancient times, Spetses, at just 54 nautical miles from Athens, is a picturesque, car-free island with a unique architecture, naval history and culture. The island flourished during the early 18th century, developing into a significant naval power, dominating the major shipping routes of the Mediterranean. Today, the two-hundred year old captains’ mansions lining the coast are testimony to the vast wealth and grandeur of that time. The mansion of the Greek War of Independence heroine Laskarina Bouboulina – the only female admiral in world naval history - now houses Bouboulina’s Museum which hosts a Cultural Festival every summer with a plethora of events - while the Spetses State Museum is housed in the mansion of Spetsiot revolutionary leader Hatziyannis Mexis and contains artefacts representing more than 4000 years of history.
Location & Geography
- Spetses is part of the Saronic Islands (Argosaronic Gulf), in Attica, Greece.
- The municipality has an area of about 27.121 km² and is relatively compact.
- The main settlement (town of Spetses) is the principal inhabited area; there are a few smaller villages and hamlets (e.g. Moní Agíon Pánton, Ligonéri, Agioi Anargyroi).
Population & Administration
- As of 2021, the population is about 3,748 people.
- The local government is a unified municipality, with no subdivisions internally.
History & Cultural Significance
- In antiquity, Spetses was known as Pityoussa (meaning
“pine-clad” or “rich in pines”).
- During the Venetian era it was called Isola di Spezie
(“Island of Spices”) — the modern name “Spetses” stems from that.
- The island played an active and important role during the Greek
War of Independence (1821). One of its most famous historical figures
is Laskarina Bouboulina, a female naval commander, whose mansion is
now a museum.
- The Spetses Museum (in the mansion of
Chatzigiannis-Mexis) showcases artifacts spanning over 4,000 years of the
island’s history.
Transport & Access
- There is no airport on Spetses — travel is done by ferry or private boat or taxi boat.
- From Athens (Piraeus port), there are high-speed catamarans/hydrofoils to Spetses (approx. 2 hours)
- From Porto Heli, the ferry ride is short (about 15 minutes)
Transportation on the Island
- Spetses is essentially a car-free island in its main town / central area. Private automobiles are not allowed.
- Modes of local transport: walking, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and limited use of taxis / small delivery vehicles in parts of the town.
- There are also footpaths/trails around the island (about 25–30 km total)
Beaches & Natural Features
- Beaches close to the town include Agios Mamas; a bit outside are Kaiki (College) and Agia Marina.
- More distant beaches and bays (accessible by footpaths or local buses) include Zogeria, Agioi Anargyroi, and Agia Paraskevi.
Events / Festivals / Activities
- The Spetses Mini Marathon is a notable annual sports event (running + swimming) held over multiple days, attracting many participants.
- The “Armata” festival is another highlight — a naval celebration commemorating a 1822 Ottoman naval attack and its defense, with fireworks, boat spectacle, and festivities.
Notable Buildings / Landmarks
- Poseidonion Grand Hotel: built in 1914, iconic neoclassical hotel on Spetses, historically significant.
- Bouboulina’s House / Museum: the home of Laskarina Bouboulina now serves as a museum dedicated to her life and the island’s role in the independence struggle.
- Chatzigiannis-Mexis Mansion: houses the Spetses State Museum with exhibits spanning millennia.
- Lighthouse of Spetses: an old lighthouse reconstructed in 1885, rising ~27 m above sea level.
Organizing Secretariat