A tour in Spetses, the “fragrant island” of the Saronic Gulf

In antiquity, the island of Spetses was called “Pityoussa”, which means “covered in pine”. Later on, the Venetians named it “Isola di Spezzie”, which means “fragrant island”, due to its numerous aromatic herbs and flowers. It makes perfect sense…

An overview of Spetses Island…

The journey to Spetses from the port of Piraeus only takes 2 hours by hydrofoil. Both its beauty and its proximity to the mainland make it a perfect destination for every season!

The island’s unparalleled sophistication and elegance fascinate all visitors. The moment they enter the picturesque cobblestone alleys and walk through the beautiful Neoclassical buildings, the florescent house yards and balconies… they are mesmerized!

Spetses is a car-free island, which creates a feeling of calmness and relaxation for the visitor. Bicycles are the ideal means of transportation for a tour around the island, whereas the traditional horse-drawn carriages are preferred by the romantics.

The history of Spetses is long and its past is glorious. The Spetsiot navy played a leading role in the Greek War of Independence in 1821, under the command of Laskarina Bouboulina and Andreas Miaoulis.

The island of Spetses experienced great economic prosperity during the 17th to 19th century, evidence of which one may witness even today: the magnificent captains’ mansions, with their unique architecture, adorn the town of Spetses, adding to its unrivalled cosmopolitan aesthetics and charm.