Cosmopolitan Spetses is close to the Argo-Saronic Gulf near the eastern shore of the Peloponnese. Most of the island is covered with pine trees, and its beaches are beautiful. The port and the town of Spetses are highly interesting architecturally, with neoclassical houses and gravel courtyards.
Spetses was already a major naval and commercial power by the 19th century. When the 1821 Revolution broke out, several Spetses sea captains made their commercial fleets available to the struggle. Among them was the female captain, Lascarina Bouboulina, whose statue is found on the port’s central square, Dapia.
Spetses, known as the “Island of Spices” (Isola di Spezie) by the Venetians, is a favoured destination for royalty and travellers from around the world. Spetses exudes an aristocratic aura at every turn, blending traditional architecture with elegant neoclassical houses.
Cars are forbidden on Spetses. There are only a few local taxis, motorcycles, bicycles and horse-drawn carts.
A beloved, nearby summertime destination for many Athenians.
“Fish a la Spetsiota” is the classic local recipe for oven-baked fish with tomato sauce, beloved across Greece, as are local macaroons, innumerable spoon sweets, and the famous ipovrihio, which are unique to the island.
Photo: travel.eleftheriaonline.gr
