Saronic
Spetses
Old money charm, horse-drawn carriages, and a quiet harbour that lingers in the memory.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Moderate
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
2h ferry
In pictures
Spetses
Spetses has a distinctive character — an old Athenian bourgeois summer destination with beautiful neoclassical mansions, a ban on most motor vehicles (horse-drawn carriages are still used), and a relaxed social scene. It's close enough to Athens for a weekend but has a more genuine island feel than Aegina. The beaches require boat taxis to reach the best ones.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Small and limited for a full week. Better as a 2–3 night stop than a primary destination.
Hidden gem
Walk or cycle the full perimeter of the island — about 25km, mostly flat, beach stops the whole way.
Where it sits
Saronic, Greece
Spetses — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Spetses? +
- The best months to visit Spetses are May to October. It's busy but manageable in peak season, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Spetses from Athens? +
- Spetses has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which takes about 2 hours. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Spetses good for couples? +
- Spetses is one of the most romantic Greek islands — sunsets, candlelit tavernas, sea-view rooms.
- Is Spetses good for families with kids? +
- Spetses is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Spetses expensive? +
- Spetses is affordable by Greek-island standards — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Spetses? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Spetses. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Spetses? +
- Small and limited for a full week. Better as a 2–3 night stop than a primary destination.