Holy Spirit Monday 2024: long weekend in Spetses

The Holy Spirit long weekend is just around the corner (no rush!) and it’s an ideal opportunity to plan an early-summer getaway from Athens if you are in Greece. The island of Spetses is stunning, picturesque and just 2 hours away from Athens!

Nature has been generous with this island of the Saronic Gulf; no wonder that, back in the day, the Venetians used to call it “the island of perfumes”. The island of Spetses is well-known for its mansions, maritime tradition and architecture, as well as its fine seafood that attracts foodies and cats alike!

The unique architecture of the mansions in Spetses

What to do in Spetses on Holy-Spirit long weekend

There’s a lot to do in Spetses, but mostly walking, strolling and hiking, as cars are not allowed on the island.

Here are a few suggestions for your first summer trip to Spetses:

• Follow the road that leads from the area of Dapia to the old harbor, and admire the captains’ mansions.
• Visit the historical house of Laskarina Bouboulina, a Greek naval commander and heroine of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, and the Spetses Museum.
• Swim in Kaiki, at Vrellos beach or the remote coves in Ligoneri.
• Rent diving equipment and discover the secrets of the island’s seabed.
• Take a night stroll by the lighthouse and the quay.
• Check out the impressive Poseidonion Hotel, a true architectural marvel.
• Hike on the island’s many trails. Our suggestion is to hike to the Observatory of Spetses and from there to the Church of Prophet Elias. Both locations offer otherworldly panoramic viewpoints.
• Snorkel in the cave of Bekiris at Agioi Anargyroi beach.
• Watch a movie at the island’s open-air cinemas and enjoy the intoxicating smell of jasmine (and popcorn, of course!).
• Try some local dishes at the restaurants located in the port’s beautiful square or go for some classic comfort food at the Clock Square (Plateia Rologiou).

Go to the beach

Sandy and pebbly beaches, turquoise waters and pine trees embracing the coasts are only some of Spetses' many beautiful landscapes. You can get to some beaches on foot, while others are easier to reach by bike, motorcycle or sea taxi.

If you are looking for beaches close to the port, you can opt for Agios Mammas, Agios Nikolaos or Kaiki beach.

As for more remote beaches, we certainly recommend Agia Paraskevi, Zogeria (where The Lost Daughter was filmed), Vrellos, and Ligoneri.

Tip: if you feel confident with a bike, then pedal to your favorite beach. Otherwise, you can rent a motorcycle to get around the island.

The verdant beach of Agia Paraskevi

Try some Spetses delicacies

With all the walking, you will get hungry, no doubt. And we can’t let you starve.

Here are some of the most delicious food suggestions in Spetses:

• Get some mouthwatering waffles at Roussos or Dapia Café.
• Visit the Patralis tavern terrace for some special Spetses fish dishes and local recipes.
• Have some tsipouro and meze at the Akrogialia fish restaurant in Kounoupitsa.
• Taste white tarama and fish delicacies by the sea at the Tarsanas seafood tavern (at the old harbor).
• A classic hotspot for drinks is the bar Votsalo, situated close to Dapia.

Tip: don’t leave Spetses before you try traditional marzipans (amygdalota) by Klimis Pastries.

Early-morning view of the Saronic Gulf

The best way to reach Spetses is to catch a high-speed ferry, as the Athens (Piraeus) - Spetses ferry route is very short. During the Holy Spirit long weekend, there are up to 7 daily crossings from the port of Piraeus to Spetses.

Discover all available crossings, check prices and companies, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper in no time! Keep in mind that tickets to the Saronic islands sell out fast, so it’s best to book in advance.

Pro tip: if you wish to plan some exciting island hopping across the Saronic Gulf, head to our interactive Map of ferries, visualize your itinerary and combine multiple islands in one booking!