Spetses Island
The island was first inhabited according to archaeological findings in the 3rd millennium BC. and among the findings of the Early Helladic era are others of the Mycenaean times and the first Byzantine centuries.
The original name of the island was “Pityousa”, which means area planted with pine trees. During the Frankish occupation, the Venetians gave the name “Isola di Spezie” to the island, which means the perfume island, as the perfume from the flowers and the pine trees was very nice and strong, changing its name to Spetses.
The island is surrounded by smaller islets Spetsopoula, a private island belonging to the shipping family of S. Niarchos, Small Bourboulo or Petrokaravos and St. Ioannis. While, it is 2.5 nautical miles from the port of Costa in the Peloponnese and 16 nautical miles from Hydra island.
The green island of Spetses is 54 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus, is the last island in the Saronic Gulf and is known historically as it played a leading role in the Independence Struggle of the Greek Nation, raising the flag of the island “Freedom or Death” of 1821. The life and work of the heroine Laskarinas Bouboulinas are intertwined with Spetses, as together with her competitors they fought with heroism and self-sacrifice in the Liberation Struggle. In the naval battle outside the Old Port of Spetses, the Turks were defeated on September 8, 1822, after the burning of the Turkish flagship by the arsonist of Kosmas Barbatsis, every 2nd weekend of September we celebrate this victory with the Armata festival.
Nowadays the historic island of Spetses is an incredible holiday destination, for short and long duration holidays. Although is a small island, amonge the pines and the sea, the asphalt road is 25km long due to the lacy it is accessible 16 beaches, of unique natural beauty, with crystal blue-green waters, some are sandy and others with pebbles, of which the 8 are organized beaches:
- St Mamas: the beach is located in the new port, Dapia, on the right side of the beach on the landscaped pier are umbrellas and sunbeds, while nearby there are cafes and taverns. The entrance of the beach also functions as a starting point for the bus to the beaches of St. Marina, popular as “Paradise beach”, Xylokeriza, St. Anargiri and St. Paraskevi located at the back – south side of the island.
- St Marina – “Paradise beach”, located on the southeast side of the island combines pebbles with sand and has umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bar, restaurant, water sports while a traditional tavern operates along the beach.
- Xylokeriza: the bus leaves you on the ring road, to reach the pebble beach you have to walk 10 ‘downhill, it has umbrellas, sunbeds and a canteen with coffees – soft drinks.
- St Anargiri: is the largest pebble beach in length of the island, has umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bar, tavern and water sports. Also, you could visit the cave of Bekiris, both by land and by sea, of unique natural beauty with stalactites and stalagmites and a small sandy beach.
- St Paraskeivi: it is a pine-covered, sandy beach adorned with the picturesque church, of incomparable natural beauty, has umbrellas, sunbeds and a canteen.
The beaches of St. Anargiri and St. Parakevi are accessible by sea, with traditional boats. The boats depart from the main pier in Dapia, the new port, sail around the island and stop for a few hours on the beaches while returning make the tour of the island and the cruise is completed in Dapia.
- Zogeria: green area with olive trees & pines, sandy beach with umbrellas, sunbeds and the traditional tavern of Lula and the picturesque church of Georgios. The easy access to the beach is made from the sea with the traditional boats that start daily from the main port, Dapia.
From Bouboulina Square, in Dapia, another bus starts that has access to the other organized beaches: Kaiki and Vrellos:
- Kaiki: it is a pebble beach, with umbrellas, sunbeds, restaurant, bar and water sports.
- Vrellos: pebble beach, the pines reach close to the sea, has hammocks, sunbeds umbrellas, bar with nice music and cool cocktails and snacks.
The rest of the unorganized beaches are an ideal choice for nature lovers. You become one with nature and its sounds.