The island of Spetses is very close to Athens. This is a very special island where Greek wealthy families mostly have summer houses, cruise ships are not accepted, and European jet-set is on holiday with boats. My answer to those who ask, “hich Greek island do you like the most?”, my answer will be “efinitely this island.”
I couldn’t wait to come to Spetses again this summer, where I came for the first time last year. The pine-covered bays where lavender and jasmine scents hit your nose are full of churches and monasteries, neoclassical villas… Especially the 100-year-old Poseidonion Grand Hotel and Spetses is the most elegant Greek island waiting for you in all its splendor as you approach from Dapia Harbor.
Behind the port of Dapia, there are elegant boutiques, art galleries, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants on the mosaic stone-lined streets of the city center and the square with its clock tower. You will also find the most beautiful fishing taverns of the island when you walk from the center to the old harbor Palio.
There’s no private car in Spetses. You can rent a bike or water taxi around the 25 km of the island. You may need to take your straw chair with you when you go to the beaches. Organized beach is not necessarily a problem. Islanders’ favorite ‘Zogeria’. This is the most beautiful address of the sunsets… Pareskevi, Xylokeriza and Kaiki are the other beaches you should visit.
I would recommend fishing taverns at Tarsanas and Mourayo Palio Port. In the central square, “Gyronostimies” makes the best souvlaki and Bluefield makes the best burger. At the Posedonion Hotel On The Verandah restaurant, chef Stamatis Marmarinos’s modern Athenian in Spetses ’salad prepared with modern Greek cuisine and‘ Red Hot Chili Saganaki shrimp fry with coriander sauce should be tried. Freddo capuccino is at Porto Cafe.
The Bouboulina Museum is actually the home where the family of the same name has lived for generations. In 1991, it was turned into a museum to save the wooden ceiling brought from Florence, especially during its collapse. It is also the home of the world’s first female revolutionary admiral Laskarina Bouboulina. I heard his story from Pavlos Demertsiz-Bouboulis, director of the Museum’s sixth generation member of the Family.
Laskarina Bouboulina was born in 1771 in the Sultanahmet Prison, which was converted into a Four Season hotel today. Spetses and the neighboring town of Hydra were the richest and most populous islands, while Athens was only a small village under the Acropolis without the capital of Athens.
Shipyard first began on these islands. Inspired by their wives, both captains of the sea, Laskarina was a widow at the end of the sea and maritime interest. He built Agememnon, the largest battleship ever built. In the museum, the most remarkable ones were the fine embroidered dowry chest and the portraits of both modern European women and Greek peasant women. There’s a sad way of death that doesn’t suit that. The tragic way of life ended when the girl’s family kidnapped her son. Today he is alive with his statue in Spetses Square.
There are amazing boutiques in Spetses. I would say there is no such shopping in Athens. Keep in mind Rem’s unorthodox models and trashy dresses, Le Closet’s gorgeous patterned cotton tunics and White’s boho-rock designs that I haven’t left without trying for two years. Before returning, pick up the island-specific “amygdalota” cookies, flavored with rose water. You can find the best in Klimis patisserie.
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