Spetses, the Diamond of the Saronic Gulf has a rich history and an air of grandeur from days gone by. Explore the old harbour and the islands many beaches at your leisure on this four day tour from Athens.
Known as the Saronic Gulf's Diamond, Spetses is located at the entrance of the Saronic Gulf very near the mainland of Peloponese.
The island was used as the setting for novelist John Fowles' book 'The Magus' in 1965, mainly due to the islands heat and the seductive scent of the pine trees.
Spetses retains much of the grandeur and old-world elegance of its heyday as an important shipbuilding and maritime trading centre. The main town is peppered with imposing 200 year old mansions with pebble mosaic courtyards. These were mainly built by wealthy sea captains and successful merchants many of whom made their fortunes by running the British blockade during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Spetses museum is a must see, and houses the mansion of Spetses' famous heroine, the 19th century seagoing Amazon Lascarina Bouboulina. The Old Harbour is also an engaging place to wander and admire the many fishing boats and yachts.
Spetses' coastline is speckled with numerous coves with small, pine shaded beaches to relax and soak up the rays.
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