About the Port
Spetses sits in the Saronic Gulf within easy reach of Athens, its shoreline framed by pine forests and stone mansions built by a once-formidable fleet of merchant sailors. Motor vehicles are largely banned in the old town, so horse-drawn carriages and bicycles remain the preferred way to move along narrow lanes lined with walled gardens and pastel façades. The island's naval heritage is closely tied to Laskarina Bouboulina, a celebrated figure in Greece's fight for independence, and her former residence still draws visitors curious about the era.
The Old Harbor, with its wooden caïques and waterfront cafés, lies within easy walking distance for those arriving by tender, making it simple to explore on foot. Quiet coves and pebbled beaches ring the coastline beyond the town, offering a slower counterpoint to the harbor's activity. Spetses rewards unhurried wandering, rewarding travelers with a genuine sense of island life largely untouched by modern traffic.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Spetses.
Tour the Bouboulina Museum
Step inside the former mansion of the legendary sea captain to see period furnishings, ship models, and artifacts tied to the independence struggle; a short walk or carriage ride from the harbor, visits run about 30-40 minutes.
Ride a Horse-Drawn Carriage
With cars largely absent from the old town, a clip-clop carriage ride along the seafront and past pastel mansions is the classic way to take in Spetses' scenery without the walk.
Swim at Agia Paraskevi Beach
This pine-backed pebble cove a short taxi or boat ride from town offers calmer, less crowded waters than the main harbor, ideal for travelers craving a quiet swim before returning to the ship.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Spetses
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 2026 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 7 | $7,498 | |
| Oct 18, 2026 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 14 | $12,598 | |
| Apr 26, 2027 | Crystal | Crystal Symphony | 8 | $4,640 | |
| Apr 26, 2027 | Crystal | Crystal Symphony | 24 | $14,090 | |
| Jun 8, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $15,260 | |
| Jun 15, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $40,500 | |
| Jun 22, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $17,820 | |
| Jun 29, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $15,260 | |
| Jul 6, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $15,110 | |
| Jul 13, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $16,900 | |
| Jun 9, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $14,900 | |
| Jun 16, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $13,320 | |
| Jun 23, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $13,320 | |
| Jun 30, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $13,320 | |
| Jul 7, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $13,320 | |
| Jul 14, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Ponant | 7 | $13,320 |