Planning a Trip

Getting There

Daily hydrofoil and ferry service to Spetses and other Saronic Gulf islands is offered by Hellenic Seaways (tel. 210/419-9200; www.hellenicseaways.gr). Saronikos Ferries (tel. 210/417-1190) takes passengers and cars to Aegina, Poros, and Spetses; cars are not allowed to disembark on Hydra. Euroseas (tel. 210/411-3108) has speedy catamaran service from Piraeus to Poros, Hydra, and Spetses. For information on schedules for most Argo-Saronic ferries, you can try one of the various numbers of the Piraeus Port Authority: tel. 210/412-4585, 210/422-6000, or 210/410-1480, but phones are not always answered. On Spetses, try tel. 22980/72-245.

Visitor Information

The island's travel agencies include Alasia Travel (tel. 22980/74-098) and Spetses & Takis Travel (tel. 22980/72-215). Andrew Thatomas's Spetses (Lycabettus Press), usually on sale on the island, is the book to get if you want to pursue Spetses's history. You can also check out www.greeka.com/saronic/spetses and the very helpful www.spetsesdirect.com.

Getting Around

The island's limited public transportation consists of several municipal buses and a handful of taxis. Mopeds can be rented everywhere, beginning at 15€ ($20); be sure to check the brakes and get a helmet. Bikes are also widely available, and the terrain along the road around the island makes them a good means of transportation; three-speed bikes cost about 10€ ($13) per day, while newer 21-speed models go for about 15€ ($20). Horse-drawn carriages can take you from the busy port into the quieter back streets, where most of the island's handsome old mansions are located. Take your time choosing a driver; some are friendly and informative, others are surly. Fares are highly negotiable.

The best way to get to the various beaches around the island is by water taxi. Locals call it a venzina (gasoline); each little boat holds about 8 to 10 people. Here, too, fares are negotiable. A tour around the island costs about 40€ ($52). Schedules are posted on the pier. You can also hire a water taxi to take you anywhere on the island, to another island, or to the mainland. Again, prices are highly negotiable.

Fast Facts

The National Bank of Greece is one of several banks on the harbor with an ATM. Most travel agencies (9am-8pm) will also exchange money, usually at less favorable rates than banks. The local health clinic (tel. 22980/72-201) is inland from the east side of the port. The police (tel. 22980/73-100) and tourist police (tel. 22980/73-744) are to the left off the Dapia pier, where the hydrofoils dock, on Boattassi. The port authority (tel. 22980/72-245) is on the harborfront. The post office is on Boattassi near the police station; it's open from 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday. The telephone office (OTE), open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3pm, is to the right off the Dapia pier, behind Hotel Soleil. Internet access is available at Delphina Net-Café on the harborfront.