It has been inhabited since the Early Bronze Age (2500-2000 BC), as attested by the remnants of defensive walls, figurines and clay vessels found at Aghia Marina. During the Ottoman period the Spetsiotes built up an important fleet and were protagonists with their neighbours in Hydra in the Greek War of Independence.

The attractive town of Spetses is one of the most elegant and dignified island capitals. It has an ambience of the “good old days”, which is created by the Neoclassical houses and is enhanced by the absence of motor vehicles and the circulation of horse-drawn carriages. The heart of the small town is the historical Dapia Square with the cannon, emplacement that brings to mind the struggles against the Ottoman Turks. Here, around the picturesque harbour, are the old coffees hops, many restaurants, patisseries, shops etc.

To the left of Dapia, in the direction of the old harbour, are numerous Neoclassical houses and the metropolis (Greek Orthodox cathedral) of Aghios Nikolaos. Standing in a lovely setting, the church was once the katholikon of a monastery. There are quaint shipyards beside the old harbour and beyond these is the chapel of the PanAghia tis Armatas. Built on a densely wooded hill with a wonderful view over the whole town, it commemorates the Spetsiotes’ victory in September 1822.

A short distance away is the lighthouse. To the right of Dapia Square is the imposing building of the old Poseidonion Hotel and a monument dedicated to Bouboulina, the most important woman protagonist in the Struggle of 1821. Further on, in the area of Kounoupitsa, are the impressive premises of the Anargyrion-Koryalenion School, founded in 1927. Mansions worth visiting in the town are those of Bouboulina, Botasis and Chatziyannis Mexis. The last now houses a museum of memorabilia of the 1821 War of Independence, archival and folklore material, paintings etc. (tel. (22980) 72.994). At the highest point in the town is the Holy Trinity church, built in 1793.

On the west coast, near Aghioi Anargyroi, is the Bekiris cave in which the 1821 freedom fighters sought refuge. All the island’s beaches can be reached by bus or caique: Aghioi Anargyroi, Aghia Paraskevi, Zogeria, Vrellas, Aghia Marina, Xylokeriza. Spetses has an excellent tourist infrastructure and there are plenty of hotels, pensions, entertainment centres, restaurants etc. There are ample opportunities for sea sports and many night spots.

The annual festival, the “Anargyria”, is held in August. In mid-September there is a reenactment of the naval battle of the Armada, which sets off from the chapel of the PanAghia tis Armatas, near the lighthouse of the old harbour. The events include athletics contests and folk dancing. To the SE of Spetses lies the privately-owned, verdant islet of Spetsopoula.

Spetses is an ideal base for making excursions to Kosta, Porto Cheli, Kranidi, Nafplion and the archaeological sites of the Argolid opposite. In the summer there are theatrical perfomances in the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. There are fuel and water supply facilities for private vessels in the harbour of Spetses.