SPETSES - 30 minutes drive from Ermioni to Kosta

Archaeological excavations show that the first signs of human habitation on Spetses are from the Early Bronze Age, about 2,500 BC.  During the 15th century, Arvanites inhabited the island, calling the island Pityousa, from the pines (pity) that covered the island.  The population increased during this period with people migrating from the Peloponnesian Peninsula, but they were unable to create permanent dwellings due to frequent pirate raids.  Only at the beginning of the 17th century were the first real towns and villages established on Spetses, developing a strong maritime and trading tradition that is still evident to this day.

Two of Spetses elegant old mansions are still the property of descendants of Laskarina Bouboulina, who was the courageous lady admiral, whose warships vanquished the Ottoman fleet during the Greek War of Independence, she is still one of Greek history's greatest women.  Bouboulina was tragicaly killed on the island of Spetses, following a family dispute, and her bones are kept in the Spetses Museum nearby. Bouboulina's Museum is located just behind the harbour front.  The museum offers daily guided tours of the large pebble-paved courtyard and the mansion interior, with its lavish decorations, wood carved Florentine ceiling in the great hall and a few mementoes of the heroine herself, including a large scale model of her 1821 flagship, the Agamemnon.  Along the waterfront, there is a large bronze statue of Laskarina Bouboulina in Poseidonion Square.

Poseidonion Grand Hotel (pictured above and right) has been a landmark on the Spetses skyline for over a hundred years with its exceptional architecture.  The hotel first opened in 1914 and was the brainchild of Sotirios Anargiros, who was responsible for much of Spetses’ early development. The hotel represented the cosmopolitan face of the island and quickly became a favourite destination for international high society, royalty and wealthy Athenians. The Poseidonion reopened its doors in 2009 following a meticulous five-year restoration, which has brought it up to date, while carefully preserving the original style and architecture of the classic building.  A large bronze statue of Laskarina Bouboulina stands proudly in front of the Poseidonion Grand Hotel in Poseidonion Square, a popular focal landmark of Spetses. 

Spetses Classic Yacht Race takes place at the end of June.  A spectacular weekend of Sailing races, starting and finishing in the narrow straight between Spetses and Kosta.  Over 50 yachts took part in a recent Regatta, with categories for 'Vintage' (built prior to 1949), 'Classic' (built between 1949-1975) and 'Spirit of Tradition' (built after 1975) as well as Aegean schooners and open boats all taking part.

Festival of Armata (Armada) takes place on the second Saturday evening of September, starting at approximately 22:00.  The special event is a reconstruction of the great sea battle against the Ottoman Turkish, Algerian and Egyptian fleets in 1822, that took place just East of the original old harbour of Spetses.  For the build up, there are marching bands, stage music, song and dance in front of the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, followed by a torchlight procession to the Dapia harbour.  The highlight of the evening is the re-enactment of the attack and fire-bombing of the Ottoman Turkish flagship by the local hero, Kosmas Barbatsis (pictured right). As the Ottoman flagship explodes, burns and slowly sinks, there is a grand pyrotechnics firework display for the finale, lighting up the dark starlit sky.  Saturday 9th September 2023.

Spetses Mini Marathon takes place on the second weekend of October.  The main event, which started in 2011, is an international 25kms mini-marathon around the island, later, a 10km race was added to the programme.  Swimming races of 2.5km and 5km as well as a childrens 1000m run and swim race are also part of the 3-day programme of events.  Over 18,000 athletes took part in the 9th annual Spetses Marathon in 2019. The 2022 dates: Friday 7th - Childrens run and swim event.  Saturday 8th - Swimming events to/from Kosta and 10km running event.  Sunday 9th - 5km running event and the 25kms Mini Marathon.

• A 30 minute drive to Kosta, along the scenic coastal route or on the main Kranidi by-pass via Porto Heli.  There are many parking facilities at Kosta, either on the nearby roads or in official, secure, shaded car-parks, which cost approximately 5.00 Euros per day.
• Please note: Only Spetses residents, with valid permits for their cars, and licenced commercial vehicles are allowed to cross over to Spetses by ferry.  Tourist hire-cars are not allowed onto the ferry although motor bikes and bicycles are allowed.
• The distance from Kosta to Spetses (Dapia harbour) is 1.7 nautical miles / 3.1 kms.

• From Kosta there are various boats which depart for Spetses island, some costing as little as 3.00 Euros per person one way.  The quickest way to reach Spetses would be to catch a fast water taxi, direct to the Dapia harbour.  Cost approximately 25 Euros per journey, irrespective of the number of passengers.  Journey time is approximately 6 minutes.

• The other economical way would be the large Katerina Star ferry-boat.  Sailing every day throughout the year.
• From Kosta to Spetses:  06:50 - 08:00 - 10:30 - 13:30 - 17:00 
• From Spetses to Kosta:  06:00 - 07:20 - 10:00 - 13:00 - 16:30
• Cost approximately 3.00 Euros per person, one way.  Pay for ticket on the ferry.  Journey time is approximately 25 minutes.
• The Katerina Star ferry-boat takes Spetses residents vehicles only (no private or rented cars allowed on the island) as well as larger licenced commercial vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles and passengers.
• Be aware that the last Katerina Star ferry-boat sailing from Spetses to Kosta is at 16:30

• There is another way to sail across to Spetses, with the Spetses Express I passenger boat.  
• From Kosta to Spetses:   09:30 - 11:30 - 12:30 - 14:30 - 16:00 - 18:30 - 19:30 - 20:30 - 21:30 
• From Spetses to Kosta:   09:00 - 11:00 - 12:00 - 14:00 - 15:30 - 18:00 - 19:00 - 20:00 - 21:00
• Cost approximately 3 Euros per person, one way.  Pay for ticket on the boat.  Journey time is approximately 12 minutes.
• There are up to 20 daily crossings during the weekends (Friday to Sunday) when the Spetses Express II joins her sister ship, giving a departure every half an hour at certain times of the day. 

BY BUS (including a short sea crossing)

• Catch the bus from Ermioni to Kosta from 09:30, via Kranidi and Porto Heli, Monday to Friday only. The bus stop in Ermioni is opposite Pop's tourist office, next to the kiosk.  Cost approximately 3.50 Euros per person.  From Kosta you have a choice of which boats to catch for the crossing. Check with the bus driver for the return journey times from Kosta to Kranidi/Ermioni.  Last bus from Kranidi to Ermioni is at 13:10.
• Taxi from Kranidi to Ermioni costs approximately 15 Euros.

• Sailings on most days by AERO Highspeed & Flying Cat, from Ermioni to Spetses direct.  Times of departure and return are limited. Check hellenicseaways.gr/en sailing times prior to departure, or Pop's Tourist office in Ermioni, Tel: +30 27540 31514.  Tickets cost 11.50 Euros per person, one way.  Buy ticket(s) from Pop's Tourist office before travel.  The sea crossing from Ermioni to Spetses is approximately 25 minutes. 
  

SEPTEMBER 2023 - Sailing times with Hellenic Seaways:  

• From ERMIONI to SPETSES:
• 12:45 - 18:15 - 21:15  (Monday-Thursday)                                   12:45 - 21:15  (Friday)
• 12:45 - 18:15 - 21:15  (Saturday)                                                  21:15  (Sunday)     

• From SPETSES to ERMIONI:
• 06:10 - 14:05 - 19:35  (Monday-Thursday)                                   06:10 - 14:05  (Friday)
• 06:10 - 14:05 - 19:35  (Saturday)                                                  06:10  (Sunday)

Always check sailing times prior to departure, especially during public holidays, as Hellenic Seaways can change or cancel sailing times without notice. 

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