General Information

Island of Spetses, Greece

The island of Spetsai (part of the Greek Argo Saronic islands) is a small and tranquil island that lies at the entrance to the Argolic Gulf, 2 km from mainland Greece. It is the most southern of all the Saronic Islands which is 22km sq in area. Spetses' idyllic and unique landscape is bountiful with hidden coves, clear seas and long beaches. But it is most famous for the distinctive pine trees that cover the island (Roughly two thirds of the island belong to the Anargyrios Trust). The name Spetses is even derived from the Venetian "Isola de Spezzie" meaning "Fragrant Island". Other natural vegetation is plentiful across the island with olives, almonds, figs, pistachios, myrtle, oleander, the Chaste tree, and the evergreen Carob. The island is composed of nummulitic limestone, developed from the sea ten million years ago, the limestone subsequently being eroded to form a series of caves, mainly located on the south side of the island.

Spetses climate and weather conditions are typically Mediterranean, with temperatures usually reaching highs of 26° C. Famous beaches include Agios Mamas, Agioi Anargiroi and Agia Paraskevi, Zogeria, College beach and Agia Marina. The beaches on Spetses are as diverse as the vegetation, ranging from large pebbles at Scholes on the northern side of the island, to the golden sands of Ag. Paraskevi on the south coast.

Spetses Town is the main settlement on the island which is situated on the northeast coast, It is one of the only two provinces in Greece that has fewer than five settlements and two municipalities. The town is built around the two harbours; Paleo Limani (Old Harbour) and Dapia (New Harbour). The stunning scenery, friendly atmosphere and excellent travel links to mainland Greece, make Spetses a popular retreat for Greeks and foreign tourists alike.

Many famous figures have originated from Spetses, including Alexandros Diomidis (former prime minister of Greece), Stratigis (poet) and Eleni Altamoura (artist). Spetses was the basis for the fictional island Phraxos in John Fowles' 1965 novel The Magus.

Heath and Safety - your survival kit

It is your responsibility to check your health insurance needs and whether you need any
vaccination certificates. There will be a doctor on the island to help you with minor ailments. It would be advisable to bring something to treat possible stomach upsets because of the change of diet. Also bring sun cream of an appropriate protection factor to protect yourself from sun-burn.

It is worth noting that September 2007 was extremely hot in Greece with several forest fires. As a result, the air was contaminated with dust and pine oil traces, which can cause problems for asthma sufferers. Although this may not happen again this year, please bear it in mind if you are prone to allergic reactions and/or asthma.

The coastal waters are home to a range of wildlife. Of particular note are the numerous sea urchins, which are extremely painful to step on! For this reason, you are advised to bring along plastic beach shoes.

What to wear when I am there?

You should not worry about formal clothing. Instead, you should bring casual clothing that is suited to warm, possibly hot, weather. It is also beneficial to check the weather forecast one week before the course starts. In case the evenings are cool, a sweater is all that you should need, as long as you do not engage in watersports, in which case you may need special clothing. Don't forget to bring at least one swimsuit!

Leisure activities

Sunbathing and swimming - The island's most popular beaches are Aghioi Anargyroi and Aghia Paraskevi, on the west side of the island. A bus and tourist boats run daily from Spetses Town during the summer season. An acceptable, if somewhat touristy, self-service restaurant operates in-season at Aghioi Anargyroi. The Bekiris Cave at Aghioi Anargyroi, complete with its own sandy beach, is a must-see. Access is overland from the northern edge of the Aghioi Anargyroi beach, or else you can swim inside through a very low opening. The cave served as a hideout for women and children during Turkish attacks on the island.

You may have the opportunity to engage in a range of other activities during your stay on the island. These may include mountain biking, sailing, parasailing and snorkelling.

Eating on Spetses - Breakfast and lunch will be provided at Hotel Spetses. Dinner will sometimes be taken communally in tutorial groups, but otherwise the evenings are free. There are many good restaurants and bars on Spetses. More information can be obtained from the various tourist information sources.

Useful links

or search for Spetses, Greece at Google Earth.