Ferry from Spetses to Porto Heli

Spetses Guide

The Greek island of Spetses is one of the Saronic group of islands. Its ancient name was Pityonissos and Pityousa from the ancient Greek word for tree, "Pitys". The Venetians brought the name Spetses with them as they used to call the island "Isola di Spezzie" which means the island of aromas (spices). The largest town on the island is also called Spetses and is quite unusual in that private vehicles are not allowed within the town's boundary. As a result, people who live there or visit, have no choice but to walk or take a horse-drawn carriage. Motorcycles and bicycles are permitted.

The closest beaches to the town are Agios Mamas, in the centre of the town, and Kaiki beach which is around 1 km to the north west and Agia Marina which is 2 km to the south. For beaches further from the town, such as Zogeria, Agioi Anargiroi and Agia Paraskevi, there are public buses that can be taken.

In the Medieval times, the island flourished with trade and the locals constructed elegant mansions that survive to this day. Spetses is also a popular weekend destination due to its proximity to Athens.

Porto Heli Guide

Located on the eastern side of Peloponnese in Greece, Porto Heli is a small seaside town with a large port that lies on the Argolic Gulf. Visitors to the town will often see small fishing boats and yachts moored in the port, especially during the summer, which gives the town a charming, cosmopolitan, feel about it. For beach lovers there are a couple of organised beaches in the town but most beaches tend to be small secluded coves which provide the added benefit of being more relaxing than their organised counterparts. Many Athenians have holiday homes in the town which is a popular destination with families and is convenient for trips to Ancient Epidaurus, Poros, Ermioni, Mycenae and Nafplion.

The Argolic Gulf is a gulf of the Aegean Sea off the east coast of the Peloponnese in Greece. It is about 50 km long and 30 km wide with its main port, Nafplio, located at its north western end and at the entrance to the gulf is the island Spetses. The gulf and its islands are sometimes combined with the Saronic Gulf and Saronic Islands, with the result called the Argo-Saronic Gulf and the Argo-Saronic Islands.