Together with their pictursque character, Spetses have also kept their romantic atmosphere. A small settlement by the sea full of two-storey neoclassic houses with colorful doors and windows, small balconies and tile roofs. It takes you back to another era: a stroll through bougainvillea trees and manors with tall palm trees, accompanied by the scent of flowers and the sounds of horse-drawn carriages. The first signs of inhabitation date back to the early Helladic era (about 2300 B.C). There are findings of the Mycenaean culture as well as of the early byzantine years. From 1200 to 1460 the island was occupied by the Venetians that gave it the name “ISOLA DE SPEZZIE”, which means “island of the scents”. This name exists up to today as the island is full of flowers that bear an impressive scent. Spetses played an important role during the Greek Revolution of 1821 when the residents of the island offered all their ships for this cause. At that time, the island was a significant shipbuilding and naval centre and its ships travelled all over the Mediterranean. On the 3rd of April 1821 the residents of Spetses raised, first of all the other islands, the flag “Freedom or Death” and heroes such as Laskarina Bouboulina and Chatzigiannis Mexis remained in history.
Nowadays, Spetses have evolved significantly in matters of tourism but still there is a big part of the island that remained unchanged through the centuries. Romantic strolls by the sea, a cup of coffee in Dapia with a view of the cannons that used to protect the settlement, a walk in the old harbor and the square of Poseidon where the statue of Laskarina Bouboulina is located and of course swimming in the crystal clear waters under the shade of the pines. All these are combined with the lack of cars and the use of alternative means of transport such as wagons and sea taxis. An island with high traveling services and even more new places to explore.