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For those who seek an excuse to escape from the city over the weekend, the island of Spetses offers it.

Before the holiday tan has disappeared, every year at this time Spetses invites us to the Armata (Armada) festival, and offers the chance to dive into the sea for the last time this season.

What is Armata and what will you see?

Every year during the second weekend of September this cosmopolitan island in the Argo-Saronic Gulf celebrates the burning of the Turkish flagship, which happened on 8 September 1822 near Spetses, by Kosmas Barbasis. Although the festival lasts a week and includes concerts, theatrical performances, lectures, dances, the peak is on the first Saturday after 8 September, when there is a reconstruction of the battle and the burning of the Turkish frigate followed by fireworks. During the festival, the island is full of people.

Let us get acquainted with the island

On Spetses you can hide from the urban atmosphere, dirty air and traffic, as during the season the only cars on the island are the grey taxis. In order to go for a walk, you have to do it on foot, by a cart, by a taxi, bus or sea taxi.

The most popular place on the island is Dapia, the central square with the famous Cafe Rousseau with a sea view, with other cafes and restaurants. You will also notice the Poseidon Hotel, located in an old aristocratic building.

A tour around the house of Bouboulina, which is a museum, as well as the Museum of Spetses, will introduce you to the atmosphere of Armata. Follow this by a walk along the streets to see the local houses and mosaics and you will have been properly introduced to the island.

In Dapia you will find a square with a clock featuring many restaurants and you can also try local specialties at the old port in Kounoupitsa and in Agios Mamas.

An evening in the old port holds out the offer of a drink in one of the many restaurants. Also there is one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece built in 1837.

Last beach

At first glance, the beaches of Spetses are not so remarkable. However, shortly after Dapia there are beaches with beautiful waters and scenery that will make you forget that you are in the Argo-SaronicBay. If the weather permits, visit the beach of Agia Paraskevi on the west coast of the island. Agioi Anargiri in the southwest, Zogeria, Xilokeriza, Ligoneri covered with pines, Garifalo with its green waters.

Agios Mamas, near the harbour, is the easiest solution if you do not want to look far for a beach, while on Vreli and Agia Marina you will find young people and beach bars.

How to get there:

By car to Costa Ermionida (172 km from Athens) and then transfer to the island by sea taxi or boat  which takes 5 to 15 minutes. From the port of Piraeus you can take the Flying Cat or Flying Dolphin and after 2.5 hours you will be drinking coffee in Dapia.