Spetses: Easter on the beautiful Argosaronic Island

In the pre-Easter days on the island of Spetses, life is always seething. Numerous visitors flock here to celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on a grand scale and get acquainted with national traditions, taste unexplored dishes.

There is no road transport on the island. Bicycles, ATVs, horse-drawn carts and pedestrians – the streets of the island are not overcrowded. There are many yachts moored at the pier.

Easter on the island is celebrated traditionally and at the same time secularly. On Good Friday, a grandiose procession “epitaph” takes place. The candles that believers hold in their hands are like fireflies, barely illuminating mournful faces. On the night of the Resurrection, a fake boat lights up in the church of Analipsi, which reminds of the days of Armata (Αρμάτας). And on Easter Sunday, an effigy of Judas is traditionally burned on Kunupitsa Square.

Spetses is a spring flower that appears before the guests in all its glory as soon as the good weather sets in. That is why, if you are going to the island during the Paxhi period, it is worth exploring its countryside the most. Rent an electric bike or motorbike (cars are not allowed) to go around the island (it can be done in 1 hour) and see the beauty of the island, the pine forest with your own eyes.

There are benches along the route overlooking the beaches and the neighboring satellite island of Spetsopoulou (Σπετσοπούλα). Tourists will find a fairly extensive network of hiking trails that came in handy and were actively used by the locals during the quarantine.

There are 19 routes on the island with a total length of 65 km. More information can be found on the “Cultural Trails of Spetses” (“Μονοπάτια Πολιτισμού Σπέτσες”) Facebook page and the Anavasi mapp app.

Another walk worth taking is along the sea to the peninsula with animalistic sculptures by Natalia Mela, located north of the old port.

Back at the port, head to the Roumani Hotel and café complex to admire paintings and retro commemorative inscriptions created many decades ago by the great Greek ceramist Panos Valsamakis (1900-1986). This is a rare work of art.

Pay attention to:

1. Poseidonio (Dapia, tel. 22980-74553, poseidonion.com, from 230 euros for a double room with breakfast). This is a very special hotel in Argosaronikos. In 2014, the work of the great benefactor of Spetses Sotirios Anargyros turned 100 years old. The hotel has been completely refurbished to retain the luxury, glamor and sophistication of a bygone era.
2. Armata Boutique Hotel (Agios Antonios parish, tel. 22980-72683, armatahotel.gr, from 154 euros for a double room with breakfast, booking from 10 April). It is located in a traditional residence, has 20 rooms and places great emphasis on high service.
3. Hotel Roumani (Dapia, tel. 22980-72244, hotelroumani.gr, from €66 for a double room with breakfast). Beautiful accommodation with friendly staff and modest cozy rooms. The big advantage is its location – two minutes from the main pier.

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