Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
HIKING ACROSS SPÉTSES
If you want to explore Spétses on foot, you can strike directly across the island to many of the
beaches. Follow Bótasi out of town, past the
Lazaros
taverna, and as you leave town a sign
(the only one you'll see) points you up a paved road. The paving soon runs out, but a good
broad track heads up towards the heights. At the top there are no signs at all: one track leads
directly down the other side, to rejoin the road halfway between Áyii Anáryiri and Xylokériza
(the other end of this track is optimistically signposted “Profítis Ilías 5”, but in practice is virtually
impassable, on two wheels or four). The better option is to turn right along the spine of the
island, with increasingly impressive views across towards the mainland over both coasts;
before long there's an obvious (unsigned) path heading down towards Áyii Anáryiri. Continue
beyond this and there's a less obvious path to Ayía Paraskeví, while the main trail curls back
around towards the north, eventually descending to the coast road near Vréllos.
end of the beach concrete steps lead round to the Bekiris Cave, a low-ceilinged, shallow
cavern; you can clamber in through a narrow entrance at the back and then swim out,
though best to have something on your feet for the sharp rocks.
Almost at the southern tip of the island a long, steep concrete track leads down to a
cove of pale-coloured pebbles at
Xylokériza
. There's no sand at all here, but it's a
beautiful spot, surrounded by pines and phoenix palms, and rarely crowded. There's a
café and volleyball court.
Ayía Marína
or Paradise Beach is a busy, almost suburban beach, within walking
distance of the eastern edge of Spétses Town. Packed with loungers, it also has a
popular bar-restaurant and a watersports operation offering kayaks and waterski and
ringo rides. There are views offshore towards the tempting but off-limits islet of
Spetsopoúla
, the private property of the heirs of shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos.
