Cycladia | Island Practical Info

CLIMATE
The island of Spetses together with Spetsopoula island and Velopoula (uninhabited) islet belong to the same municipality of Spetses. It is located in the Argolic Gulf and, as such, it is included in the islands’ cluster of the Argosaronic Gulf. Winters are cold and wet and summers are hot. Especially during August the weather usually turns windy. The terrain is full of pine trees and its ground produces olives, olive oil, grapes, figs and almonds. The locals are mainly engaged in shipping and fishing.

It is worth mentioning that the island only features one settlement, the one found as the boat reaches the port. This area includes smaller settlements like the Old Port, Kastelli and Dapia.

TELEPHONE
The national prefix for Greece is +30 if you are calling from abroad. All numbers in the capital Athens start with the prefix 210 and are followed by 7 digits (e.g. 210-3227400).

The Area Code for Spetses is: +30 22980.

If you wish to call abroad, you have to start by dialing the other country’s national prefix (i.e. 0049 for Germany, 0044 for England etc.) and continue with the area code and the number where you wish to call.

CURRENCY
Euro €
Euro Coins: 1 and 2 euro coins (gold and silver color), 10, 20 and 50 cents (gold color) 1, 2 and 5 cents (copper color)
1 euro = 100 cents / centimes.
Euro Bank Notes: Are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is not always easy to receive change for 200 and 500 Euro Notes.

BY BOAT
From the port of Piraeus Flying Dolphins and Flying Cats (catamaran) have daily routes to Spetses. The routes are frequent and the trip lasts approximately 2-3 hours. You may also take the ferry, a water taxi or a kaiki (small boat) from Costa settlementwhich is located opposite of Spetses, eastern Peloponnese, if you prefer to travel there by car.

Hellenic Seaways
For accurate timetables and ticket costs visit: http://www.hellenicseaways.gr
Piraeus Agency Tel.: +30 210 4199000
Spetses Agency Tel.: +30 22980 73141-2

Saronic Dolphins
Ticket Reservations Tel.: +30 210 4224777
Spetses Agency Tel.: +30 22980 72107

Spetses Port Authority: +30 22980 72245
Piraeus Port Authority Tel.: +030 210 4226000, +30 210 4147800

BY ROAD
You may use a car, a motorbike, or the Long Distance Bus (KTEL) to get to Costa, a settlement located opposite of Spetses, on eastern Peloponnese. There is a parking lot to park your vehicle with a daily charge.
From Costa, which is just 1,5 nautical miles (approximately 10 minutes) away from Dapia, the central harbour of Spetses, you can take the ferry, a water taxi or a kaiki (small boat operating routes during summer).

Long Distance Buses (KTEL) from Athens to Costa
100 Kifissos Av, Athens, Tel.: +30 210 5134588.

Ferry Routes from Costa (Peloponnese) Tel.: +30 22980 73141

Bringing your vehicle on the island is prohibited. The local itineraries are carried out by buses, taxis, water taxis and by the traditional horse-drawn carriages. There is of course the option of renting a bike or a motorbike but you should also consider walking along the coast or through the picturesque alleys of town.

BUSES
Two buses operate on the island during the summer season: from Poseidonio Square the routes towards Scholes and Vrellos beach are served and from the beach of Agios Mamas the second bus towards Agia Marina and Agia Paraskevi beach departs. On each starting point the bus routes are posted.

TAXIS
On the island there are 7 taxis starting from the main harbour.
Taxi Routes Tel.: +30 22980 72072
Taxi Service Tel.: +30 6932200240, 6942635656, 6932200204, 6944251945, 6944605784, 6946853253

CARRIAGES
During summer there are two starting points for the horse-drawn carriages: the one is found at the main port exit and carriages from there go to the old harbor and Agia Marina; the second starting point is located at the Poseidonio square with carriages heading towards Scholes. The pricelists for all routes can be found posted on catalogues at both starting points.

Carriages’ Routes Tel.: +30 22980 73171

The water taxis and the kaikia (caique or small boats) can be also hired and they leave as soon as the passenger’s seats are occupied.

Water Taxi Routes Tel.: +30 22980 72072

RENT A MOTORBIKE
Renting a bike or a motorbike is considered the best way to discover and enjoy the magical scenery of Spetses Island. The roads though, are usually narrow, winding and not well maintained, so attention is always required.

BANKS & ATMs
In the town of Spetses, you can find branches of three Greek banks (National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank).

MONEY EXCHANGE
Banks exchange all major currencies, traveler’s cheques or Eurocheques. Post offices exchange cash, but not traveler’s cheques, and usually charge lower commissions than banks. Travel agencies and larger hotels exchange cash and traveler’s cheques but usually charge a higher commission. Credit cards are accepted in shops and restaurants, however, in local cafes, especially in villages you will probably have to pay in cash.

POST OFFICE
The Greek post office is called ELTA. Post Boxes in Greece are YELLOW for normal post, usually with 2 slots for INTERNAL POST (meaning inside Greece) and post for ABROAD. RED Post Boxes are rarer and they are used for URGENT mail. REGISTERED mail is always handled and given a receipt for at the POST OFFICE.

Spetses Post Office Tel.: +30 22980 72228

POLICE STATION
Spetses Police Station Tel.: +30 22980 73100

MUNICIPALITY OF SPETSES
Town of Spetses, Tel.: +30 22980 72225

Tourist Police: 171, +30 22980 27777
Hellenic National Meteorological service: +30 210 9699101-3
Elpa (Car breakdown tourist information service): 174
Spetses Port Authority: +30 22980 72245
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 210 4226000, 210 4147800

INTERNATIONAL PRESS
International Press can be found in the Town of Spetses.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Police: 100
Fire Department: 199
Ambulance: 166

HEALTH
Spetses Health Centre Tel.: +30 22980 72472

PHARMACY
Pharmacies are located in the Town of Spetses. The opening hours are posted at the front doors or at the windows of each Pharmacy.
Tel.: +30 22980 72480, +30 22980 72256