Take the road trip to Spetses

Road Trip to Spetses Hospitality Stories

Photo credits: Eliana Russo

Benefits of taking the road trip to Spetses

As I have already mentioned in a previous story, you can visit most of the Saronic islands either by speed boat or by car. If you would like to be a little more experiential and discover some more beautiful destinations on your way to Spetses, I suggest you to go for the road trip option. To a certain point, your route will be largely the same, irrespective of whether you are visiting Poros, Hydra or Spetses; the direction changes only in the final stretch. Heading to Spetses by car will allow you to be more independent; you can arrive and leave the island whenever you want. Depending on the day and time, it will take you about 2,5 hours to cover the 180 km distance from Athens (without stops). For your convenience (to avoid being stuck in the traffic) and to better appreciate the stunning landscape, avoid setting out during peak times like Friday evening or Sunday late afternoon when you’ll have to share the road with many Athenian weekenders . My advice is to build in a little bit of extra time for this road trip, in order to have the luxury of stopping off and enjoying a few sightseeing highlights on your way to Spetses.

1st Stop: The famous Corinth Canal

You’ll spend half of the distance from Athens to Spetses driving on the modern highway connecting Athens with Corinth; just after passing the famous Corinth Canal you are going to travel through the countryside, passing through pretty villages and driving up some mountains, from where you can pull over to take knockout photos of the Saronic Gulf. Just after leaving the Athens - Corinth - Patras highway in the direction of Epidavros, do not miss the opportunity to stop at the Corinth Canal, a must-see marine marvel, even for just a few minutes. This is one of the world’s oldest canals, connecting the Corinth Gulf with the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.

Road Trip to Spetses Corinth Canal Hospitality Stories

2nd Stop: Nea Epidavros

Your next stop will be Nea Epidavros – and the view of the Saronic Gulf as you drive through the mountains will amaze you. If you feel tired or you want to relax for a while, Stork café – restaurant, is a popular pitstop, with a spectacular panorama that’s worthy of Zeus himself, as well as a photo opportunity of Nea Epidavros. Here, you can have a soft drink, coffee, snack or enjoy a delicious meal. The decision is yours!

Road Trip to Spetses Nea Epidavros Hospitality Stories

Road Trip to Spetses Ancient theatre of Epidavros Hospitality Stories

Photo credits: Anastasios Kotinas

3rd stop: Ancient theatre of Epidavros

I am pretty sure that you have heard or read about the Ancient theatre of Epidavros. This is your opportunity to see it with your own eyes (and sample its legendary acoustics with your own ears). Just take a small bypass after New Epidavros. You won’t regret it! You can even combine your trip to Spetses, with one of the world-famous theatrical plays during the Festival of Ancient Epidavros (during Fridays and Saturdays in the summer). This will require you to continue your road trip to Spetses and drive during night time, after the performance finishes. Trust me, you will be thrilled watching an ancient theatrical play, just like Ancient Greeks did 2,500 years BC! Unfortunately, due to the Corona virus restrictions, this will not be possible for summer 2020, only a restricted programme of mostly musical performances will take place in Epidavros this year.

Performances in Ancient Epidavros theatre: An unmissable encounter

The ambience, the feeling, the world-famous phenomenal acoustics and aesthetics of the Ancient theatre, accommodating approx. 13,000- 14,000 spectators, are all reasons for this once in a lifetime experience. To witness the extraordinary sound quality, drop a coin in the centre of the theatre. You will be blown away. Even if you are standing at the upper top of the theatre, it will seem like someone has dropped it right next to you! Most, if not all, theatrical plays have subtitles in English, so you can follow the dialogues of the actors and experience one of the classic ancient Greek tragedies, like Sophocles’ Electra. If you don’t have the time in your schedule to take in an ancient theatrical spectacle on your road trip, you can always visit Epidavros during the day time and still enjoy the magnificent architecture and renowned acoustics of the Ancient Theatre.

Photo credits: Anastasios Kotinas

4th Stop: Trachia village

Last stop before reaching the coast of Costa, is Trachia village: here there is nothing spectacular to see, but it's a great spot to pick up some genuine Greek products to taste. I recommend you buy Trachia’s “Greek noodles” called chylopites and their local goat cheese. Chylopites are a traditional Greek homemade pasta, a typical staple of Greek cuisine, that will help you recreate the authentic flavors of Greece back home.

Road Trip to Spetses Chylopites Trahias Hospitality Stories

Final stop before boarding for Spetses

Your final stop will be Costa where there is a designated parking lot for your car. From the small port of Costa you can either hop on one of the regular kaiki (passenger boats) or catch a red fast watertaxi, (similar to the ones some of you may know from visits in Venice, Italy) and slip over to Spetses. The ride on the water taxi will take you just a few minutes; the traditional kaikis slightly longer. Right after bording your kaiki or watertaxi, I suggest you pick up an outdoor “window“ seat in order to snap the best panoramic pictures of beautiful Spetses.

Take your road trip to Spetses and enjoy your getaway to Spetses island!

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