Spetses is one of the Saronic islands closest to the Peloponnese, with a handsome harbour town, pine-covered back roads, and a proud role in the Greek War of Independence. It feels more polished than nearby Hydra, but less museum-like: fishing boats, water taxis, summer yachts, old shipyards, and horse carriages all share the same waterfront.
The island's best walk runs from Dapia, the main harbour, east along the sea to the Old Harbour. On the way you pass sea-captain houses, the Bouboulina Museum, the Spetses Museum, and Agios Nikolaos, where local revolutionary memory is still tied to the church courtyard.
Spetses is not just a beach island, though there are coves and pine-backed swimming spots around the coast. Its real pleasure is the mix of maritime history and soft island glamour: a morning in the museums, an afternoon by boat or bicycle, and an evening watching the old harbour fill with light.