Car-free island that’s home to one of the world’s best hotels and featured in a Hollywood blockbuster
AN island in Greece has been labelled as “perfect” because of its beaches, its world class accommodation and typical town squares.
Some Greek islands grab the headlines much more than others, but when there are 227 inhabited islands and islets to choose from, it’s not surprising that some slip under the radar.
One that certainly does that is Spetses, which is a surprisingly lesser-known destination, despite it getting a fair dose of the limelight.
It’s frequently visited by hugely famous names like Claudia Schiffer and Nicole Kidman, who even owns a property on the island.
Local royalty chooses to go there for holidays too, including Princess Tatiana, daughter of Constantine II, the last king of Greece.
Daniel Craig is also very familiar with Spetses having filmed one of his biggest films there.
The Glass Onion, the follow up to Knives Out, was shot on location on the Greek isle, doubling up as tech billionaire Miles Bron’s, played by Edward Norton, private island.
The Telegraph described Spetses as the film‘s “real star” because of its verdant landscapes, clear blue waters and its town’s quaint streets.
They wrote: “The real star of this madcap mystery from filmmaker Rian Johnson is Spetses – an off-piste isle just off the Peloponnese coast, that doubles as Bron’s ‘private island’.
“With its secret coves and sumptuous seafood, hiking trails and A-list cachet, it’s as far a cry from the cosy New England setting of the first blockbuster as Craig’s Blanc is from Bond.
“Backed by pine-covered hillsides and gazing out over waters so clear you can see starfish tiptoeing around on the bottom, Spetses’ cobbled streets lined with squat, whitewashed houses have long been a magnet for the rich and famous.”
One place you’re likely to find A-listers when visiting the island is the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, which was included on Conde Nast Traveller’s Gold List 2024.
The list includes the 68 resorts and hotels that the magazine’s travel experts believe to be the best in the world.
They wrote of the hotel: “Jutting like a vast and immaculately frosted cake above the shore, the once-crumbling Poseidonion Hotel has undergone a full restoration, firmly reclaiming its immensely glamorous and international air.
“To sit on the Poseidon terrace overlooking the sea is to feel like you’re watching the whole irrepressible island coming and going: the buzz is fabulous.”
CN Traveller were also impressed by the isle itself, labelling it “the perfect Greek island”.
No cars are allowed on the land, so they suggest getting around on an electric bike instead.
From there visitors can smell the wild herbs and flowers, explore the deserted beaches and visit the many cafes and tavernas on offer in the whitewashed towns.
Getting to Spetses is pretty simple, with two ferries per day leaving to the island from Athens.
The ferries take around three hours to reach the destination from the Greek capital.
Once there, a night for two can be booked from around £33.
Meanwhile, these all-inclusive deals to Greece are available from £395pp.
And these are the three Greek holiday destinations that are cheapest for package deals.