Agistri vs Spetses
Agistri or Spetses? Ferry times from Athens, beaches, prices and crowds compared side by side, with a straight answer on which of the two suits your trip.
Agistri
NatureThe greenest island in the Saronic Gulf. 87% pine forest, turquoise beaches and just three small villages. The perfect escape from Athens for anyone avoiding mass tourism.
Read the guideSpetses
RomanticElegant and cosmopolitan. Horses and carriages at the port, secret beaches and nineteenth-century shipowners' mansions.
Read the guideThe short answer
On the fast boat from Piraeus, Agistri is the closer of the two: 50 min against 2 h for Spetses, a difference of about 70 minutes each way. On a short trip that gap is worth more than it looks, because it applies twice.
Spetses does not allow visitor cars, so you arrive on foot and get around by water taxi, mule or your own legs. Agistri does, and the ferry carries them.
Agistri has the better swimming, 4 out of 5 against 3 for Spetses. It also has more of them: 6 beaches covered here against 4.
For sights off the sand, Agistri is the richer of the two: 8 places and museums against 5 on Spetses.
Agistri is the cheaper base, around 80 euros a night against 100 on Spetses, roughly 25 percent more. Over a week that is about 140 euros of difference on the room alone.
The numbers
| Agistri | Spetses | |
|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry from Piraeus | 50 min | 2 h |
| Conventional ferry | 1 h 40 min | 2 h |
| Ferry from | 8 EUR | 30 EUR |
| Departures per day | 17 | 4 |
| Beaches covered | 6 | 4 |
| Places and museums | 8 | 5 |
| Activities | 0 | 2 |
| Room per night from | 80 EUR | 100 EUR |
| Food per day | 30 EUR | 32 EUR |
| Recommended days | 3 | 2 |
| Population | 900 | 3,993 |
| Area | 13 km2 | 22 km2 |
| Visitor cars | Yes | No |
| Best season | Apr - Oct | May - Oct |
| Beaches | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Food | ||
| Nightlife | ||
| Connectivity |
Which one for your trip
Choose Agistri if
- Swimming is the priority and you want the better beaches of the two
- You are short on time and want the shortest crossing from Athens
- You are watching the budget
- You want to bring a car or need one for mobility reasons
- You want museums, monasteries and ruins as well as a swim
Choose Spetses if
- A car-free island appeals and you are happy to walk or take a water taxi
- You only have a day and want an island that works as a day trip