Salamis vs Spetses
Salamis 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.
Salamis
CulturalThe largest island in the Saronic Gulf and the closest one to Athens. Famous for the Battle of Salamis (480 BC), where Themistocles defeated the Persian fleet. Today it is a weekend destination for Athenians.
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, Salamis is the closer of the two: 30 min against 2 h for Spetses, a difference of about 90 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. Salamis does, and the ferry carries them.
Spetses has the better swimming, 3 out of 5 against 2 for Salamis. It also has more of them: 4 beaches covered here against 2.
For sights off the sand, Spetses is the richer of the two: 5 places and museums against 4 on Salamis.
Salamis is the cheaper base, around 45 euros a night against 100 on Spetses, roughly 122 percent more. Over a week that is about 385 euros of difference on the room alone.
The numbers
| Salamis | Spetses | |
|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry from Piraeus | 30 min | 2 h |
| Conventional ferry | 30 min | 2 h |
| Ferry from | 2 EUR | 30 EUR |
| Departures per day | 40 | 4 |
| Beaches covered | 2 | 4 |
| Places and museums | 4 | 5 |
| Activities | 1 | 2 |
| Room per night from | 45 EUR | 100 EUR |
| Food per day | 18 EUR | 32 EUR |
| Recommended days | 1 | 2 |
| Population | 36,000 | 3,993 |
| Area | 95 km2 | 22 km2 |
| Visitor cars | Yes | No |
| Best season | Mar - Nov | May - Oct |
| Beaches | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Food | ||
| Nightlife | ||
| Connectivity |
Which one for your trip
Choose Salamis if
- 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 only have a day and want an island that works as a day trip
Choose Spetses if
- Swimming is the priority and you want the better beaches of the two
- A car-free island appeals and you are happy to walk or take a water taxi
- You want museums, monasteries and ruins as well as a swim
- You want somewhere with a bit more going on after dinner