A captain's mansion and palms on the Spetses waterfront, the Peloponnese coast across the water
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Luxury in Greece

Porto Heli and Spetses

The summer riviera of Athens society: the villas of the shipping families around Porto Heli, Amanzoe above the olive groves, and car-free Spetses across the water.

The waterfront, SpetsesPhotograph: Eleni Afiontzi

Kalós orísate

The shipowners’ riviera

Porto Heli lies on a sheltered bay at the tip of the Argolid peninsula in the Peloponnese, and for decades it has been where the great Greek shipping families keep their summer villas, their yachts moored in the coves below.

Across a narrow strait lies Spetses, an island of captains’ mansions and pine woods where cars are not allowed in the old town. Its heroine, Laskarina Bouboulina, commanded ships in the War of Independence, and the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, opened in 1914, still faces the harbour.

On its hill above the olive groves stands Amanzoe, and inland lie the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, still used for summer performances, and Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece. Athens is about two and a half hours by road, or a short flight by helicopter.

A few words of Greek
EnglishGreekSay it
HelloΓεια σαςYAH-sas
PleaseΠαρακαλώpa-ra-ka-LO
Thank youΕυχαριστώef-ha-ri-STO
Good eveningΚαλησπέραka-li-SPE-ra
The bill, pleaseΤον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώton lo-ghar-yaz-MO, pa-ra-ka-LO

Stay

Luxury hotels in Porto Heli and Spetses

The finest hotels in and around Porto Heli and Spetses: each rated Forbes Five-Star, holding two or three MICHELIN Keys, or among the 25 Finest Resorts of the Mediterranean.

Porto Heli, Peloponnese

Amanzoe

Amanzoe crowns a hilltop above Porto Heli like a modern acropolis. Its colonnades were designed by Ed Tuttle and open to views of olive groves and the Aegean in every direction.

Visit website ↗

Cruises

Porto Heli and Spetses by sea

How the ships arrive in Porto Heli and Spetses, and the luxury lines that call.

Small ships anchor off Spetses and in the bay of Porto Heli and bring guests ashore by tender.

The luxury line that calls here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Experience

Events and things to do in Porto Heli and Spetses

The Porto Heli and Spetses year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Ancient Theatre of EpidaurusPeloponnese

    The 4th-century BC theatre of the sanctuary of Asclepius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its acoustics, where the Athens Epidaurus Festival stages ancient Greek drama each summer. Visit website ↗

Live

Luxury real estate in Porto Heli and Spetses

A home in Porto Heli and Spetses: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

All the leading agencies in Greece ›

Looking for a home in Porto Heli and Spetses? Write to travel@TheMediterranean.com and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Branded residences and new developments

  • Amanzoe VillasPorto Heli

    Aman offers privately owned villas above the Peloponnese coast, with classical colonnaded architecture, large pools and full access to Amanzoe's spa, beach club and dining. Visit website ↗

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Porto Heli and Spetses and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Porto Heli and Spetses

Where is Porto Heli?

At the tip of the Argolid peninsula in the eastern Peloponnese, Greece, facing the island of Spetses. Athens is about two and a half hours by road or about 35 minutes by helicopter; seaplanes and private boats also serve the bay.

What is Porto Heli famous for?

Its villas and yachts of the Greek shipping families, Amanzoe, the car-free island of Spetses with the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, and its closeness to Epidaurus and Nafplio.

Do you tip in Porto Heli and Spetses?

Service is generally included in the price, but leaving 5–10% for good service is customary. Round up taxi fares, or add 5–10% for longer journeys. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.

What should you wear in Porto Heli and Spetses?

Dress modestly at churches and monasteries: women cover their shoulders and knees, and men wear long trousers and sleeved tops. At the monasteries, wraps are usually provided at the entrance and men in shorts are turned away. No hard-soled shoes on yacht decks. Fine dining is smart-casual, and Athens and Mykonos can be dressier.

Beyond Porto Heli and Spetses

More in Greece

Mykonos, Santorini, the Athens Riviera, the Peloponnese and Crete, and the Mediterranean beyond.

GreeceLuxury Greece Holidays: Mykonos & SantoriniExplore GreeceThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Porto Heli and Spetses, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Porto Heli and Spetses

How Greece does things.

Language
Greek is the official language. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and anywhere that serves visitors.
Greetings
A firm handshake with eye contact on first meeting is usual. Friends typically greet with a hug or two cheek kisses. Address people as Kyrie (Mr) or Kyria (Mrs/Ms) with their surname until invited otherwise.
Dress
Dress modestly at churches and monasteries: women cover their shoulders and knees, and men wear long trousers and sleeved tops. At the monasteries, wraps are usually provided at the entrance and men in shorts are turned away. No hard-soled shoes on yacht decks. Fine dining is smart-casual, and Athens and Mykonos can be dressier.
Dining
Greeks eat late. Lunch is usually taken by about 3 pm, and dinner rarely starts before 9 pm, often 10 pm or later in summer. Reservations are essential at the top restaurants in Athens and on the islands in high season. Sharing plates is the custom.
Tipping
Service is generally included in the price, but leaving 5–10% for good service is customary. Round up taxi fares, or add 5–10% for longer journeys. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.
Good to know
Avoid the open-palm "stop" gesture towards someone, because in Greece it is an insult (the moutza). It is illegal to approach, photograph or film military installations, vehicles or buildings, and offenders can be arrested; take the same care in border areas.
Tourist tax
Hotels add a climate resilience fee per room per night, €15 at five-star hotels from April to October; cruise passengers landing on Santorini or Mykonos pay €20 a visit in summer.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.