Get Your “Greek Fix” in Tarpon Springs, Florida (No Passport Required!)
In the early 1900s, Greek sponge divers came here seeking work. Today, this thriving Florida community is like a visit to the Greek Islands.
If you’re a regular follower of this website, you already know that I adore the Greek Islands.
I’ve visited dozens of beautiful islands in Greece over the years, and an annual Greece trip has become a summertime must these days.
Read More: 10 Irresistible Greek Islands to Visit (#8 is Greece’s Best-Kept Secret) ☀️
But a long flight to the Greek Islands isn’t always practical. For example, in the winter months!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle). All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
Luckily, when I need a “Greek fix,” there’s a closer option. And it’s not far from my Punta Gorda home, right here on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Every time I visit this historic Florida town, I feel like I’ve been transported straight to the Greek Islands—minus the passport stamp. The whitewashed buildings, smell of grilled octopus drifting through the air, and café tables filled with locals chatting over tiny cups of Greek coffee feel straight out of the Aegean.
But this isn’t Greece—it’s Tarpon Springs, Florida.
And this historic waterfront town in Pinellas County might be just the Mediterranean escape you need this winter.
Known as the sponge capital of the world, Tarpon Springs owes its Greek heritage to immigrants who arrived in the early 1900s to build Florida’s thriving sponge-diving industry.
They brought with them their culture, cuisine, and community spirit, transforming this small Florida town into a little slice of the Mediterranean.
The History of Tarpon Springs
The story of Tarpon Springs’ sponge industry is what makes this charming Gulf Coast town so unique.
The tiny island of Symi was one of the first Greek islands to dive for sponges. Symi’s inhabitants were skilled in both diving and processing techniques. I’ve written extensively about the Greek Islands, and Symi has always been one of my favorites.
Read More: Sparkling Symi is the Best Greek Island You’ve Never Heard Of
By the Middle Ages, Symi was so dominant in the industry that many believed sponges only grew in Symi. The island’s economy was heavily supported by the sponge trade, but the industry began to decline after World War I.
In the late 1800s, a gentleman by the name of John Cheyney, an importer and exporter out of Europe, came to Tarpon Springs on vacation. While in the Tarpon Springs area, Cheyney saw a business opportunity when he noticed that the the Gulf of Mexico was very similar to the Mediterranean.
He started the Rock Island Sponge Company in 1890 and recruited Greek divers to come to Florida to harvest them.
In the early 1900s, Greek sponge divers from the island of Symi and other Dodecanese islands came here seeking opportunity.
They quickly discovered that the Anclote River and nearby Gulf waters were rich with natural sponges deep down on the ocean floor. Using traditional diving suits and hand-harvesting methods, they built what would become the commercial sponge industry of the United States.
Over time, Greek families settled permanently, opening homes, churches, and small restaurants to serve the divers who worked long, grueling days at sea. Those humble tavernas grew into the lively Greek restaurants and bakeries that now define the town’s food scene.
How to Get to Tarpon Springs 🚗
Located in Pinellas County, Tarpon Springs is about 45 minutes northwest of Tampa and 25 minutes north of Clearwater. It’s an easy and scenic day trip from anywhere in the Tampa Bay area.
The closest major airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA), which has nonstop flights from most major U.S. cities. If you’re staying in St. Petersburg, Dunedin, or Clearwater Beach, Tarpon Springs is an easy half-day or full-day trip. Parking is plentiful near the historic sponge docks.
Once you arrive, the town is wonderfully walkable—you can explore the shops, restaurants, and Anclote River waterfront on foot. However you get here, Tarpon Springs feels like a small detour from Florida—and a big step closer to Greece.
Where to Stay in Tarpon Springs
Most people visit Tarpon Springs as a day trip from Tampa, Clearwater, or St. Petersburg. But this charming historic city is worth lingering in for a night or two—especially if you want to enjoy the sponge docks after the crowds have gone home.
While Tarpon Springs is small, it has a good mix of historic inns, family-run motels, and cozy Airbnbs. Here are a few good options:
- Hampton Inn & Suites Tarpon Springs – A solid modern option just minutes from the sponge docks, offering comfortable rooms, a pool, and easy access to Alt 19 for exploring the area.
- Tarpon Shores Inn – A classic Florida motel with simple rooms, friendly owners, and a convenient location close to both downtown Tarpon Springs and the Anclote River.
- Fairfield Inn and Suites Holiday Tarpon Springs – Another good, family-friendly option, a few miles from the sponge docks with all the modern conveniences.
- Airbnbs in Tarpon Springs – You’ll find plenty of cute bungalows like Dockside Dreams and this Historic Tarpon Springs Cottage available around Spring Bayou and the Anclote River, many owned by locals who’ve lived here for generations.
Best Things to Do in Tarpon Springs 🧽🇬🇷
If you’re here for more than just the food, here are a few fun things to do when you visit Tarpon Springs:
1. Stroll the Historic Sponge Docks
The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks are the heart of the city and where it all began. Greek immigrants from the island of Symi arrived in the early 1900s and turned this stretch of the Anclote River into the sponge capital of the world.
Today, you can tour the docks, browse specialty shops selling natural sponges, and watch sponge divers demonstrate the same techniques their ancestors brought from Greece.
2. Visit the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum
Located in Craig Park near Spring Bayou, the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum brings the town’s story to life—from its late 19th-century founding to its booming days as a popular winter resort for wealthy northerners.
Exhibits cover everything from sponge diving to Greek immigration and the city’s place on the National Register of Historic Places.
More Info: Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum
3. Step Inside St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Modeled after St. Sophia in Constantinople, this stunning cathedral is the centerpiece of Tarpon Springs’ Greek community. Its marble columns, intricate mosaics, and massive dome make it one of Florida’s most impressive churches.
Each January, it hosts the Epiphany Celebration, when young men dive into Spring Bayou to retrieve a cross—a tradition brought straight from Greece.
4. Explore Downtown Tarpon Springs
Away from the docks, downtown Tarpon Springs has a charming mix of antique shops, galleries, and coffee houses.
Pop into Tarpon Arts for exhibits and live performances, or stop by the Historic Train Depot Museum to learn about the town’s early railroad connections and growth during the real estate boom.
If you’re into spooky tours, this Tarpon Springs Ghost & History Tour is a fun way to explore the history of the downtown area.
5. Take a Boat Tour on the Anclote River
Get out on the water when you visit Tarpon Springs! Several boat tours, eco-tours, and sponge-diving demonstrations depart right from the sponge docks. It’s the perfect way to get a unique look at the marine life and coastal beauty that define this historic city.
You’ll cruise along the coast of Tarpon Springs, spotting dolphins, pelicans, and maybe even a sponge diver at work. Some tours stop at Anclote Key Preserve State Park, a barrier island known for white sand beaches and a historic lighthouse.
If you want to see the manatees, the Manatee Season Clear Kayak Tour of Tarpon Springs and the 2.5 Hour Kayaking with Manatee & History Tour in Tarpon Springs are both fun ways to get out on the water and visit with these sweet, friendly Florida residents.
6. Hit the Beach at Fred Howard Park
Located just west of downtown, Fred Howard Park encompasses 155 acres of park and beach, located right on the Gulf of America. Follow the 1-mile causeway to the park’s white sandy beach for swimming and spectacular Gulf coast sunsets. The park is home to wildlife, including eagles, gopher tortoises, and fox squirrels.
More Info: Fred Howard Park
7. Dive Into the Town’s Art & History
Tarpon Springs has long attracted artists and writers, including George Inness, whose landscapes helped put the town on the map in the late nineteenth century. You’ll find murals and galleries throughout the city of Tarpon Springs, blending Greek heritage with Florida’s coastal beauty.
Restaurants in Tarpon Springs 🍋🥙
If you come to Tarpon Springs, come hungry. Food isn’t just part of the experience here—it is the experience.
Thanks to the town’s deep Greek roots, you’ll find some of the most authentic Mediterranean food in the United States. From freshly baked baklava and flaming saganaki to grilled octopus that tastes like it came straight off a Greek fishing boat.
Walking along the historic sponge docks, the air is thick with the smell of garlic, olive oil, and lemon. Cafés spill out onto the sidewalks, Greek music floats through the air, and there’s always someone offering a sample of honey-drenched loukoumades (Greek donuts).
Here are a few can’t-miss stops for your Tarpon Springs food tour:
Hellas Restaurant & Bakery
The landmark of Tarpon Springs dining, Hellas has been serving Greek classics for decades. The dining room is bright and lively, filled with blue-and-white décor that’ll make you feel like you’re in the Dodecanese.
Order the saganaki (flaming cheese), grilled octopus, or moussaka, and then wander next door to their bakery for baklava, galaktoboureko, or a box of kourabiedes (almond butter cookies) to take home.
Mykonos Restaurant
Casual and full of locals, Mykonos serves simple, traditional Greek dishes that hit all the right notes—gyros, stuffed grape leaves, lemon potatoes, and whole grilled fish. The staff here treats everyone like family, which only adds to the authentic vibe.
Dimitri’s on the Water
For a waterfront meal, Dimitri’s is the spot. It sits right on the Anclote River, with a breezy patio perfect for sipping ouzo or wine while you watch the sponge boats glide by. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, from snapper and grouper to shrimp saganaki.
Costas Restaurant
Located downtown, Costas offers hearty portions and a friendly, old-school atmosphere. The pastitsio (my favorite Greek dish!) and lamb shank are standouts, and the lemon soup here is as comforting as it gets.
Mama’s Greek Cuisine
Tucked behind the sponge docks, Mama’s is a bit of a local secret. Expect homemade-style Greek comfort food and nightly live entertainment—from bouzouki players to belly dancers.
National Bakery & Coffee Houses
You can’t leave without a stop at one of the Greek bakeries or coffee houses that line the docks. Sip strong Greek coffee served with a glass of water (just like in Athens) and pick up baklava, kataifi, or a bag of sponges and olive oil to take home.
Chalki Mediterranean Market
Bring the taste of Greece home with you with a stop by this Greek grocery store and deli. This is a great place to find all those unique Greek ingredients you won’t find at Publix!
Tarpon Springs also hosts seasonal food and wine festivals, and if you visit in January for the Epiphany celebration, you’ll find street stalls overflowing with loukoumades, roasted nuts, and strong Greek coffee.
Get Your Taste of Greece on the Gulf Coast
Every time I visit Tarpon Springs, I leave with a full stomach and a happy heart.
There’s no better way to get my “Greek fix” right here in Florida. When I stroll the historic sponge docks or stop for spanakopita at a family-run bakery, I’m reminded of quiet harbors and hillside villages half a world away.
The Greek community here has held on to its roots with pride and warmth. From the sponge divers who built the industry to the families still running the bakeries and cafés today, Tarpon Springs celebrates its Greek heritage in the most delicious and heartfelt ways.
It’s the closest you can get to Greece without boarding a plane!
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