Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida. It is known for its implication in the sponge diving industry and its strong Greek presence. In fact, it has the highest percentage of Greeks of any city in America.

Get in

Get around

There is limited public transportation in the city. Having a car is your best bet here. There are also taxis available.

Elite Taxis: +1 727-484-0248

See

Sponge Docks. On Dodecanese Avenue, this area is the centre of all sponging and fishing activity in the city. Right by the water, the street features many shops, restaurants and attractions. Although a bit tacky, there is a dishevelled charm to it.

Bayous. Various bayous border the city and are perfect places for a stroll or, if possible, a leisurely boat ride. On Epiphany day, a Greek-Orthodox Holiday, the holiday is commemorated with the traditional diving for the cross, where young men dive in the Spring Bayou, on spring Street, to recover a sunken cross.

Tarpon Avenue. A charming old street featuring historic buildings and a few shops.

Do

The Tampa Bay area is best known for its authentically rolled Cuban cigars in Ybor City, so why not light up un auténtico cigarro cubano from the cigar stands on Dodecanese Blvd? One local cigar stand called "Dreams of Cuba" offers panatelas puros as well as a nice hot cup of Cuban coffee as you stroll the streets, shopping.

• 1 Anclote Key Preserve State Park. A Florida State Park and historic site, located on Anclote Key three miles off Tarpon Springs and accessible only by boat. Amenities include primitive camping on the northern portion of the island as well as picnic pavilions and grills. Wildlife includes the American Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle and Piping Plover. The park is unique in that a lighthouse, built in 1887, is on the southern end of the key. Three Rooker Island, south of Anclote and part of the preserve, remains an important Gulf coast beach-nesting bird sanctuary. The park has such amenities as beaches, birding, primitive camping, boating, fishing, hiking, picknicking areas and wildlife viewing.  

Buy

At the Sponge Docks, there is a small shopping mall on Dodecanese Blvd. called the Sponge Exchange, with multiple stores to explore the sponges, knick-knacks and other souvenirs.

• The Sponge Exchange, 735 Dodecanese Blvd., ☏ +1 727 934-8758. The Sponge Exchange is a small outdoor shopping mall with about 40 businesses to enjoy; some are restaurants, but most are shoppes, some are sponge-related. From the white and blue Greek-style walls to the fountain and live Greek music found within, this place will give you an idea of a modern Tarpon Springs shopping village. 

Eat

The exquisite cuisine of Tarpon Springs mostly revolves around the Greek culture, so it's not uncommon to see gyros, souvlaki, and other Greek foods.

• Hella's Restaurant, 785 Dodecanese Blvd., ☏ +1 727 943-2400. Greek restaurant. 
• Eat Greek Kouzina, 150 East Tarpon Ave, ☏ +1 727-940-6086, contact@eatgreekouzina.com. 11:00pm -10:00pm. Chef-owned and -operated offering authentic Greek flavors. The menu is varied and the food is great, as is the service. The layout of this restaurant is unique and very comforting with brick face walls and a second floor interior dining mezzanine, giving the feel that you just walked into a rustic but modern establishment somewhere in Greece. (updated May 2016)

Budget

• Mama's Greek Cuisine, 735 Dodecanese Blvd #40, ☏ +1 727 944-2888. Mon-Sun:11 am - 10 pm. For 20 years, they fed the sponge divers and their families authentic Greek food and it's now a popular local spot. (updated Mar 2015)

Mid-range

• Captain Jack's, 21 Oscar Hill Rd., ☏ +1 727 944-3346. Sun–Thu: 11 am – 10 pm; Fri & Sat: 11 am – 12 am. Captain Jack's is considered by many as the hotspot restaurant of Tarpon Springs. This restaurant, grill and tiki bar has an amazing waterfront view, especially the outside tables. 
• Paul's, Arfaras Boulevard (Perpendicular to Dodecanese). Restaurant and bar that serves a range of dishes, including fish, burgers and seafood. 

Drink

• DC's Downtown, Tarpon Avenue. Dive Bar with pool tables. 
• Tarpon Springs Castle Winery, 320 E Tarpon Avenue, ☏ +1 727 943 7029. 

Sleep

Stay safe

Tarpon Springs is a relatively safe city. The area around the docks, Pinellas Avenue and Tarpon Avenue are all easily walkable. Taxis

Go next

Routes through Tarpon Springs

Atlanta ← New Port Richey ←

N  S

→ Palm Harbor → Saint Petersburg