Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Reviews

Visited with family was very impressed..went on boat with sponge
diver from years past..week interesting. Area is all Greek
with food music all great. Nice gift
shops also.

Had not been to Tarpon Springs and planned a visit which did not disappoint. History to be seen - actually learnt a lot about sponges! Good restaurants abound. Take care if parking the car there are a wide range and choice of car parks at widely varying prices - advice: don't leap on to the first car park you see, take your time!

A leisurely stroll in the Greek area of Tarpon Springs will find you stopping along the docks to view the nets filled with beautiful sponges. Watch as they clean the fresh sponges and be sure to video for your friends. Many of the shops along the blocks carry a variety of the sponges for purchase. What a memorable way to fill a beautiful shell or large glass jar for your home on your return. Making memories one at a time. We love retirement.

I was very happy with the way this little town’s people are nice and welcoming. I’ve read the bad reviews and was expecting to be bombarded with sales pitch but it was everything but. There’s a big history about the sea sponges and the Greek people moving in and populate the town, opening nice Greek restaurants and pastries shops. it’s a very interesting story and fascinating how the sponges grow in the ocean. I’d recommend a weekend here and a boat trip to see the dolphins .

I always enjoy going to the Spongedocks, even if i just have a couple hours or all day. So many wonderful restaurants and shops. I love wondering the street and going through the shops. And the selection of authentic Greek restaurants is amazing. I enjoy eating along the water, listening to music at night and relaxing on the 2 hour boat cruises you can take. I highly recommend you visit the Docks,. I will definitely be going often!

My kids really enjoyed the shopping here. I thought all the shops had good prices. There are alot of restaurants and shops.

The Sponge Docks In Tarpon Springs is a delightful place to visit with charming character and lovely little shops all around the town. It’s a great spot for people that like to walk and see the sights. There’s plenty of boat rides and a small learning aquarium as well. Worth the trip.

Great tourist location to spend the day. There are plenty of nice restaurants and shops. If you’re there in the off-season don’t bother paying to park. Drive 2 to 3 blocks away from the shops and you can find plenty of street parking.

Incredible little community of Greek heritage. A walk down this street is a history list itself! This is a must see if you are in the area!

Can only repeat what others have said. Great food and LOTS of little shops to browse. We had wonderful weather which made the trip even better.

While you can walk along the working sponge docks, and see the processing of the harvested sponges, mostly this several block area has become a tourist mecca for shopping. There are plenty of nautical-related gift items, tee shirts, clothing stores, restaurants, etc. The place was crowded on a cool day when it was not conducive to do other outdoor activities in the area.

Brings back fond memories. My family would spend summers in Tarpon Springs growing up. Went back last October. A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. Nice place to spend an afternoon.

A unique opportunity to experience the Greek culture,buy a tee shirt and have wonderful food and Greek wine. Worth the trip. Explore the docks and shops.

We walked around for a little less than an hour and checked out some of the stores and boats. We also had a great lunch at Mykonos restaurant. We were there during the week and were able to find free street parking.

It's a great place to visit with lots of sponges to see. It is also the typical tourist type place with t-shirts, etc. Good restaurants though.

Have been to Tarpon Sponge Docks many times. Always have found different gifts
and personal items to purchase. Items reasonably priced. There are many restaurants
to enjoy Greek cuisine. One of my favorites is Dimitri’s.

Took the recommendation of other reviewers and got there at 10:30, drive to the end for free parking. We checked out the cute shops, boats, and bought a sponge and soap. There where several people offering dolphin cruises but all were polite and not to pushy. Overall, a fun place and worth a visit

Strolling by the shops and restaurants gives us the feel of being on vacation. There are lots of little shops to browse in and you will find a huge selection of delectable desserts in the Hellas bakery.

So neat. You can see the sponges drying and strung up. Watch them get drained and rinsed. Super neat to see!

When during a festival. Was packed but all stores were friendly. Greek food was fantastic. Loved it there - will be back!

After dining at Hellas, we went across the street to see the sponges that the boats had brought bake from the Gulf. A wide variety of shapes and sizes were found in their nets. Many shops have them for sale along the street. We bought some from Lori's, who also sells soaps. It was a fun walk around the docks area on a beautiful evening.

Unless you want an authentic Greek meal its not really much to write home about. We are vacationing in the area and decided to check it out. Its ok to browse for 30 minites or so...grab some Greel food amd move on. I dont think many people are thrilled about learning about or buying sponges...bit I was more interested in the little taste of Greece the area provided. Overpriced sponges...tacky souvenirs and great food. We also caught the Jolly Trolly here...so if you have a pass at least you can leave on the next bus in 30 or 60 minutes...

Quite interesting. We watched sponges that were being cleaned on a boat that had just returned from the Gulf. One of the crew was using a lot of water and some pounding. Another brushing out the pours. Then they were hung to dry.

Our first mission was to search out a particular location and planned to go back to check out the sponge docks. It was raining and things were beginning to close up. I would go back but I think it has become more of a tourist locations than actual fact.

When you're in Tarpon Spri you can't miss the huge ammout of sponges the divers bring in. We took some great shots of the boats laden with sponges. So many of the shops sell sponges that you can always find a few to take home, as we did. Makes a great gift.

$5 to park so I can walk around and spend money. No thank you. I'll spend my tourist dollars elsewhere.

We were staying in Tampa and it was raining so we drove up to Tarpon Springs where it wasn't raining and enjoyed a couple of hours enjoying the area. It is definitely a tourist area. Most places you have to pay for parking. It is a very nice area with shops, restaurants and dolphin tours. Once you park you can walk to everything. We enjoyed looking around in the different shops, eating lunch and having dessert at one of the local bakeries.

I love this place, it is very historic and the shops are wonderful. Many places with great food and love the dolphin tours.

Lots of interesting people and yummy Greek foods. Shopping and sponge boat tour is fun and inexpensive. Plenty of parking...use sunscreen because it is hot and sunny...not much shade.

I was anticipating my visit to Tarpon Springs. I had learned of the sponge industry and the Greek settlement through the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum in Daytona. The Inness family, George Sr. and Jr., spent significant time in Tarpon Springs and their painting reflected their experiences. I found no reference or recognition of these artists. I visited on Dec. 24th and the sponge docks were crowded. The emphasis was on shopping and eating. The shops were touristy and even tacky selling much of the same items, mainly soap and sponges. The Greek restaurant where I had lunch was unremarkable in food, service and atmosphere. The only cultural reference to the town's origin were two murals, a statue and a few boats. The aquarium closed early on that particular day. I did find St. Michaels Shrine which reflected the community. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was closed. I do not recommend the town of Tarpon Springs.

Lots of discount clothes and tourist gifts shops. There is a small museum that talks about the sponge dock history and the Greeks that came here. The sponge docks is like a little Greek town Greek food Greek music and gifts. Lots of things to see, stop and have a drink listen to music, Interesting place to kill a half day or early evening make sure you have some Greek food and dessert.

We live close by and go over as much as possible to eat. Love the food and little shops. All of our company always ask to be taken there.

Fun day exploring the sponge docks area, cute shops filled with sponges and specialty soaps, plenty of restaurants to choose from. Boat tours , take one to enhance your visit and learn more about the history of sponge diving

The Sponge Docks are great fun, and while they are not a blockbuster attraction, they are worth visiting, and based on my experience, appreciation for the area grows on you after your first stroll down Dodecanese Street. They are touristy, with stores selling t-shirts, sweat shirts, and the required sponges, required because Tarpon Springs was once the sponge capital of the world. But the shops are often interesting, the Greek Restaurants are all worth visiting, either for the Greek food or the seafood, and several short boat excursions are available and well worth while. Commercial fishing and sponging boats still go out from here, sufficient to provide more than a hint of the atmosphere of a fishing port. The Greek connection is real, with occasional Greek conversations and accents heard from time to time as you walk down the street. Going around the corner and walking down Athens Street gives you a feel for Greece itself, especially as you get a block or two away from Dodecanese and pass a couple of cafes filled with Greek men. The atmosphere is lively during the day, and quiet by evening except in the major restaurants, where they often seem to be busy even when the street is quiet. The area is a collection of independent enterprises, and conveys underlying authenticity despite its touristy aspect, which is its charm as far as I am concerned. Everything I have mentioned is modest in price, including the restaurants, gift shops and boat excursions.

We went during the week when it wasn't busy and walked around to see the sights. Had a relaxing morning.

It was nice not to have to fight the seasonal crowds. We arrived just after a big storm came thru so the foot traffic was light. We bought some sponges from one of the many stores. We also snagged some great Greek pastries. We enjoyed our visit.

Lovely setting on quaint small town Florida. Lots of restaurants, bars and shops to stroll and enjoy. Greek ethnic food and ambiance from the sponge fishermen days. Recomended 👍🏼👏🏼

We were staying in Clearwater but Tarpon Springs is only 30 min away. A nice drive if you go Alt 19 through Dunedin. The shops there are less expensive for the same type of merchandise found in Clearwater and Dunedin. A dolphin cruise is 1/2 the price as well.

I was looking forward to this visit for a few weeks. However, this is nothing but a tourist trap. There are multiple shops where you can buy souvenirs. Many of them sell sponges but I wonder about the truth about these being harvested locally. Regardless, there are a few fishing boats docked and then it is mainly shops to buy souvenirs. There are also restaurants around. We ate at one and the food was not good and overpriced. Overall very disappointed and will not return.

A few blue and white painted souvenir shops do not make a Greek small village.
Only interesting if you want to eat Greek food. If not, make your photo at the small dock, buy an overpriced sponge and return to your car.
Time to spend: max 20 min. Not worth a detour.

Tarpon Springs Sponge docks and shops are great! The town is quaint and lots of shops and places to eat and enjoy! The boats are right there with their fresh sponges for viewing!

Worth the trip and would recommend any age to go and enjoy it.

We visited today in Tarpon Springs and walked along the sponge docks. We had a great time browsing through the stores, we took a tour on the Saint Nicholas boat, ate at Dimitri ‘s, and bought some trinkets and souvenirs to remember our day. The parking was cheap, six dollars for the full day. I totally recommend going for a day trip.

You can spend a day in this little town shopping, eating, boating, and walking. Built by Greek immigrants who came here to harvest sponge in the Gulf of Mexico, the town remains true to its heritage.

The sponge docks have lots of little shops and Greek restaurants. I went with several other adults. The shops were ok but that’s not really my thing. We did the boat tour where they take you out and show how they harvest the sponge. They had a diver that used a really old dive suit and went down and brought up a sponge. Was a neat and informative trip. I recommend checking it out if you have the time.

If you like Greek food this is a fun place to go. There are lots of small specialty shops and a few awesome bakeries.

The greek food was delicious and the shops had nice souveniers. We are going back when its warmer to tour the inlets.

If you like touristy and cheap souvenirs, then this is the place for you! Plan on being accosted non-stop to visit stores, restaurants, and tours. Overall, not a lot of see or do. There are some interesting Greek restaurants and a couple bakeries if you want some authentic Greek food.

We went there just for a little bit but it was a nice place to go for a walk and enjoy the nice weather.It has the real feel of greece there.

My Mom and I were staying at Disney World for a week. We rented a car and drove to Tarpon Springs (about a 2 hour drive). We met up with my Aunt and cousins who live closer to Tarpon springs for the day. We had so much fun! It was a great afternoon and it really kept everyone entertained for the day.

we feel in Greece with the freddo-cappuccino on the terrace, the restaurants are not bad but a real taverna with bouzouki is missing

Not the sort of thing you can see in UK so this locality was most interesting and enjoyable for us. From the film showing the history of sponge gathering to the boat trip and search for unusual sea shells it provided a good day out.

We parked down by the sponge docks after driving by the hundreds of shops and restaurants. There is a small boardwalk where we watched some of the ships' crews washing off their sponges. Take a boat tour. They are well worth it and will explain the history and many uses of the sponges. There are hundreds of shops to browse and many Greek restaurants.

It is important to manage your expectations of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Yes, it is a place that has unique history, and yes, you will see a lot of sea sponges in shops. But, the downtown area is very small. You can walk up and down it in less than 15 minutes. Most of shops sell sponges (which is cool), but they also contain a lot of tourist-y cheap-o merchandise. The restaurants are losing the Greek feel to them, so many are starting to take on the brewery/pub vibes. Young children will not be overly impressed with the sponges or the downtown walk. I would suggest taking them to Aquarium instead. Overall, if you want to get a glimpse of the sea sponge industry with a Greek vibe and perhaps eat a meal then downtown Tarpon Springs is the place for you.

This village has quite a history. We took the sponge reinactment boat and learned a lot about natural sponge. Good Greek food-Costas and pastry. Several places for the pastry. Stay away from Momma's Greek restaurant, we tried to eat lunch there and sat for 10 minutes with no recognition water nothing. Walk down the street to Costas and was immediately served and the food was great!

Stayed at a wonderful AirBnb called Pelican Cottage. Kerrie and Jerry are the hostess with the most EST.

This is my home town, and one of the best things about it is the sponge docks.

We're a Greek Sponging town with a lot of history. On the Docks, you can: check out the Sponging museum, take a boat out into the gulf to see dolphins, shop, EAT delicious food and a lot of other things.

Be sure to see the Niads, new statues who were just installed in our roundabout!

My family had gotten a little too much sun so we were looking for an something to do off the beach. We headed up to Tarpoon Springs and had a very enjoyable day on the Sponge Docks. Our kids (10, 11, 13) liked seeing how the sponges were collected and sold. A few boats came in while we were people watching and they saw how they clean and sort the sponges. All the shops were very cute and not like the overpriced souvenir shops in Clearwater. Very affordable! The kids had a great time and want to return with their grandparents.

Many interesting small local shops with everything you can imagine. Clothes, jewelry, souvenirs, and of course sponges.
Lots of restaurants on the street as well.

Walking along Dodecanese Blvd, there are tons of shops and Greek restaurants. They dot both sides of the road which is just south of the river. There are lots of boats and options for river rides (about $16 per adult for an hour). Parking in most lots is $5 all day, although there are free parking lots and some street parking at either extreme of the road (which isn't too far to walk). The souvenir shops are plenty so feel free to compare what they have (and don't have) and their prices. This is a good fair weather activity.

We arrived in the afternoon during spring break so it was hot and packed. We were crunched for time so parked in the first lot which apparently is the most expensive. We saw many $5 parking lots down the main road a little too late for us. There were lots of souvenir shops with reasonable prices however they all started looking the same after a while. There were a lot of boat excursions to choose from however they seemed overpriced. Walking down the street was neat however so many employees trying to lure you into their stores or on their boat tours was a huge turn-off. A few picture-perfect areas to snap some photos.

It is a very cute little tourist village. Alot of shops, plenty of Greek food, but very little PARKING. Great for a 1 time visit, but not much more.

Have frequented Tarpon Springs and specifically the Sponge Docks for years and never get tired of the place. They have so much to offer---a wealth of restaurants specializing in tasty, authentic Greek cuisine; boat tours and fishing charters; specialty shops; nearby beaches and parks among other things. They have something for everyone in this largest Greek community in the country. Give it a visit, you will enjoy it as much as we do!

I absolutely love the sponge docks, I have to visit everyone I’m in the area. I like to shop for soaps and sponges, summer dresses and hats, there is always so much to see. I can’t wait to decorate my new house in sponge dock finds..

My husband and I decided to take a stroll around the sponge docks after our breakfast. It was a very hot day but thankfully there are plenty of shady spots to sit and rest! The little shops were cute and we picked up a few cheap souvenirs for friends back home. You could buy water bottles for $1.00 in various shops so we were able to stay hydrated for cheap! Also it was not crowded at all during our visit, which was very nice! Overall, not a bad way to spend a morning.

Sponge Bob… Who? Ignoring the obvious puns about the cartoon character, Square Pants, Sponge Docks really are—and for the past 115 years—actual docks, where divers scoured the sea floor for sponges. Now shops, bars, and Greek restaurants and bakeries (Hellas is highly recommended) line the street. I visited many shops, stimulating the local economy. In the summer heat, pace yourself and keep well hydrated. I advise a little research regarding the history of Tarpon Springs. Some of the post-trip tidbits appear below.

About 25 miles north of Tampa, Tarpon Springs was settled in 1876 and the city was founded six years later by Anson P.K. Safford, a former governor of the Arizona Territory. John Cocoris was the first Greek to settle here. Cocoris—who hailed from Leonidion Kynaourias, Greece and had arrived in 1895—was a buyer for another Greek sponge investor in New York. The Cocoris brothers started their own sponge diving venture. They return to Greece and recruited other expert divers, purchased diving equipment, and a boat named Pandora (renamed Elpis, or Hope). That original boat is displayed in the central square. Their first commercial sponging voyage set sail on June 8, 1905 into the Gulf of Mexico. Even without social media, word spread to Greece and many families—especially from the Dodecannese, thus the cumbersome name of the main street—arrived, thus transforming the town into a Greek village.

Lots of shopping along the docks. Pretty neat area with lots of history. Met many of the local shop owners who are Greek descendants.

Cute day adventure with plenty to see, experience and taste. Tons of homemade soaps, trinkets from local stuff like sponges.
I was just unprepared for the hustle of folks on the street.

Wide variety of experiences and ample selection of stores, attractions and restaurants within walking distance.

I think this place is unique, and interesting the first time. But this place is dirty, if your there to have a good time and to spend your money why in the heck does all these businesses charge you to park. That's ridiculous. I live here and its one of the last places on my list to go around town. the only time I go is when visitors come down from up north and want to go because they've never been.

Great place to walk around the shops. All shops have sponges of all sizes and shapes. Shell windchimes, books and much more. Make sure your not in a hurry. So much to see.

Tarpon Springs was settled largely by Greeks who came to work in sponge harvesting. This is a pleasant place to stroll & people watch.

Fun place to see the sponge docks. Although, it is touristy you will enjoy learning about the sponge industry. I just wish there were more plaques up to explain the history further.

I knew nothing about Tarpon Springs, but was excited to take a boat ride on the Anclote River out to an island on the Gulf of Mexico. As it turned out, Our boat ride started in a little Greek village, where sponge diving originated after Greek divers relocated to the USA. They’re still diving for sponges, and you can buy all different sizes in the many gift shops. ( cheaper if you hit the side streets, where you can buy a sponge and Greek soap, made with olive oil. The lemongrass is my favorite !! ) There’s lots of restaurants and a museum, too. I hope to go back this spring !! We camped at the Lake Tarpon/Clearwater KOA. So much to see there, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and beautiful beaches !!

Authentic doc lands area, with fishing boats docked. Lots of shops selling sponges as well as many touristy shops. Pleasant enough for a stroll, expect to be pestered by boat trip operators trying to sell tickets.

Absolutely love the Docks, I can spend days here..Looking at the boats, going in the shops, the shops have everything, not just sponges. Clothes, home decor for inside and out, souvenirs, they have it all. Beachy stuff of all kinds. There are restaurants, bakeries, candy stores, wine shops, little bars, This is a great place to hang out for a day, you can book boat tours and fishing trips right down town..

All of the sponge shops and Greek restaurants can be a little much here but what was pretty neat and worth a visit to all ages where the sponge ships docked along the sidewalk and pier. I was lucky enough to see one of them freshly full of sponges and a ship-man washing the sponges of saltwater before tossing them on shore. The nets full of sponges covering the boat likely representing days of work. It definitely makes you more intrigued by it all when you see some of the history unfolding right in front of you. After a walk up and down the street (maybe 30 minutes), you have probably seen it all! It would be great if the sponge boats offered tours.

Tarpon springs is a great place for a vacation. It’s close to the sponge markets and Sunset Beach. Can’t wait to visit again.

We stopped here before going to Hudson FL to see Million Dollar Quartet at the Show Palace Dinner Theater. It was windy and cloudy near the water, but we enjoyed just walking around and visiting a few shops that were open. There's a nice boat tour, but we didn't have time to do it on this visit. It's much better when the weather is warm - so check the weather before venturing out!

I have taken so many family members and friends to visit the sponge capital of the world and Greek center of Florida, Tarpon Springs. Located in northern Pinellas County on the gulf, the sponge docks area of the city is full of great Greek food, darling shops with sponges, soaps and other collectibles, dolphin sight seeing boat rides, a cute aquarium for families with young children, an exquisite Greek Orthodox Church and more. It’s fun for all ages and we never tire of our visits there!

Select the day shopping and walking around. Very relaxing with several musicians playing. Enjoyed the beauty and atmosphere.

Many shops, restaurants and things to do. Fun place to visit! Learn a little about Tarpon Springs Greek settlers and their sponge diving livelihood.

Wonderful experience. It is a real art to prepare the sponges until they are ready to sell. The food is delicious! Reminders of home!!!

I absolutely loved visiting the quaint historic downtown “Greek Village” area of Tarpon Springs for dinner at Yianni's Seafood & Greek Cuisine. The food was amazing.. all my favorites; FRESH Spanakopita, Gyro, Mousaka, Dolmades, and Baklava but the live music was a real treat 🤩 and then you have Hella’s Bakery 😍 OPA 😜 The downtown area decorations are so beautifully festive at night time, by the working Spong Docks. So many adorable lil boutique gift shops. This is my new fav lil area over here! Love it!!

Nothing really special about this place a lot of Greek restaurants and little shops on the Strip to look through boat docks and the sponge Factory if you're in the sponges some find it fascinating I just thought it was okay

The docs were great but the store inside the restaurant was a total tourist trap. No wonder their sign said “No refunds”. they overcharged us on several things, never gave us an itemized receipt and refused to credit the 10% they offered us at the parking lot across the street. Only one clerk who was very rude and acted as if she couldn’t work the machine to credit or correct anything. Save your time and buy from the many other stores down the road who have much better prices and people who enjoy working there

A very fun place to go if you're a shopper. This area is shop upon shop and some of them were even open as early as 9:30! A very wide variety of merchandise at a wide variety of prices. Some interesting restaurants can be found here, too.

I absolutely love this area! The quaint Greek town has a very inviting atmosphere, delicious food, plenty of shops, and awesome boat tours. There’s a lot to do, but it’s very laid back. It’s “tourist-y” without feeling too touristy. It’s a must visit!

We love this place to bring visiting Family and Friends. First we show them the free video. Then we stroll the streets and take them to a Dolphin site seeing cruise, Lori's soaps and finish off the day at Mr. Souvlaki's . Perfect Day!

Been going to Tarpon Springs for years. Most every time we would take the Gulfstar half day fishing charter. Today was the second time over the last 10 months, we were called and cancelled. Not only could we not go fishing, but we were stuck paying for the hotel bill for a day, with nothing to do, but leave and head home. They said at first they were canceling due to high winds. We had already checked the weather, and two sources said 4 to 10 mile an hour winds. They also said they didn’t have enough people to go on the trip.
Last time I’ll book with Gulfstare.

Very nice place. Has benches to seat on. Nice view. Pet friendly. Plenty of boats. Plenty of shops and restaurants in the area.

My wife myself and another couple visited Tarpon Springs on a perfect Florida fall day. The Greek food was good the Dolphin boat tour was good (actually saw dolphins). For me it was good for a one time visit nothing that makes me feel I need to go back.

We enjoyed Tarpon Springs. It was a little too windy and cold to go out on the boat otherwise we would have gone.

We had lunch at an excellent Greek restaurant called Hallas Bakery and restaurant that also gave free parking (otherwise $10 per day). They had a broad menu, food was excellent and the service was very efficient and good.

My wife enjoyed the shopping there and bought cute things for the grandchildren. She said to mention that it was a pretty town.

Some of the sponge shops had really good videos on the history of the area and the sponge industry.

Nice easy day to stroll around and go into all the shops, buy some sponges, Shea Butter, salt rock & more…. Greek lunch or dinner, Groovy Smoothies -great fresh cold pressed juice. We thought we would be there for a couple hours and head on down the coast. But we needed up spending almost the whole day ~ 6 hours. We had a great lunch at Costas. A cute, fun, ethnic Greek, tropical community to explore.

If you're interested, you can learn more about sponges than you may care to know. We did the boat tour out to Anlcote Island and found "wild" sponges on the beach.

Walking the rows of shops and restaurants is fun and eclectic. Food from breakfast to lunch to dinner and/or desserts available the entire walk as well as cute gifts and doo-dads.

A touristy area with plenty of shoppes to purchase varied types of merchandise. Some low budget and some, if you look hard, quality purchases. Some halfway decent restaurants. Definitely stop to take a look.

Came up two days in a row from Clearwater. About 35-40min drive. (Took the free trolley one day. It was ok, and about 50 minutes) Visited the Dolphin Gift Shop where Dakota told us so many interesting things about the area, the sponges, how they collected & get them ready. Highly recommend you stop in & strike a conversation. We ate at Hellas but I’d try somewhere else if going back. It was good, not great. Their bakery though, top notch! So many choices. We didn’t plan it but I’d definitely love to try one of their excursions/experiences they offer at the marina. I’ve heard great things about trip out to see how they collect sponges. Sunset beach nearby is a beautiful spot. I’d go back here in a heartbeat.

We will come back to do the boat excursion that takes you out to the gulf with someone who tells you all about sponge fishing.

Family in for 80th birthday 🎁 Party 🎉. They really enjoyed themselves. They loved that they demonstrated how sponges are really gotten real ones that is, walking around eating ice cream looking in all the shops lots of fun. Bo

It was a pleasant stroll. A little bit touristy area, but still has a character. Sponges, sponges everywhere.

Went to Tarpon springs today and what a fun little town. Let me start by saying we arrived at 10:45 and parked for $3. I’ll attach a picture of the address. We were located right across the street from spongarama. So many cute little shops and lots of sponges. Go to Hellas and get some goodies and walk along the water to see the boats with the sponges drying. You can spend hours just seeing all the little shops. A fun day for something different to do.

10-star nice people, food fabulous, gift shops had everything you would need. Educational sunset cruise. relaxing, fun, whatever you're looking for.

Tarpon Springs' sponge diving history and Greek Heritage makes for a wonderful stop while traveling on the "West Coast" of Florida. The Greek food is amazing...And don't forget to stop by the bakery at Hellas!

Great place to walk around and shop. They have it all. Don’t forget to go down the side streets too. Parking is reasonable priced so that was nice. We went a few times in order to cover it all. Loved it at Christmas time!

Me and my boyfriend love walking the shops and having lunch or dinner. They have many tours that you can go on and you can learn all about the history of sponging. It’s a nice way to spend a day.

We were staying in Clearwater and I was getting restless and needed to venture out. I loved being at the docks. It really is like being back in Greece. The shops have all sorts of treasures and the food in fantastic. Wish I could have stayed into the evening and maybe found a place for some traditional Greek music.

Don't go on a Monfday but otherwise a wonderful little place. The shop keepers were great and the shopping was great. We stopped and watched the history of the area on a video at the sponge factory it was well worth the stop.

The Sponge Docks are just boats docked along the charming old section of Tarpon Springs where the sponge boats unload their sponges. They harvest all varieties and sizes of sponges and place them on the sidewalk where they trim them and sell them across the street in little shops.
You can hear lots of Greek being spoken because Tarpon Springs has the the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in America.
It is a charming section of town with lots or restaurants, bakeries, gift shops and boat tours.
Go to the Sponge Docks, you won’t regret it.

Parking is costly on Dodecanese Blvd. but If you are happy to walk for 10 minutes before you get to the ‘Sponge Docks’ there is plenty of free street parking up the various streets off of the Blvd.
The sponge docks area is a pure tourist trap, lots of souvenir shops all selling similar tat, with a few more interesting unique shops thrown in. Lots of restaurants (most being a theme on the Greek heritage of the area), some bars and lots of hawkers trying to entice you into taking a boat trip. The two best things we did were the free ‘Spongeorama’s Sponge Factory’ for some history of the industry, and having a craft beer in the Anclote Brewing Taproom. I have to say that large areas of the Blvd. are in need of refreshing, not to put too fine a point on it the street is just plain ugly. Even by the water’s edge, it’s not at all picturesque! Very unusual for Florida. Once you accept it for the tourist trap that it is and relax into it, it’s a enjoyable way to spend half a day.

Tarpon Springs is famous for its past (and present) as the “World Capital of Sponges”. There are also demonstrations of sponge divers and you can go out on boats to collect shellfish or deep sea fishing.
At the Sponge Docks, the port where the sponges are delivered by boat, you can still buy the sponges in different sizes and quality levels today. Due to the tourists, however, many shops with nipples and klüngel have also settled, which form a small shopping street next to bars and restaurants. Rather uninteresting, but there seems to be enough customers ...

Having visited Greece many times, its fair to say the Sponge Docks are a cross between a Greek island and Disneyland. Partly real, partly fabricated. Certainly overly commercialised. But, its so strange, it is worth a short visit.

People come from all over and this is definitely the place to be when in Florida. Great local restaurant rusty bellie and also odyssey cruises is great.

I was told the shops recently reopened and over the July 4th weekend, this place was crowded. Excellent Greek food. Visit the gentlemen with a cigar booth - enjoy a cold beer and smoke if you wish.

We enjoyed the day in Tarpon Springs. The stores were unique and fun. I bought incredible olive oil soap and bought Licorice around the World from Miss Merrie's Sweets and Treats that were delicious! Great food and an overall enjoyable day

Great restaurants and shops to visit. Hella's Greek restaurant is awesome. Rusty Bellies at the end of Greektown is a wonderful fish restaurant right on the water. You can take boat trips from the sponge docks to see how they harvest sponge, or a dolphin boat cruise. They even offer sunset boat trips. Lots of fun shops up and down both sides of the street to visit. It's a must see if in the Tarpon Springs area.

Nice shops....lots of sponges in all shape and sizes! Lots of souvenir items....t shirts, hats, etc. Wonderful handmade soaps. Boat tours and fabulous Greek restaurants to choose from. A great way to spend a sunny day!

My family and I were visiting the famous sponge docks and randomly came across the sea moss shack! Has anyone else heard of it? I have never heard of sea moss before but the young lady was nice enough to teach me all about the healing benefits of SEA MOSS. She sells an edible fresh sea moss gel and an all natural lotion made from the sea moss called the Dream Creme! my 6yr old daughter has suffered from eczema and she has had amazing results with the cream, I myself have noticed a difference in the appearance of my skin after using this product within the first couple days and couldn't be more pleased! I am so glad I stumbled across this cute little shack, I forget the girls name but thank you sea moss shack!

Tarpon Springs is a great place to visit and stroll. While the area has grown and changed a bit over the years it has basically stayed much the same down by the sponge docks. It is obviously a tourist mecca and the merchants are eager to sell you something. Don't worry there is plenty to see and eat without feeling like you have been taken advantage of. There are many Greek restaurants to enjoy and the bakery is a do not miss. If you have the time and are interested in all things Greek give it a try.

Since I live in the area I may be biased. Paying for parking is ridiculous though. During season I try to stay away due to crowds.
I like the wine tasting and eating out at various places. Love the homemade soaps.

This was our first visit to Tarpon Springs where we just spent three wonderful weeks. The Sponge Dock area is interesting. There is so much history here. We took the Dolphin Cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it. Browsed the numerous shops where everyone was so pleasant and never any pressure to buy. Lots of good places to eat. Be sure to talk to Debby at Spongearama. She is delightful and we learned so much from her and it’s a great place to buy a sponge or two. If you have time watch the movie there about the sponge industry. The town is also close to beaches, nature preserves, golf courses and an easy drive to St. Petersburg.

I was here years ago and find Tarpon Springs' old-fashioned tourist style charming. But the more you learn about the hard work in sponge harvesting, the more you respect what these boats go through!

You will learn a lot about how Tarpon Springs got started and come away with a new appreciation for natural sponges as well as an understanding of how hard the Greek people worked to establish the area.

We were looking for something to do on one of the cooler days of our visit to Florida and someone suggested Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. We took our 11 year old boys and we all had a great time! Tarpon Springs is a Greek village and you can definitely feel the Greek inspiration all around there. We walked up and down the street by the water and shopped in the little shops. They had some that were more of your typical touristy shops but they also had some cool unique ones mixed in there. If you're looking for a loofah this is the place! They had several shops with sponges of all shapes and sizes and uses. They have the boats right there on the docks with people bringing in sponges from the water. It was really neat to see how they are brought in like that. They do have cruises to see dolphins and you'll have lots of people asking you to take the trip but they aren't too aggressive in my humble opinion. We didn't do the dolphin cruise although I totally would have but my kids are scared of boat rides. For parking, be sure and keep driving all the way to the end before you pay to park in the beginning of the stretch. At the end of the roundabout to the left is free parking. I highly recommend getting there early, like when they open at 10 am. We easily found a free parking spot on the street and the crowds were very light. We ate lunch at Mama's and it was delicious Greek food!! There was no wait when we went around 12:30. We stopped at Hella's Bakery and bought lots of yummy pastries to take home! The baklava is so good, dripping with honey. They have a neat shop that sells "vegetarian ivory" jewelry which is made from the tagua nut and it is really beautiful. We noticed after lunch that the crowd size was really growing. By the time we left around 3:30 it was quite crazy and the parking was sparse so keep that in mind when you plan your trip. They do have a little aquarium you can pay to go in but we didn't since we were planning an aquarium trip elsewhere the next day. My kids enjoyed the Sponge Docks as much as we did and I highly recommend you check it out!

Our entire family went including seniors, adults and grandchildren (ages 3 & 2). Parking was easy and most places free. There are a variety of boats (working and pleasure) to observe walking down the Main Street. There are many restaurants and shops on both sides of the street for easy access and browsing and buying a variety of objects from jewelry to shells to t-shirts. The main walking area is 4-5 short blocks.

If you are in Tarpon or anywhere close this is a must see. There is something for everyone, fun shops , good Greek food, and if you want to venture out you can even go on a boat to enjoy the island. I highly recommend it for all ages.

The docks are interesting to see all the sponges and learn the history of the Greek divers that collect the sponges. There is a lot of shopping and Greek food available.

My husband and I visited the area as a day trip. Neither of us had been to dock since the pandemic had started. We were pleased to see the area is still thriving. Both of us agreed that other coastal areas like Cedar Key would have such potential like the sponge docks if they just tired. The businesses and restaurants there were friendly and welcoming. I would suggest anyone near the area to go and see for yourself. Just keep in mind that you do have to pay for parking.

Interesting place and make sure to watch the movie on how sponges are gathered and made ready for use. So interesting. The gift shop has lots of different sponges and soaps and other things.

Not my favorite place, it was the same thing in every little shop. Nothing really spectacular, just sponges in all different shapes and sizes. I was very disappointed. We wont be back.

Quaint little town, a lot of nice shops, MANY sponges to choose from.
Before you park at the main parking lot, drive down on the main road and by Anibells, you can park for $4 .
Many choices of restaurant to eat traditional Greek food.
They also have Dolphins boat rides.

It was a hot day but lots of cute shops to duck into to cool off. Craft show was going on..extra bonus! Love the vibe!! A must see!!

A little Greek history of Tarpon Springs worth spending a few hours, longer if you want a boat tour! I believe most of the sponges are now imported, but they treat it as the historical spot it is! Many tourist shops and quite a few Greek restaurants and bakeries to enjoy!

We were there on the day of the Epiphany. We heard there was going to be 20,000+ people and we decided to go in the evening instead of dealing with the crowds during the event. Nice little town with a ton of shopping and eating places. Everyone was very friendly. Would recommend this place to visit and eat. Don’t forget to take dessert to go.

Nice place to walk and the history behind impressive . Good place to take the kid and a big selection on sponges

We visit Tarpon Springs often and always visit the Sponge Docks. It is a great stroll with a great view, the history of the Sponge industry in Tarpon Springs is Amazing. There are great restaurants, and lots of Great shops to visit. You will find whatever you are looking for and support local business owners as well.

This is a quant place right on the bayou that has shopping, boat tours, restaurants and little museums to learn about this interesting little town.

Quaint area with friendly people. The shops had various things for sale and was fun to go through them. There are a few places to eat that had good menus.

Walking along the docks, one can see the many types of sponges harvested by the fisherman. There are also hawkers (in a nice way) if you want to go out on a boat tour. Presumably due to Covid-19, it was not busy.

We stopped by on our way back to the east coast of Florida. It wasn't so busy on a Sunday. People that are there selling things were a little pushy but not as to make you feel uncomfortable. We understood they are just trying to make a living. The bakery shop there was AMAZING! Overall, a very neat place to spend a few hours walking around and seeing the history there.

I never there were so many different kinds of natural sponges. Fascinating and fun to browse the many shops.

If you're a shopper for touristy kitschy items, you'll love the Sponge Docks. There isn't much to see but mostly souvenir stores with a few restaurants overlooking the water. I didn't like the constant hollering of people peddling their cruises or restaurants. They weren't pushy, but they were everywhere; I had to constantly say "no thank you". As someone who travels alone, I don't like being approached by strangers. I don't recommend other than to catch a dolphin cruise or enjoy dinner at a restaurant overlooking the water.

When we found that the Historic District area was closed on Mon. and Tue. we decided to drive down to the sponge dock area and see the shops and eat some Greek food. It is such a nice area where you have your choice of quite a few Greek restaurants, ice cream and coffee shops, lots of gift shops and the boat docks. You can see the sponge boats, fishing boats and the tour boats that will take you out on a narrated cruise to see Dolphins, a sunset or out to an island where you can get out and walk around. A great place to enjoy a fun day.

This is a nice trip if you want a break from shopping, etc. We took the hour tour which was narrated. It was okay.

Extremely busy with many visitors. Interesting to see the sponge farming and learn how sponges are harvested and prepared for sale. Europeans seem more enamoured of sponges than North Americans I think. Lots of cheap touristy -and sea related items like shells for sale.Not extremely friendly to those with mobility issues. Lots of parking available. Some ho-hum restaurants with questionable hygiene (cleanliness of tables, chairs, floors) . A number of Greek restaurants for some typical Greek items but the best Greek bakeries with the most decadent baklava. Some EXCELLENT clothing stores with superb clothing for women in the places off of the main sidewalk if you're interested. Otherwise, a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours on a sunny day.

We've been coming here since moving to FL many years ago. It's a nice area with lots of greek restaurants and shopping. There's a boat ride or two also.

It’s very fascinating to see the Greek culture and lifestyle lived out. The harvesting and preparation of natural sponges is very educational and entertaining.
You won’t be disappointed by taking the time to enjoy a walk down this path to witness and experience this amazing adventure in sea life intersection with humanity 🤗

It was fun to walk the docks and watch the sponge and tourist boats. Lots of people watching too. One should go there if in Tarpon Springs, it is all about the sponges.

We got there towards to end of the day to explore. We loved all the shops with sponges and soaps. Great Greek vibe wish we had more time to dine and explore but gave us a taste to come back when in the area. The boat tours looked fun.

Is it touristy? Yes. But is there still a lot of Greek history, influence, music and food. Are there good things to see and do? Absolutely. I spent a half a day here recently and had lunch (at Mama's- nice lunch specials), walked around and saw the sponge docks, explored some shops, and bought dessert. It's not something to do every time you are in the area, but is still worth a visit. Tip- I parked at the first parking lot I saw coming in to town from t main street. It was $10. Just go into town a little more and you will see more lots both closer and cheaper. I highly refommend a trip to Fred Howard Park to watch the sun set at the end of the day.

Such a beautiful day to spend in Tarpon Springs. The crafts show was great with lots of purchase options.

So many small restaurants (Bayou Bistro), and breweries, 5 Branches and Anclote Brew as a tap house. Always enjoy the Dolphin Experience.

Real sponges straight from the ocean! Best to use in the shower, doing dishes, putting on make-up, cleaning your face. Different species of sponges for many different purposes and all natural! Great restaurants and boat cruises in tarpon springs too!

What a cute little town! Great seafood at Rusty Bellies and a beautiful visit to Howard Park. Saw dolphins in a little waterway.

The place is lovely you feel like you are actually strolling in Greece. Safe, convenient, easy parking and wonderful to walk along the waterfront. Get some history, get a drink, stop for food & pick up a souvenir or two

Want to experience one of the largest Greek communities in N America--Tarpon Springs is it and the Sponge Docks give you a great taste of Greek culture and commerce. Wonderful authentic Greek restaurants and cafes as well as a waterfront locale offering typical tourist activities, it is also a big draw for locals as well. We frequent the place for fresh seafood caught locally and offered for sale same day as caught---can get it retail in several fish stores or cooked to order in the many restaurants. Love the place and look forward to dining out there once this pandemic is extinguished!!

It's a tourist trap, I find nothing special about it, overpriced junk! you feel like your in a mall being hounded by the kiosk merchant walking down the side walk..went into spongeorrama again nothing but junk don't waste your time. i don't need a tour to see Dolphins I can rent a boat !

I love going here I try to go at least once a month because I live in Tarpon Springs. Everyone is so nice it's beautiful by the water in the restaurants have great food is a great place to visit if you come here on vacation

Loved seeing all the sponges in all the different forms. The young gentleman at a store close to the docks called Sponge divers supply was so friendly and willing to answer all of our crazy questions. If you have time, take one of the boat trips.

Just stores selling the same stuff. I did not go on one, but the dolphin boat tour was only 10 bucks for an hour. I am from Florida so I have "been there and done that" as far as boat tours. Good greek food though. I hadn't been there in 25 years, but it is still the same.

There is a lot of history in this area and Greek Culture. The parking is a bit expensive, I would recommend driving down through the middle of the area as the parking seemed to be less expensive further down. There are several restaurants and Hellas was packed, so get there early if this is on your list. Tip: buy some olive oil from the little grocery store on the side street (I think it was Hope Street) it is amazing.

Very cute little town, good food, lots of interesting little shops, a lot of boats we saw them bring in the sponges, they hav a lot of shops with sponges, lots of crystals shop, Antiques, and Greek Restaurant, and bakery’s, best Cannolis I ever had

It’s fun to see how natural sponges are obtained.

It’s also amazing to imagine the courage and daring that it took to die to the bottom of the sea with primitive apparatuses to harvest the sponges. Fun times indeed

Just spent an afternoon walking around the Sponge Docks and enjoyed a great lunch and a few libations. Absolutely worth a visit. It’s a very unique attraction in Florida with loads of History!

A must see while in FL, great experience, nice shops, lots of home made soaps & lotions. Take time to talk with locals & learn about how they get the sponges. Awesome Greek food.

Unfortunately we missed the boats coming in with sponges. So no sponges lining the docks.
Just a lot of cheap souvenir shops with items from China. Many restaurants to pick from, busiest was Rusty Barrels at the end of the main road, and wasn't even a Greek restaurant.
Not what I pictured so make sure the boats are in.

It is really a sponge dock. They still fish for natural sponges and one can view the sponge boats as well as talk to their crew to find out about the sponge business. Plus a lot of shops, cafes and restaurants. Good place to spend time

Our family of 3 experienced a private tour of Tarpon Springs with Michael John of Tarpon Springs Native Tours on January 2. Hiring Michael John to spend the day with us was well worth the very reasonable fee he charges. There is no way we would have had this experience trying to do it on our own. This guy knows everyone by name! As a first-generation native Greek from Tarpon Springs, he gave us the cultural experience that we were looking for. As we toured around the town, he told us stories of his childhood, showed us the different parts of town, and gave us a great insight into Greek culture as it is thriving in the community of Tarpon Springs. As a commercial diver, I admire the hard work from generations of sponge divers have lived here. We felt like family as we were introduced to shop owners in some of the unique shops in Tarpon Springs. We made stops at Spring Bayou where we saw the fleet of small boats being brought in for the Epiphany Celebration and then St. Michael's Shrine which embraces an emotional story for any believer. About mid-day, we took a short boat cruise down the waterway and back to the docks. At the sponge docks we experienced the smells, the sounds, and vibes of this bustling seaside community. The shops are varied and unique with emphasis on the sponges which have made this place what it is. The shop owners were very welcoming. They were happy to answer questions and eager to talk about their wares. Throughout the village, the smells of incredible Greek cuisine permeated the air. For lunch, Michael John took us to Mamas Restaurant for some of the best authentic Greek food that we have eaten. A classical violinist, Cal Morris, played in the square serenading us with his wonderful sounds. We would highly recommend Michael John's tour to anyone who wants to learn more about Tarpon Springs, sponge diving or the local Greek Culture.

We always make time to visit the sponge docks when we are in Tarpon Springs. It is very cool to simply take in the culture that was established by Greek immigrants in the early 1900’s. I do wish the stores stayed open longer for visitors coming into town for dinner later until the day. Many stores close by 6PM.

Fun time walking around the sponge docks and the main strip. So many things to see and do. Easy to lose track of time spending time here.

Unfortunately we hit it too early. You can also take excursions and fishing boats. Nice walking village. Take a drive into it, you will be surprised how pretty some areas are.

Very cool place, had no idea how important the sponge industry is .Cute little shops with plenty of sponges to choose from. Great places to eat especially if you like Greek food. too. Lots of history!

Nice area to walk around and pick up some good items. The stores have some nice choices. The restaurants are really good, Greek food at its best.

We went to the "factory" and watched the interesting short film on sponge diving. I was highly impressed. It was also very interesting to see the men at work at the dock.

This town was beautiful, lots of shops , restaurants , things to do
Mostly all greek food , easy to find parking .

It was amazing to see all the sponges. To see how we get them and where they come from. It's a learning experience for young and old alike. Great place to take a stroll with the family and spend some quality time together.

We love going to tarpon the atmosphere is so relaxing and the people are very nice an absolute great place to hang out,shop and eat and take a ferry ride

There’s a lot of history here in Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. It was fun for us to peruse the streets and meet a lot of the Greek locals whose ancestors immigrated and cultivated sponges for their livelihood. The streets were lined with little shops, some with music, many selling sponges and touristy knickknacks, but the entire area exuded ocean spirit that we found quite refreshing for an afternoon stroll. For dining, the choices were overwhelming. Many restaurants specialized in seafood, and many others – particularly a few streets away from the bay – in traditional Greek meals. Next time we come, we’ll be sure to visit one of them. Sure, there were a lot of people in town, but it comes with the territory. As Mark Twain and Cherry Wonderdog once commented on a riverboat crossing the Mississippi River – according to the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, later captured in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, “If it weren’t special, there would be no one.”

This is a must see anytime you're in the Tampa area. From the great restaurants and shop to boat tours and i seen a fishing experience to go fishing this place rocks. to see greek history at its finest and learn all about local history. The restaurant's are some of the finest you will ever dine at. You want sponges i mean real ones there everywhere and cheap plus all the great nik nack shops this place has everything . I highly recommend a visit .

We went to the sponge docks while in tarpon springs. All was very interesting. There are a lot of cheesy type souvenir shops but also some nice finds. Soap shops are great!! It seemed very safe and friendly.

The Sponge Docks are a big attraction in Tarpon Springs. Although we did not see any of the sponges being off loaded, the boats are easily seen tied to the docks. There are countless shops, restaurants (mostly Greek of course) and various boat/sight seeing tours available. Ice cream, bars and music are mixed in as well. Lots of sponges and sponge products for sale.

It is always nice to make a stop and visit the local culture scene. Here is another one of those. Nothing fancy, but definitely a fun little stop. Check our the local cuisine and be sure to check out the "smelly" sponges that are hanging at the docks.

Lots of shops for shopping. We went in afternoon it was quite busy and this was after a morning of pouring rain. Nice place to just go and take a stroll and shop st the same. Very layed back and relaxing.

been going for years every time i go stay in Fla, helps that my wife is a greek and its been forever a greek area, every restaurant weve been to is excellent, wife loves the shops, parking sometimes not easy, but keep driving around, you'll find a spot. miss the aquarium, now on pinellas ave.

My Family and I have been visiting Tarpon Springs for the past 30 years. Hellas Bakery is a must stop. Delicious Authentic Greek food Dining throughout. You must Stop in to Boutique Antonia's & Gifts. They have Authentic Greek merchandise. Love Stacey & Barbara they were so very helpful and just down to earth. This is now our favorite shop at the Sponge docks in Tarpon. Stop in and Say Hi to these Ladies and pick up some Authentic Greek Gifts .They even Have Wine from Greece. Get the full experience.

We really enjoyed the Tour,Bought Sponges for everyone and bought a lot of Gifts.These Sponges never goes bad.After Shower just squeeze them and dont Twist it and it is Anti Bacterial.I love to support local Business and just a quiet place and fun place to visit and the Resturants were Fantastic including Mekonos.

I grew up a little north of here and we used take our family boat out on the Gulf and travel south to Anclote Island and the Anclote river which leads into the sponge docks in Tarpon. One morning we were out early and came upon a group of the tour boats dumping sponges overboard that their divers would then "harvest" for tourists later in the day. No harm in a little white lie I guess. At one time sponges really were abundant in the local waters, but that was a long, long time ago. I still take friends there to visit on occasion. It is fun to hear the barkers yelling at people to purchase the "authentic" sponge diving tours, especially since we discovered the secret of the eternal "harvest!"

A wonderful Greek neighborhood area to walk and explore. Being on the water makes for an enjoyable afternoon or evening. Plenty of shops all around this area. Jewelry, wine, spices, gifts, and yes sponges. Many restaurants to pick from as well. Tour boats to plan excursions. Very much enjoyed this area. Will visit again!

Do not miss the Sponge Docks for good food, shopping for local soaps and a boat ride to view dolphins and hunt for shells. It's the touristy part of town but full of Greek flavor and ambiance.

We spent the day in Tarpon Springs at the sponge docks. First an Odyssey Cruise to island for sea shells and dolphins. Then, shopping in all the little shops (a bit touristy, but fun) and finally diner at Hellas. Fun day highly recommend a visit here for a break from Disney and a taste of old Florida!

This may be the closest you come to Greek in the USA. They serve Gyro's, they have white buildings with blue colors just like on Santorini. There are sponges of many kinds, and a number of historic touches. More importantly, they have hustles. The hustlers will have you on a boat trip before you can spell No. They will have to eat gyros you did not know you wanted. And they will make you walk home with a smile on your face, food in your belly and the realisation that this is the closest you come to Greece in the USA.
Emerge yourself in the hustle, the bustle and soak up the energy.

Have a friend that lived here and said we should visit on our Florida trip. Wasn't Universal Studios but was fun and informative. Enjoyed the day street walking thru the shops and learning the history of the city. Highest percent of Greek population of any US city. Town folks are fun and chatty.

Been here in the past, an awesome place to visit. Many shops, stores, restaurants and bars. We love to go there to buy the soaps that are handmade. Many great sites, many family owned businesses which we like to support.

A visit to Tarpon Springs, FL is a worthwhile experience. We started with some sightseeing down town. We visited the Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and The Heritage Museum showcasing the art of Christopher Still and the history of sponging and Greek migration to the locale. We particularly enjoyed our tour of the historic Safford House which once belonged to Governor Safford. Debbie was an excellent docent as she patiently detailed the story of this prominent family - both the governor and his sister who was a trailblazer for women. The Springs Bayou is very pretty and we engaged in a scavenger hunt to identify the Victorian period homes bordering the bayou. Later we walked along the waterfront Dodecanese Boulevard at the Sponge Docks, shopping and dining. We ate at the Hellas Restaurant where the experience was truly OPA; loved the bakery too.. It was a pleasant walk and we treated ourselves to salt water taffies and goat milk soaps etc. A very nice outing indeed.
Note the museum closes at 3pm so it may be best to start with the downtown sightseeing first as we did. However we missed the boat tour which is really a re-enactment of the sponge diving experience.

I visited the docks again this year as it provides the sensories of a fishing town. We ate at Rusty Bellies, bought some aloe soap, jewelry and postcards. A great stop if it's your first time or if your killing time.

Tarpon Springs is a quaint town (city) that was founded in the late 1880's - then emerged as the single source of quality sponges - an item that became high demand. Largely settled by Greeks the community is filled with museums, art galleries, antique shops, and fine restraunts. Victorian architecture mingles very well with more modern buildings and shopping centers. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and be prepared to take lots of photos. - Yes, there are a few "Tourist shops," but that is balanced out with very friendly, no pressure shopping experiance.

It’s a fun place to wander around and look at the shops and check out the restaurants and breweries. Amazing Greek food, lots to see and do. Enjoy the day with friends and family take lots of pictures and wear comfortable shoes.

The docks themselves were very clean with restrooms. The docks are located directly in downtown Tarpon Springs with lots of quaint shops to shop in or just window shop. It also has many restaurants to chose from.You could take a dolphin cruise and afterward, shop to your heart's content.

It was very interesting seeing the sponge boats and learning about the sponges. The shops were fun and there are many options for dining. We went late evening, and it got dark very quickly so I would definitely go back earlier in the day to take it all in. Had an amazing dinner at the end of the dock at a place called the Rusty Bellies.

You can spend just a few minutes or several hours. Nice walk along the docks, good souvenir and sponge shopping and great Greek restaurants

We've been here many times over the years and always enjoy the experience. It's a great way to spend the afternoon browsing the little shops then enjoy one of the very good restaurants for lunch. Enjoy!

We visited Tarpon Springs to check out the Sponge Docks, walk around downtown, do some tourist shopping, etc. The sponge docks are pretty interesting to just walk around and take it all in. Not a ton there to do, but definitely interesting to see at least once. Those drying sponges smell - PEE-U ! Would like to go back and take a boat tour.

This is a must go to place to visit, full of charm and character, a little Greece in the heart of Florida, also some great finds to buy.
We especially love the goats milk soap, and purchase quite a bit whilst there.

Visited Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks on a Monday afternoon. Interesting and many stores and restaurants. The restaurant we wanted to go to was closed on Mondays. The people are very friendly

My cruise was great until an obnoxious passenger refused to follow safety protocol and listen to the safety announcements for about three minutes. The crew worked hard to keep us safe and she was raising her voice and disrupting the other passengers. This passenger was abusive to the guide as well as other passengers. She refused to listen. Thanks to the crew for putting up with her and working hard to keep us all safe. I wouldn't have thought they were in the wrong if they would have kicked her off of the boat. Her child was with 3 other adults pestering them and she was fifteen feet from child. If I wasn't as patient as the captain is she would be banned from the boat. She ruined a great trip for me and my wife.
If I ever get the chance to go back I would like to, the naturalist and guide Rick gave an excellent overview of the local flora and fauna from what we were able to gather I wish I could hear the rest of what he had to say. Besides the problem passenger, the island was beautiful and the boat was clean. Lots of shells to be had.

There are wonderful little shops along the sponge dock avenue and statues honoring the sponge divers and plenty of photo opportunities. I visited here when I was a little girl and not much ahs changes - it was a pleasure coming back to visit!!!

Cool place to hang out and learn about greek history and sponge farming. This little town is so cute and the docks are just alittle piece of them. So much to learn on the docks and alot of excursions to take! Enjoy some of your day therel

We visited Tarpon Springs on a recent trip to Florida. Tarpon Springs is a very cute historic village where natural sponges have been harvested for many decades. The town also has a significant Greek population, and as a result there are many Greek restaurants in the area. We had fun walking the streets and seeing the abundance of natural sponges.

Overall, though, there is not a lot to see and do. The village mostly consists of restaurants and gift shops. There is supposedly a "sponge museum", but it mostly consisted of a few small displays on the wall of gift shop.

Still, we had a fun time visiting Tarpon Springs, and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a cute coastal village to visit in Florida.

We took our visiting from Minnesota friends to see Tarpon Springs. We went there on a Saturday so it was very busy to say the least.
Paul & Patty (visiting friends) had never been to Tarpon Springs so it was a delightful experience for them. Shops, boats, restaurants, sponges (of course) and lots of hustle/bustle of people along the dock, sidewalks and shops.

This little town including Sponge Docks is a great place, very authentic greek style, recommended for a visit for sure. There are actual greeks living there, so the food is pretty authentic as well.

Tom's visiting relatives loved Tarpon Springs...the Sponge Docks, the shopping, seeing the water and boats. What a delightful town.
Tarpon Springs is 96 miles from our home in Ocala so it's an easy drive there to enjoy all there is to offer.

Visited Tarpon Springs and found the dock area a little touristy. There are tons of shop and some very good restaurants but not really much left from the sponge era. We much preferred Craig Park with its beautiful bayou and historical homes.

It's a fun town to walk round. Nice restaurants, many shops, and the sponge docks. Look for free street parking. Great Greek food.

The area is very touristy but has a unique bend to it - Greek and sponges!
Lots of great Greek food and shops and lots and lots of sponges!
Stroll around, look at the boats, have Greek food for lunch and even take a boat ride!
Fun way to spend a day!

We wandered the streets, taking in the sponge industry and remnants of a bygone era. The little shops, Greek food, and boat trips were everywhere. We had never done a boat tour, so we did this time. It was uneventful, but pleasant. We have to go to this area everytime we're in the Clearwater vicinity. I recommend that you do too. It's well worth a few hours of your time.

Cute shops souvenirs and authentic Greek fare real sponges, sandals and things you would find in a little village
Many restaurants and a museum
Very cute little town

This was our first visit to the sponge docks and we were not impressed or excited. Only one boat with a man washing down a handful of sponges. I guess we expected to see a bustling little “port” with activity, energy and people. (We were there on a Wednesday at noon). No one said hi- no laughter along the street. Shops were what we expected- souvenir filled and fun to look at!

We ate at Hellas and did not have a great experience-please read my other post for details.

Friendly shop and restaurant owners. Would come again. Loved the Greek bakeries/gyros. Nice day trip. Pick up some picnic items for watching sunset at Sunset or Fred Howard beach after enjoying the little town.

What a refreshing community the sponge docks area of Tarpon Springs is. You will find a canal lined with fishing boats, sponge boats, and touring boats. Restaurants, especially Rusty Bellies, have their own fishing boats and you can eat the day’s catch! Take a stroll along the sidewalk or shop all day. Simply enjoyable!

We walked along the docks and saw lots of Sponge boats. Some had descriptions and information about sponge fishing in Florida. We wandered in and out of sponge shops, We saw a short film about the different types of sponges and their uses. Interesting!

A very unique place to visit. Start by viewing the short film at the first building on the left . It shows how sponges are harvested. There is a shop that sells only sponges and soap which carries many different scents (makes a nice gift). An excellent restaurant near the end of the block with blue and white decor. The food is good as is the sangria.. They also have an adjoining bakery with many selections. Great one day trip!

Learned a lot about sponging. Staff very helpful and informative. Something different to buy as a take home from the vacation that is useful and has a great story to share.

What a lovely afternoon spent in this Greek village. Great food and nice shopping. Boat rides available. Parking is reasonable & you can find free parking if you look.

I am almost 50 and have been visiting the Sponge Docks since I was age 4. It has great restaurants, souvenir shops, and you can go out on short boat rides.

We had time to spare until we could check into our hotel in Clearwater. We had Greek food for lunch and enjoyed seeing the boats with the sponges. Shops cute but yes they have pretty much the same items. We enjoyed our time there though.

We love going to the sponge docks while we are in town. We go to the shops and walk along the dock. We visit here each year. We took the Odyssey Cruise this year. It was great. We love visiting here.

Shops are great for souvenirs, postcards and T-shirts. Also ate at a small restaurant called Mama's. Great food. Nice to walk through. Has boat trips to see dolphins and how they dive for sponges. Also have bakeries to by Greek desserts.

Great place to go for a day trip. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and Greek restaurants along the waterfront. Great for families and pet friendly as well. It’s best to call each restaurant individually to check their pet policy. Especially enjoyed the aquarium. Inclement weather prevented us from doing a boating excursion, so can’t wait to try that on our next visit. Looking forward to visiting the aquarium again when their new location opens in 2020.

My husband, son and I came here for a little getaway after Christmas. It was nice to stroll and look in all the shops and tons of restaurants to choose from! We took a boat cruise to a little island and see the lighthouse and we got some really nice photos. We were also fortunate to see dolphin several times which was so exciting! It was nice to be around fellow Greeks again!

There are so many uses for sponges. We were able to get deals on homemade soaps and some with sea sponges added. The owners of shops very nice. Beautiful harbor. I will go back

We visited Tarpon Springs recently to see the sponge docks, enjoy some Greek food, and take a boat trip. It is obvious that the local government has made some investments to make this area pleasant and inviting. New lamp posts and sidewalks, a gazebo with a fountain and sculpture... The West end of Dodecanese Boulevard is quaint; the East end would benefit from investment from the property owners to update the appearance of their businesses. Needs some imagination and allure...

Always take friends and relatives to this spot when they are visiting from out if town. Great shops and good food too.

We visited Tarpon for the first time and loved the sponge docks. The docks are on what appeared to be a canal. Many small boats were tied up there.
1 - 2 hour cruises are available. There are plenty of benches on the dock making it easy to people watch.

Came here for the afternoon to explore with my boyfriend. Was fun but is very repetitive! We loved seeing all the different sponges and the boats used to get them. There’s good tourist shops but they all sell a lot of the same stuff, so you get a bit tired of shopping. If you don’t like tourist shops then don’t come here to do your shopping. We didn’t try any of the restaurants but they seemed good! There’s a lot of Greek options around as well.

We spent most of the day shopping, eating, and listening to live music by the docks. The street is lined with little shops and authentic Greek restaurants. You can buy sponges harvested out of the waters near Tarpon Springs and take home fresh seafood from the fish market. We had a great time, we will be back before heading home.

This was a very educational place to visit. The family enjoyed learning the history of the area and the science of the sponge industry. It's a nice street to stroll down with plenty of shops and photo opportunities. There were a TON of cheap sea excursions too--dolphin cruises, sponge tours, etc. We are beach people so we did not partake. My kiddos were ready to leave after about 2 hours. So we left there and went to Sunset Beach. Also a great place!

Nice little trip. Some cute shops. Some a little different than what you can find elsewhere. We took the Sponge Boat trip. Short and interesting. A good idea to get a feel for the area. Ate at Hella's Restaurant. It was good. Wish I was hungrier at the time. Didn't have room for the good looking desserts or baked goods.

Just remnants of sponge diving from 50 years ago. The area has numerous gift shoppes and restaurants. A few bakeries as well.

We always enjoy a stop off in Tarpon Springs at the sponge docks. It is a nice change of scenery from the usual beach attractions. It is a must stop everytime we are in the area.

We walked around a few shops, learned about sponges, and took an Odyssey Cruise. It was awesome.
Public restrooms are right across from Hella’s and right next to Odyssey Cruises.

Glad I finally visited Tarpon Springs and saw the sponge docks, but honestly there’s not much to see or do. Definitely does not take more than half a day. You can see a few sponge boats at the dock, learn a little history, buy natural sponges, and snap a few photos at few “Kodak moment” type spots. There are a variety of other shops to peruse. The Greek culture and food, seafood restaurants, and walking along the waterfront location are what we enjoyed. Highly recommend eating at Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill if you’re a seafood lover!

Tarpon Springs is a must visit. The town is of Greek origin as Greeks settled here to dive for sponges. The streets are lined with Greek restaurants. The sponge boat trip is only $15 and is very informative of the history of sponge diving.

Great afternoon stroll through the stores. Had some yummy Greek food, bought some sponges, took an afternoon boat ride. Loved every minute of it.

Went to this area which is known as the sponge capital of the world. History lesson learned they have boat tours explaining the Tarpon Spring history which is interesting. We did not take the tour but one of the guides told us a little about the area and how it was founded etc.

The place is filled with many things to do including a free wine tasting. Lots of stores, and many places to choose for something to eat

Nice old Florida attraction area. Lots of shops and inexpensive boat rides. There was a small arts and crafts fest when we went and I got lots of Christmas shopping done.
I would definitely recommend for a weekend or day trip.

Everywhere you look you see authenticity. Boats are actual working boats and the feel of the whole village was like you had travelled abroad. So nice to walk the streets and enjoy !

If you are somehow connected to Greece or the Aegean Sea, it is a must to see during your visit to Tampa or any other nearby location of Florida. You can enjoy a walk on Dodecanese Blvd, and enjoy the historic sponge docks with many gift shops and Greek Restaurants. I would recommend also to purchase natural sponges as well as other gifts.

Always a fun day walking around the Sponge Docks. So many interesting shops, just a relaxing way to enjoy a not so sunny day. Also, enjoy the greek restaurant, and take some pastries to go.

This location is clean and easily traveled on foot. Pay to park runs $5 and there is a lot. This area is full of stores, restaurants, cruises, bakeries, brewery and a aquarium at the end. Food there I have tried is all very good. Prices are online for tourist / locals area. The sponge capital with every size, shape and even some colors. This is a nice way to spend sunny day. Worth investigating and if Greek food your thing a must.

Your out of town guests will love visiting the sponge docks and learning all about sponge divers. We love to visit here about every two months to enjoy the beauty of Tarpon Springs.

Was driving along the coast and stopped in Tarpon Springs. It was pretty coos walking the main street and going into all of the stores. The sponges are pretty amazing! There are lots of really good Greek restaurants and some waterfront bars to hang out and have a few drinks.

IT was a nice and relaxing few hours!

Interesting walk and sightseeing at the docks. Shops are open. Sponges are for sale. On the boat dock some of the sponge diver boats were docked. Other sponge boats were absent, apparently out in the Gulf with their divers. As to which of the sponge boats will be at the dock, it's hit or miss. The boats go out for days at a time and on no regular schedule. I was not lucky enough to catch an arriving sponge boat unloading its sponges. Very interesting, though.

The sponge docks had a very friendly atmosphere. Everyone in the shops were kind and helpful. We stopped and had lunch at Mama’s, there is many choices for great Greek food.

You can learn the history of sponge diving and see all the different kinds of sponges. The town tends to be very touristy with one shop after another but you can get a wonderful Greek meal very reasonably priced and tasty pasteries. Be sure to eat and drink at Mama's while you are there.

Unique experience, wish I would have known what time the boats come in as I think it would have added to the experience

I visited here 2 years ago and it was nice.
Visited again this weekend and it was so much better. My family loved all the shops and food and cuban cigars.
So much for everyone and so many great stores.
A great family vacation spot.

This scares me: We read that ABC Action News Anchor Wendy Ryan uncovered a server at a Hellas Restaurant and Bakery in Tarpon Springs tested positive for ABC Action News Anchor Wendy Ryan uncovered a server at a Hellas Restaurant and Bakery in Tarpon Springs tested positive for Hepatitis A in March, but local health officials never told the public. in March, but local health officials never told the public.

My wife enjoyed spending the afternoon exploring the sponge docks and all the curiosity shops in the area.The docks offer multiple companies offering sight seeing cruise. There are also a number of restaurants of Greek food. Dress for the weather as there is little shade, if you go in summer. It a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Interesting but a little worn looking. Lots of restaurants. I’ve been to Greece in April 2023, and was hoping to relive some of the experience.

We enjoyed eating at Hellas and walking around to the shops. We didn’t really see the sponge boats along the water. We also enjoyed the Tarpon Spring Heritage museum. This is about a mile from the sponge docks. I enjoyed walking over and seeing all of the historic homes. There a lot of them with many near the museum.

Perfect day trip from Okala. I felt like I was transported to old world Greece. Small shops, bakeries, and Greek restaurants line the streets with their owners beckoning customers from the doorways. We took a boat cruise into the Gulf to s small island for a 30 minute shelling trip. Delightful day for the whole family.

We live in the area and wanted to check it out.
There shops mostly ask the same thing, just at different price points.
Good exercise at a walkig pace.
The Fudge Factory--watch a guy make the fudge!
Get a tattoo!
There's a $10/person boat tour and one for $19/person that lasts about twice as long. We'll try the $10 one next time.
If you're looking for some sponges, free movies of the Dock's history, fudge, goat milk soap, Jolly Trolley rides in the area--this is a family- friendly excursion that can easily kill three+ hours.

This place is extremely fun and family-friendly. For a day trip, there is plenty to see, kitschy shopping venues, the Sponge Factory and museum, and delightful boat tours with dolphin spotting and time collecting shells on the beach. The Greek food there is second to none and baked goods are out of this world. Take the family or just go as a couple but don't leave without buying a few sponges and goat's milk soap. You won't be sorry.

Hawkers are the people that pass by and offer you coupons to eat at one of their restaurants or to take a boat trip. It’s not aggressive but can be annoying. This seems to be a “cigar friendly” area and I noticed a few cigar shops and people strolling along smoking cigars. Also ice cream shops are prevalent and will aid in your stroll. Eat at one of the restaurants (recommend Hellas) or hit a bar. Or buy some shells or souvenirs at the little shops along the road.

The best Greek food you can find in all of Florida is in Tarpon Springs. The sponge docks are really fun with lots of cute shops for families to go into where you can buy real natural sponges & shells. The food is great, but the people who run the shops are super friendly and helpful.

Nestled along the river, there are dozens of shops and restaurants. The shops seem to sell mostly sponges, homemade soaps and beachy/nautical items. The restaurants are mostly Greek food! We tried Costa’s on Athens Street and absolutely loved it! It has rained all day when we went in the late afternoon, so there were few tourists, we basically had the docks to ourselves which was pleasant. The Greek pastry shoos are not to be missed! The most difficult thing here is picking out a Greek pastry!

Just minutes north of Clearwater, on the Anclote River, lies the quaint burg of Tarpon Springs and it's historic and visitor-drawing Sponge Docks. As I strolled Dodecanese Boulevard, I witnessed docked sponge boats blanketed in oceanic nets, diving paraphernalia scattered around the deck, and with small mountains of the days sponge haul, strewn 'mumbo jumbo' throughout the ship being sorted and cleaned by the crew. The surrounding area is dotted with shops selling sea sponges, shells, souvenirs, oceanic trinkets, tours, and as well, clusters of restaurants/bakeries dolling out authentic Greek cuisine, some of international renown.

Everything is sponge here, as this aquatic invertebrate with its soft porous body is sort of an area mascot. There are big ones, small ones, some the size of your head, but the one I am most familiar with is the one I use to wash my car. I have been enthralled with how sponge divers "do their thing' ever since 1952, when I viewed 'Beneath the 12-Mile Reef' , a movie set among the sponge-diving Greek colony at Tarpon Springs. Now I can see the real McCoy by taking advantage of the St. Nicholas Sponge Diving Trip. My passage on this replica classic Mediterranean designed vessel streamed down the Anclote River to the sponge-ladened sea bottom. It was amazing to see a diver dawn almost 200 lbs. of traditional diving gear, including helmet, breast plate, boots and body weights.The diver, erect on the deck, looked like an elongated R2D2 Stars Wars figure. He plunged over the side of the boat connected to an air hose, (as if it was an umbilical cord), to gather sponges.
This was an exciting excursion.

I enjoyed my DIY walking tour around this fishing and boating spot and stumbled upon Craig Park on Spring Bayou, the location for the famous Greek Epiphany Celebration.
My timing was psychic as Jan. 6th marks the Epiphany with festivities representing the baptism of Christ in the Greek Orthodox religion. The day starts with the blessing of the Fleet, followed by the highlight event where young men,18 and under, dive for a cross thrown into the cold water by a priest. The participant who comes up with the cross is assured a blessed year. The water was way too cold for me.... but I could have used the blessing. This was a rollicking, frolicking event ....a good time had by all.

Strolling down Dodecanese, the main thoroughfare, I was bombarded by shops and restaurants deeply steeped in Greek culture, a great visitor draw and a bit of a tourist trap. I couldn't pass up a lunch Souvlaki and a tempting Greek pastry snack at Hellas Restaurant. For dinner; however, I gorged at Mama's (with a name like Mama's, how can you go wrong) with Pickled Octopus
There was such a bevy of curio shops, mostly stacking sponges and sponge-inspired items ......how about a sponge cowboy hat....indispensable when your on a horse in the rain.... or a large Trump figurine.......made out of fake sponges. I picked up a T-shirt embossed with the quip: 'Sponge Your Life Away' along with a large colourful seashell that I'll try to pass off as a Chihuly piece.

Lots of boat tours, cruises and fishing charters......to be expected in the Sponge Capital of the World. The Tarpon Springs Aquarium is a cool place with the usual marine creatures and a surprising 200 lb. Goliath Grouper....you could feed an army with this one.

So, if your in the mood for a seaside attraction that encompasses a charming village that is supported by the fruits of the sea...then try .....Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks...
......Live The Grecian Lifestyle.

My family and I stayed in Holiday for a week recently. We visit Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks on two occasions. The first time was at 6pm on a Sunday. Most of the stores were already closed. We returned on Thursday at 3pm. The shops were so fun to explore! My children all found several items to purchase. A special shout out to Gloria’s and Jays Treasures! We had great service in both of these places. We didn’t eat while we were there but I would definitely make time for it in the future. The sponge boats are fun to look at. And you can also take dolphin cruises from here. Definitely worth your time!

I thought this place would have more about the history of the Sponge Docks, but it's mostly shops and restaurants with a few places to take boat tours. Don't get me wrong, we still had a great time, and it was very scenic, but it's definitely a tourist trap. It's free to enter but you have to pay to park.

Tom, his sister Deb from California and niece Jess from California are of Greek heritage so Tarpon Springs has special meaning to them.
Tarpon Springs, The Sponge Docks, the shops and restaurants nearby are delightful to visit under Florida's blue sky.

There really wasn’t anything of interest. The stores are repetitive. The people selling there wears were pushy. I will be ok w not returning.

Enjoy walking through all the shops. Parking was a little difficult be pay parking was available.
Recommend eating at Hellas Greek Restaurant.
Many sponges to select from in almost every store.

We went here thinking it was going to be more of a nature excursion. It is mostly shopping and food.

The town of Tarpon Springs where Sponge Docks are located is a great getaway. We traveled from central Florida and it was only 90 minutes away. It was fun to dive into the Greek culture a short drive from home. I also reviewed a few of the places we went too so check out my other reviews of the area.

Spent part of a day walking the sponge docks. There are gift and clothing stores to browse.. The sponge factory is an interesting place to visit. Many small places to eat and you can sit out and enjoy the atmosphere.

Go to place to take visiting family and friends!or whenever you and your besty just need to stroll around and catch up on things!

This was a quaint place and very beautiful! It was funny because the shop owners and restaurants would holler at you as you walked by to try and grab your attention with Dolphin tours and daily specials. The candy shop is awesome! So many wonderful options and not super pricey like most candy stores. The shops for the most part were very affordable with lots of hand made options too.

Absolutely wonderful Place to visit great restaurants, great shops lots of fun things to do. I would recommend this day trip if you're in the area.

Took this boat excursion yesterday with 3 friends . HIGHLY RECOMMEND- history of sponge diving - hour trip We would definitely go again

So cool to see the boats with all the sponges. One even shared a name with my daughter. Very relaxing space.

Always a great place to visit on a sunny day. Area is well-maintained, clean, picturesque. And the food in the immediate surroundings is excellent.

It's cute and cheesy, but a fun walk around with the family. Go to Hella's for pastries!! Try to be there for one of the parades.

The Sponge docks are still worth a visit. The food and people are still great. Yes, the tourist aspect is ever present, but it is a great walking and food destination

Different Greek food restaurants . Food was good. As far as everything else. Average shops with the same t shirts and items. Website makes things a lot better then it is. Example cigar place makes it sound like a good selection and lounge. It was a guy rolling. About 10 cigars to choose from. The lounge lol 4 tiny round outdoor tables wit metal chairs.

The Tarpon Springs sponge docks and downtown area is a quaint walk with shops, restaurants and waterfront views. Many Greek influenced merchants.

This is a unique cultural experience! It was fascinating to learn about and discover. Worth a trip to walk the area, eat, and shop. There are also several similar shops and eateries so if you miss one there is another one waiting.

This was my third visit to the sponge docks. I just love it. The atmosphere is what I imagine "old" Florida was like for tourists. You can stroll through gift shops, take some pictures, eat a Greek or other meal, and if you want take an excursion. On this trip we did not take any boat excursions just went through the shops, took pictures and enjoyed a meal at Hellas's. I will review Hella's separately. I just love all of the stores selling soap and other goods. There is a good variety of what you can purchase in the many shops. This time we did not go into the sponge store which shows the free video. If you have never been you should go see the video very interesting. We spent half a day just goofing off...it is a very relaxing place even tho busy.

We were so hoping to see the working sponge boats and we were not disappointed Two of the boats must have gone out early because they were back in dock loaded with harvest before noon. There is a free movie about the industry at the Sponge Factory. If you never knew about sponge diving, it is a good idea to take 10 minutes in air conditioned comfort and watch the show. In the near vicinity of the sponge docks you can enjoy Greek food, Greek bakeries, all kinds of knick knack stores, tourist boats, and a general tourist feel. .

I hadn't been to Tarpon Springs since the late 1950's. A nice area to visit to see the boats decked with sponges. Lots of shops and places to eat.

I went with my children mid-day on a Thursday. We parked for free in the shade at the Tarpon Springs Dog Park off of Live Oak Street, just blocks away from the main Dodecanese Blvd. that leads to the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. The shops were mostly selling similar items. The highlight was that the street scapes and walkways were designed uniquely and there were plenty of places to stop and eat. We bought some baklava to go from the National Bakery and it was outstanding. We spent about an hour in the area, but the vibes weren't good. I remember wafts of cigarette smoke and leathered people as we passed on the sidewalk. My 11-year-old remarked later that his take-away-from the day was the lady sitting eating Funyuns outside the cannabis store. As we were leaving the area, we were approached out of nowhere by a young, skinny man who asked way too many personal questions about our family and literally in front of me propositioned my teen to come back to his apartment for some social media activities. The light to cross the street on N. Pinellas Ave. back to our car didn't come soon enough and we were all relieved he left us. This was certainly a low-scale experience and not worthy of our time.

The sponge docks is a little Greek neighborhood with authentic food and eclectic shops. The original purpose was the sponge divers... most live sponges come from this little town.

Our little girl (9) loved it. My mom (old enough to be grandma!) loves it. Dumb Florida t-shirts. Fancy boutiques. Live music.

A lot to like.

Did a quick day trip from St Petersburg Beach. Enjoyed seeing the sponge docks. Lots of little shops & restaurants.

Greek food delicious
Had seafood with mussels and shrimp and Greek salad was outstanding. Enjoyed lunch with friends.

Many of the little shops are gone and replaced by parking. Authentic Greek restaurants, seafood restaurants and now a Mexican restaurant. Very crowded. Not as quaint as it used to be.

I loved the shops and nice place to walk by the docks and some nice Mediterranean food and Dessert options.

Helpful staff and a very cool vibe - we had a nice time and learned some stuff. Definitely a cool thing to see and a nice walk.

A great place to enjoy walking, Greek food and pastries
Craig park is also a nice little walk from the sponge docks if you enjoy walking around the area.

It's an interesting area, but parking is not inexpensive. The shops were disappointing; many have the same cheap touristy items. There's a restaurant on every block. Read the reviews and plan your trip carefully. This isn't a place to visit for just an hour.

Very nice. The gentleman was very helpful and informative. The parking was easy and the attendant was super friendly. Would recommend going there if you have the chance

The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks are located on Dodecanese Boulevard, a street with many Greek restaurants and shops. They tell the story behind the Greek population in Tarpon Springs.

Thoroughly enjoyed walking around and viewing something totally different than anyplace else. The sponge "community" was a very enjoyable day--before it got too busy. Go early, do your shopping, eat, and experience all you want before the crowds come!