The ancient name of the island was Aristera and is referred by Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias.

In 1962 the island was purchased by Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos.

[1] Spetsopoula is linked with the death of Eugenia Livanos, former wife of Stavros Niarchos.

Spetsopoula is often visited by people of high society, friends of Niarchos family.

As of 2024, Miro's Knot is in development to be made into a feature film.