The natural and memorable landscapes of Messinia with the endless shores, sandy beaches, wooded mountains and fertile valleys, coexists with vital archaeologic monuments. Kalamata is Messinia’s capital and also the second-largest town within the peninsula. Additionally it’s the central port of Messinia and is found at the location of ancient Farai. Following independence from the Turks and because of the exploitation of the fertile Messinian lands (producing olive oil, raisins, figs etc), it developed into a rich urban center and a major port.
Kalamata city takes its fashionable name from a miracle known icon of Blessed Virgin Mary referred to as “kalo mata”. It had been discovered within the stables of the Ottoman governor, who became Christian as a result of the miracles it had been believed to have performed. The icon currently resides within the city’s big sized cathedral, the Church of Ypapanti. Below the castle is the little yet appealing old town, which was completely wrecked by the Turks throughout the War of Independence, restored by French architects in the 1830s, then levelled once more by an earthquake in 1986. A beautiful weekday and Saturday market simply to the west of the old city sells many different Kalamata and local products.
Kalamata was occupied by the Ottomans from 1481 to 1685, just like the remaining of Greece. The Venetian Republic dominated Kalamata from 1685 as a part of the “Kingdom of the Morias”. Throughout the Venetian occupation the town was fortified, developed and thrived economically. However, the Ottomans reoccupied Kalamata within the war of 1715 and controlled it till the Greek War of Independence.
Kalamata was the primary town to be liberated within the Greek War of Independence. On twenty three of March 1821, it had been taken by the Greek revolutionary forces under the command of generals Theodoros Kolokotronis, Petros Mavromichalis and Papaflessas. However, in 1825, the invasive Abraham pasha destroyed the town. In independent Greece, Kalamata was restored and became one amongst the foremost vital ports within the Mediterranean Sea. it’s not shocking that the second-oldest Chamber of Commerce within the Mediterranean, after that of Marseille, exists in Kalamata.
During World War II on twenty nine of April 1941, a battle was fought close to the port between the invasive German forces and also the second New Zealand Division, where Jack Hinton was later awarded the Victoria Cross. After World War II, and because of political problems, Kalamata, furthermore as most of the peninsula, was excluded from the government’s development plans in favour of north Greece. That was a serious brake on the native economy, leading to the decline of the port. Throughout the Seventies and Eighties, development and growth in Kalamata were unknown.
Kalamata city was once more within the news on thirteen September 1986, with an earthquake that measured 6.2 on magnitude scale. It had been described as “moderately strong” and caused significant harm killing twenty people and ruining the town. Following this severe damage, the native authorities and people strained their money resources to bring a wind of change to the forgotten capital of Messinia. Because of these efforts, Kalamata has currently totally recovered and developed into a contemporary urban center. Today, Kalamata has the second largest population and mercantile activity in peninsula. It makes necessary exports, notably of native products like raisins, olives and oil. It’s additionally the seat of the Metropolitan Bishop of Messinia Chrysostomus III, since fifteen March 2007.
Local specialities:
Kalamata olive, Lalagia, Diples, Pasteli, Talagani, Sfela, Feta and plenty of others! Kalamata produces a number of the healthiest and most tasty foods and products in Greece. First of all, its extra virgin oil (P.D.O “Kalamata”), similarly as it’s virgin olive oil and also the Kalamata olives are world known for their quality. Also top quality figs and delicious raisins dried naturally and consumed throughout the year are produced here. Visitors may additionally taste wine, ouzo and different spirits made by a number of the oldest distilleries in Greece. A type of salty cheese called “sfela”, the proper companion of traditional “lalagia”, is sort of completely produced here. As far as sweets are concerned, don’t forget to taste the “pasteli”, a product of honey and sesame, the sweet homemade “kompostes” and also the “diples” covered with honey. As a souvenir from Kalamata city, don’t forget to shop it’s world famed silk handkerchiefs and scarves!
There are various historical and cultural sights in Kalamata city, like the Villehardouin castle, the Ypapanti Byzantine Church, the monastery with its silk-weaving workshop where the famous Kalamata scarves are created, and also the municipal railway park. The Church of Agioi Apostoloi is where Mavromichalis declared the revolt against Ottoman rule in 1821. Art collections are housed at the Municipal Gallery, the archaeologic museum of Messinia and also the folk art museum.
More sights such as:
Benakeion archaeologic museum of Kalamata, located within the heart of the historical center of Kalamata, cultural events like Kalamata International Dance festival, Kalamata Castle from the thirteenth century AD, the marina and also the Port of Kalamata situated southwest of the town center is the main and largest port in Messinia and also the southern part of the Peloponnese. Kalamata National sports stadium that is home of Messiniakos and Kalamata and also has capacity for five thousand spectators, the Railway museum of Kalamata Municipality that first opened in 1986, ancient Messene around fifteen to twenty km north-west of modern Messini and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius is about two hours drive north from Kalamata city. There are plenty more sights around Municipality that worth visiting and seeing them!
Spring Breaks
Visitors who head to Kalamata between late March and May should expect to find clear skies and temperatures that hover between fifteen and twenty five degrees, making sightseeing pleasant and creating perfect walking conditions. It’s not uncommon for water temperatures to be warm enough for swimming throughout the early Spring also. The important Easter preparations that take place this time of year, where you see locals flooding the streets for the biggest celebration of Christianity. Next day is followed by music, dancing, eating and drinking as a tradition. By avoiding the summer rush, tourists should be able to find smart deals on flights and accommodation, making Spring a good season for budget travellers to visit Kalamata city.
Summer Sun
Sunscreen and shades are essential for a Summer visit to Kalamata, and the dry heat, which is possible to exceed 40 degrees, can feel stifling. If you intend to visit Kalamata at this time, don’t attempt to pack too much clothes into your trip. Arrange several of lazy beach days and make sure your hotel room or apartment is air conditioned. Greek holidaymakers flock here during the summer months, so you should expect crowded beaches so book your lodgings earlier as well.
Autumn and Winter in Kalamata
As the temperatures drop, also do the tourist numbers, and the early Autumn is a very pleasant time to visit Kalamata city. During September the waters are still warm enough for swimming, and you’ll have plenty of space for splashing into. Sightseeing becomes more comfortable as the heat becomes less oppressive, so October, November and forward are good times of the year to explore the mountains. During the Winter, there are fewer international flights to Kalamata, but it is always possible to fly in to Athens and take the transport through the beautiful newly created highway and inside the graphic villages along the way.
Reaching Kalamata is simple. The Messinian capital is 238 kilometers from Athens and accessible by every mean of transportation. There’s a daily Athens-Kalamata bus service, with frequent departures from the KTEL inter-city bus company in Athens, at Kifissos station. Kalamata’s KTEL station additionally runs regular services to the villages of Messinia and different cities within Peloponnisos. Kalamata is additionally connected to Thessaloniki by air with three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays). By sea, there’s a connection with Crete (Kasteli in Hania) and Kythera. Lastly from Peloponnisos train station in Athens there are daily train routes to Kalamata running via Patra city, while the local railway network also stops at numerous Messinian cities and villages. Kalamata’s modern marina permits the mooring of yachts and boats where you can walk amongst them and admire their luxury. From Kalamata you’ll be able to also reach Athens El. Venizelos airport and vice verca and additionally other airports as Thessaloniki and Heraklion. There are flights three times every week. Furthermore international flights are established directly to Kalamata city from plenty of European capitals!
Driving: You’ll be able to drive from Athens to Kalamata in about two hours twenty minutes on the National Road. Its not a bad drive and you will pass some attention-grabbing countryside. After all it’s a lot more interesting for the passenger than it’s for the driver who should keep his eye on the road in order to be alert for all the crazy things Greek drivers do. However even that may be amusing and if you’re a good driver you will not have any issues. Rent a Car
By bus: Coach services are operated by KTEL between Athens, Kalamata.
The trip lasts three hours to Kalamata. Ticket value is thirty five euros one-way and fifty five euros round-trip ticket.
You don’t have to pre-book for a price ticket. You’ll pay at the terminal, before bus departure or on the bus. If you’re there half an hour before departure you must find a seat. Find a Bus
By taxi: You’ll be able to rent or hire a taxi transfer from Athens directly to Kalamata city through the contact form and also you can arrange the price with the driver! This can be a simple solution if you don’t wish to drive all the way by yourself! Taxi Transfer
The natural and memorable landscapes of Messinia with the endless shores, sandy beaches, wooded mountains and fertile valleys, coexists with vital archaeologic monuments. Kalamata is Messinia’s capital and also the second-largest town within the peninsula. Additionally it’s the central port of Messinia and is found at the location of ancient Farai. Following independence from the Turks and because of the exploitation of the fertile Messinian lands (producing olive oil, raisins, figs etc), it developed into a rich urban center and a major port.
Kalamata city takes its fashionable name from a miracle known icon of Blessed Virgin Mary referred to as “kalo mata”. It had been discovered within the stables of the Ottoman governor, who became Christian as a result of the miracles it had been believed to have performed. The icon currently resides within the city’s big sized cathedral, the Church of Ypapanti. Below the castle is the little yet appealing old town, which was completely wrecked by the Turks throughout the War of Independence, restored by French architects in the 1830s, then levelled once more by an earthquake in 1986. A beautiful weekday and Saturday market simply to the west of the old city sells many different Kalamata and local products.
Kalamata was occupied by the Ottomans from 1481 to 1685, just like the remaining of Greece. The Venetian Republic dominated Kalamata from 1685 as a part of the “Kingdom of the Morias”. Throughout the Venetian occupation the town was fortified, developed and thrived economically. However, the Ottomans reoccupied Kalamata within the war of 1715 and controlled it till the Greek War of Independence.
Kalamata was the primary town to be liberated within the Greek War of Independence. On twenty three of March 1821, it had been taken by the Greek revolutionary forces under the command of generals Theodoros Kolokotronis, Petros Mavromichalis and Papaflessas. However, in 1825, the invasive Abraham pasha destroyed the town. In independent Greece, Kalamata was restored and became one amongst the foremost vital ports within the Mediterranean Sea. it’s not shocking that the second-oldest Chamber of Commerce within the Mediterranean, after that of Marseille, exists in Kalamata.
During World War II on twenty nine of April 1941, a battle was fought close to the port between the invasive German forces and also the second New Zealand Division, where Jack Hinton was later awarded the Victoria Cross. After World War II, and because of political problems, Kalamata, furthermore as most of the peninsula, was excluded from the government’s development plans in favour of north Greece. That was a serious brake on the native economy, leading to the decline of the port. Throughout the Seventies and Eighties, development and growth in Kalamata were unknown.
Kalamata city was once more within the news on thirteen September 1986, with an earthquake that measured 6.2 on magnitude scale. It had been described as “moderately strong” and caused significant harm killing twenty people and ruining the town. Following this severe damage, the native authorities and people strained their money resources to bring a wind of change to the forgotten capital of Messinia. Because of these efforts, Kalamata has currently totally recovered and developed into a contemporary urban center. Today, Kalamata has the second largest population and mercantile activity in peninsula. It makes necessary exports, notably of native products like raisins, olives and oil. It’s additionally the seat of the Metropolitan Bishop of Messinia Chrysostomus III, since fifteen March 2007.
Local specialities:
Kalamata olive, Lalagia, Diples, Pasteli, Talagani, Sfela, Feta and plenty of others! Kalamata produces a number of the healthiest and most tasty foods and products in Greece. First of all, its extra virgin oil (P.D.O “Kalamata”), similarly as it’s virgin olive oil and also the Kalamata olives are world known for their quality. Also top quality figs and delicious raisins dried naturally and consumed throughout the year are produced here. Visitors may additionally taste wine, ouzo and different spirits made by a number of the oldest distilleries in Greece. A type of salty cheese called “sfela”, the proper companion of traditional “lalagia”, is sort of completely produced here. As far as sweets are concerned, don’t forget to taste the “pasteli”, a product of honey and sesame, the sweet homemade “kompostes” and also the “diples” covered with honey. As a souvenir from Kalamata city, don’t forget to shop it’s world famed silk handkerchiefs and scarves!
There are various historical and cultural sights in Kalamata city, like the Villehardouin castle, the Ypapanti Byzantine Church, the monastery with its silk-weaving workshop where the famous Kalamata scarves are created, and also the municipal railway park. The Church of Agioi Apostoloi is where Mavromichalis declared the revolt against Ottoman rule in 1821. Art collections are housed at the Municipal Gallery, the archaeologic museum of Messinia and also the folk art museum.
More sights such as:
Benakeion archaeologic museum of Kalamata, located within the heart of the historical center of Kalamata, cultural events like Kalamata International Dance festival, Kalamata Castle from the thirteenth century AD, the marina and also the Port of Kalamata situated southwest of the town center is the main and largest port in Messinia and also the southern part of the Peloponnese. Kalamata National sports stadium that is home of Messiniakos and Kalamata and also has capacity for five thousand spectators, the Railway museum of Kalamata Municipality that first opened in 1986, ancient Messene around fifteen to twenty km north-west of modern Messini and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius is about two hours drive north from Kalamata city. There are plenty more sights around Municipality that worth visiting and seeing them!
Spring Breaks
Visitors who head to Kalamata between late March and May should expect to find clear skies and temperatures that hover between fifteen and twenty five degrees, making sightseeing pleasant and creating perfect walking conditions. It’s not uncommon for water temperatures to be warm enough for swimming throughout the early Spring also. The important Easter preparations that take place this time of year, where you see locals flooding the streets for the biggest celebration of Christianity. Next day is followed by music, dancing, eating and drinking as a tradition. By avoiding the summer rush, tourists should be able to find smart deals on flights and accommodation, making Spring a good season for budget travellers to visit Kalamata city.
Summer Sun
Sunscreen and shades are essential for a Summer visit to Kalamata, and the dry heat, which is possible to exceed 40 degrees, can feel stifling. If you intend to visit Kalamata at this time, don’t attempt to pack too much clothes into your trip. Arrange several of lazy beach days and make sure your hotel room or apartment is air conditioned. Greek holidaymakers flock here during the summer months, so you should expect crowded beaches so book your lodgings earlier as well.
Autumn and Winter in Kalamata
As the temperatures drop, also do the tourist numbers, and the early Autumn is a very pleasant time to visit Kalamata city. During September the waters are still warm enough for swimming, and you’ll have plenty of space for splashing into. Sightseeing becomes more comfortable as the heat becomes less oppressive, so October, November and forward are good times of the year to explore the mountains. During the Winter, there are fewer international flights to Kalamata, but it is always possible to fly in to Athens and take the transport through the beautiful newly created highway and inside the graphic villages along the way.
Reaching Kalamata is simple. The Messinian capital is 238 kilometers from Athens and accessible by every mean of transportation. There’s a daily Athens-Kalamata bus service, with frequent departures from the KTEL inter-city bus company in Athens, at Kifissos station. Kalamata’s KTEL station additionally runs regular services to the villages of Messinia and different cities within Peloponnisos. Kalamata is additionally connected to Thessaloniki by air with three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays). By sea, there’s a connection with Crete (Kasteli in Hania) and Kythera. Lastly from Peloponnisos train station in Athens there are daily train routes to Kalamata running via Patra city, while the local railway network also stops at numerous Messinian cities and villages. Kalamata’s modern marina permits the mooring of yachts and boats where you can walk amongst them and admire their luxury. From Kalamata you’ll be able to also reach Athens El. Venizelos airport and vice verca and additionally other airports as Thessaloniki and Heraklion. There are flights three times every week. Furthermore international flights are established directly to Kalamata city from plenty of European capitals!
Driving: You’ll be able to drive from Athens to Kalamata in about two hours twenty minutes on the National Road. Its not a bad drive and you will pass some attention-grabbing countryside. After all it’s a lot more interesting for the passenger than it’s for the driver who should keep his eye on the road in order to be alert for all the crazy things Greek drivers do. However even that may be amusing and if you’re a good driver you will not have any issues. Rent a Car
By bus: Coach services are operated by KTEL between Athens, Kalamata.
The trip lasts three hours to Kalamata. Ticket value is thirty five euros one-way and fifty five euros round-trip ticket.
You don’t have to pre-book for a price ticket. You’ll pay at the terminal, before bus departure or on the bus. If you’re there half an hour before departure you must find a seat. Find a Bus
By taxi: You’ll be able to rent or hire a taxi transfer from Athens directly to Kalamata city through the contact form and also you can arrange the price with the driver! This can be a simple solution if you don’t wish to drive all the way by yourself! Taxi Transfer
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€1.650,00
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Free
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