Europe

Kalamata, Greece: The Ultimate Guide to the Olive Capital

The city of Kalamata (Greece) is located in the southern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The capital of one of the Greek nomes (administrative divisions) of Messinia. This picturesque city is called the capital of olives, because Kalamata is famous not only for the number of olive groves, but also for the quality of the harvest. This is where tourists and locals buy the best olive oil in all of Greece.

General information

Photo of the city pier

The rich historical heritage of Kalamata was formed over many centuries, it was known even in the time of Homer (VIII BC). During this time, the city was under the rule of the Spartans, the Byzantine Empire, the Venetians and the Ottoman Empire. Kalamata became part of Greece only at the beginning of the XIX century, or rather in 1821. By the way, the city is one of the first, which began the formation of independent Greece.

Today, the city is home to a little less than 60 thousand people. There is an international airport just 7 km away.

Historical excursion

The history of the town of Kalamata begins in the distant past-BC, when it was a small port settlement. The first mentions are found in the works of Homer, the author used the old name-Fares or Fireses. In the works of Kalamata is described as a large settlement.

A thousand years ago, the famous traveler Pausanias described the city in the book “Missianika”. The author explained the origin of the name with an interesting legend – the founder of the city was the son of the god Hermes Faris.

The Romans kept the name Fares, after which the name Kalame appeared. The modern interpretation – Kalamata – is first found in 1208, during the reign of Baron Villardouin, who loved the city for its picturesque appearance and even built a residence here, where he spent a lot of time. After his death, the city was ruled by the baron’s sons, then the Byzantines, Venetians and Turks came to power. At the beginning of the 19th century, a group of Greek partisans began their liberation struggle from the Ottoman Empire. Since then, March 23 is a national holiday-Independence Day. All over Greece, it is celebrated on March 25.

Modern Kalamata

Old Town Street

Kalamata is the capital of Messinia. This is the second most important city on the Peloponnese peninsula, the first is the city of Patras. The economy is mainly based on agriculture — vegetables, figs, raisins and a large amount of first-class olive oil are grown here. The latter is exported to many countries in Europe and around the world.

The tourist season in Kalamata is open all year round. Many European residents love the winter resort for its calm, serene and relaxing atmosphere. In winter, a leisurely walk along Aristomenus Street is a special pleasure, this is a pedestrian zone where traffic has long been prohibited.

In summer, this Greek city becomes busier, with the main influx of travelers from mid-May until the end of October. At the peak of the tourist season, the Kalamata embankment is densely packed with people.

Attractions and entertainment

In the homeland of olives, Kalamata, you will find recreation and entertainment for every taste-walking through picturesque places, visiting historical monuments, beach holidays, shopping and even extreme sports are represented here.

Kalamata Castle

Place of interest: the castle

Travelers usually start their sightseeing tour from the hill where the fortress is located, built in the Crusader era (XIII century) by Baron Villardouin, who often admired the city from the fortress walls. During the warm season, the summer theater is open, where theatrical productions and concerts are held. Unfortunately, there are not so many preserved buildings here, but the view from the hill is panoramic.

  • Location: Sparths 28, Kalamata 241 00 Greece.
  • Admission fee: 2€ full ticket, 1€ children’s ticket.
  • Opening hours: 8: 30-20: 00 every day, except Tuesdays.
  • Official website: http://odysseus.culture.gr.

Temples

Ipapanti Ecclesia Cathedral

At the foot of the hill is the central square of the city – Ipapandi. Its main attraction is the Cathedral, the construction of which was completed in the XIX century. Previously, there was a church in its place, and in its ruins builders found a valuable icon of the Virgin Mary of Ipapandi, which is now stored in the cathedral.

Guests of the city must visit the oldest church of Kalamata-the Holy Apostles on the square on March 23 (Independence Day). Construction was carried out in the XIII century. The square itself also has a rich history, as it was here that the beginning of the liberation struggle against the Turkish authorities was proclaimed.

Photo: Church of the Apostles

In total, there are about fifty churches and monasteries in Kalamata, many of them shrouded in an atmosphere of antiquity and centuries-old history.

The Convent of Kalogreon is notable for the amazing silk products that the nuns weave by hand. Here tourists buy beautiful shawls and ties, delicate scarves. There is a weaving museum attached to the monastery, where the best works are presented.

Museums

Photo: Museum of Archeology

In addition to the Museum of weaving art, tourists visit the Archaeological Museum, which is located in the Benaki mansion. Exhibits – finds found during excavations not only in the city, but throughout Greece. Fans of painting are sure to look into the art gallery, where the works of mainly Greek masters are presented. Another interesting place to visit with the whole family is the Railway Transport Museum, where old steam locomotives and decommissioned equipment are displayed as exhibits.

Excursions

Photo: Olimpia City

If you are bored with the monotony of a beach holiday, pay attention to the services of local tour desks. Travelers who are interested in history will certainly be interested in taking a trip to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Here guests will be shown the venue of the first competitions, invited to visit the temple of Zeus and the temple of Aphrodite. Do you remember the terrible story of how weak children in Greece were thrown from a steep cliff? It turns out that this rock is located in Sparta and this legendary place can be visited.

Photo: Neokastro Fortress

Not far from Kalamata is one of the most remarkable and interesting port cities – Pylos.

Its most striking attraction is the Neokastro fortress. Construction work was carried out presumably in 1573 by specialists from Turkey. In addition to the fortress, the city has the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour with snow-white, as if floating, domes and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

From Sparta, you can go to Mistras. This city is called a ghost, where the severity and restraint of the Middle Ages are surprisingly intertwined with the grace and lightness of churches.

Nature lovers

Photo: Ridomo Gorge

Actually, to enjoy nature, it is absolutely not necessary to go far from Kalamata, just take a walk around the city. But 50 km away is a real gem – the Ridomo Gorge. The way here is not easy, but the beauty of the local landscape takes your breath away.

If you move towards Areopoli, approximately 90 km from Kalamata, the Diru caves are located, they are among the most beautiful and largest in the world. There are only 3 caves here, the largest one (Diru proper) is hundreds of square kilometers in size. A large part of the cave is occupied by a lake where tourists can go boating. Here they enter huge stone rooms, intricately decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, which are reflected in icy, clean underground lakes.

Fans of extreme sports

If an ordinary, relaxing holiday is not for you, if you like to test yourself for strength and can not live without adrenaline, sky surfing classes are exactly what you need. You can take a hang gliding flight that starts at the top of Mount Taigetos, at the foot of which the city is located, and ends right on the city beach. There is a yacht club on the beach where you can rent a yacht and explore the bay.

Shopping experience

Tourist street with shops and restaurants

Most of the shops are located on Aristomenous Street and the alleys that adjoin it. Here you can buy products of famous brands and Greek products.

The waterfront also offers a boardwalk and shops, bars and restaurants. Tourists who have already visited Kalamata recommend trying local sweets.

Kalamata Beach

City Beach

The beach of Kalamata is mostly covered with small pebbles, but you can also find sandy areas. All recreation areas are clean, and special attention is paid to this here. Owners of coastal cafes and bars keep the surrounding area clean.

The beaches of Kalamata in Greece are municipal, so admission is free and the time of stay is unlimited. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available, and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a game of ball or badminton. To enjoy all the beach benefits freely, you just need to buy any drink.

If you like to observe the underwater world, follow the direction of Kardamili. Tourists often stop on the rocky shores, as the marine flora and fauna here is diverse.

Climate and weather

Weather in the city by month

Photos of Kalamata in Greece show juicy greenery, picturesque views. Such a riot of colors and a variety of vegetation was enthusiastically described by Euripides. The peninsula has a special climate, thanks to which winter is easily tolerated here and summer is not too hot. It has incredibly fertile soil, with a huge amount of pasture.

Indeed, the climate here is mild, the summer heat does not seem so strong due to the wind from the sea. There is almost no rain in the warm season, the average temperature is from +30 to +35 °C.

water temperature, °C

The water in the bay warms up to +25 °C, you can swim here from June to October. However, real sea lovers can safely swim in May, when the water temperature is no higher than +20 °C.

In winter, the air temperature drops to +10 degrees. In the coldest weather – up to +5 degrees.

How to get

There are several ways to get to Kalamata.

  • By plane. 7 km from the city there is an airport that accepts international flights of 11 airlines. During the holiday season, there are regular flights from Moscow directly to Kalamata. You can also fly to the city from Thessaloniki.
  • By car. A new route has been laid from Athens to Kalamata, passing through Corinth and Tripoli. The journey takes only 2.5 hours.
  • By public transport. There are regular buses from the Athens bus station. There are regular flights, in this case the travel time is approximately 3.5 hours. If you want to save time, buy a ticket for the express bus, it runs non-stop, the duration of the route is only 2.5 hours. One-way ticket costs 25 euros.

Interesting facts

  1. Every year, at the end of summer, the city hosts the Messina Swim – from Kalamata to Koroni. The distance is 30 km.
  2. The People’s Library of Kalamata consists of more than 50 thousand newspapers and 80 thousand books.
  3. The Po City Railway Museum is the largest of its kind in Greece .

The resort of Kalamata (Greece) is open to tourists all year round. The peninsula and its inhabitants are willing to share the beauty of nature, history, attractions, as well as special, homely comfort and peace. The road here does not take much effort, and this is another reason to visit Kalamata and be sure to return again.

🇬🇷 Kalamata Greece | Exotic beaches | Top places | Peloponnese travel guide & Mani

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