Cheap Flights to Kalamata

Quick facts

Identity

The town that lent its name to the world's most famous olive

Kalamata likely occupies the site of the ancient Homeric city of Pharai, mentioned in the Odyssey among the seven cities Agamemnon offered Achilles to appease his anger. Its modern name, first recorded in the Middle Ages, is thought to reference the reeds (kalamai in Greek) lining the region's many rivers. Conquered by crusaders in 1206, the town fell under Venetian and later Ottoman control, before becoming, on 23 March 1821, the very first town in Greece to be liberated during the War of Independence — just two days before the uprising's official start. A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck the town hard on 13 September 1986, killing around twenty people; paradoxically, that disaster triggered the major public and private investment that turned Kalamata into today's modern, dynamic and well-equipped provincial capital, one that has nonetheless kept much of its historic architectural character.

Don't miss

The medieval castle and the old town

Kalamata Castle, sometimes called "Isabeau's castle", was built in the 13th century by Geoffrey I of Villehardouin on the site of the ancient acropolis of Pharai, before being reworked by the Venetians and later the Ottomans. Only fragments remain today, but climbing to its ramparts, arranged amphitheatre-style, rewards visitors with a sweeping view over the town, the Messenian Gulf and Mount Taygetos in the background — a particularly striking sight at sunset. Every summer the castle hosts the Kalamata International Dance Festival, a major cultural event founded in 1995 that has played a big role in the rise of contemporary dance in Greece. Below it, the old town unfolds narrow lanes, shops and cafés, while the metropolitan church of Ypapanti, with its silver domes, houses the miraculous icon regarded as the town's protector.

Food

The Kalamata olive, a product turned global brand

Kalamata lent its name to the famous black olives that have been exported for centuries and are considered one of the finest varieties in the world: dark purple-black, almond-shaped, with fleshy pulp, protected by a Protected Designation of Origin that restricts their cultivation and preparation to the immediate area around the town. The equally renowned local olive oil rounds out an agricultural output drawn from one of the Peloponnese's most fertile plains — fresh and dried figs, raisins, wine. Kalamata's market, held every Wednesday and Saturday, remains the best place to sample these products straight from the producers, alongside specialities like saganaki or fresh fish from the Messenian Gulf.

To discover

A city beach and a town built around the sea

A rare Greek regional capital with a genuine beach right in town, Kalamata stretches a wide pebble-and-sand beach along its seafront, with water quality consistently ranked among the best in Greece — visibility can exceed 20 metres. Its network of bike paths connecting the town centre to the beach makes Kalamata one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, a great way to enjoy both the urban centre and the coastline. Each year in late summer, an open-water swim marathon crosses the Messenian Gulf, drawing Greek and international swimmers, while the town's age-old rivalry with neighbouring Sparta — more symbolic than real today — still livens up local conversation.

Day trip

Ancient Messene, Koroni and Methoni

About 30 km from Kalamata, the archaeological site of Ancient Messene, founded by Theban general Epaminondas in 369 BC, ranks among the best-preserved in Greece, with its agora and monumental Arcadian Gate — a trip far less crowded than the country's headline sites. Along the coast, the Venetian fortresses of Koroni and Methoni, the latter famous for its Bourzi tower standing alone on an islet, round out a tour of the southern Peloponnese, as does the small fishing village of Finikounda with its quieter beaches. These trips are easy to combine by rental car, with short distances and good roads throughout the Messinia region.

Getting around & budget

An airport 6 km from the centre, between sea and mountain

Kalamata Airport, the main airport of the Peloponnese, sits about 6 km from the town centre, with direct seasonal routes to several European cities as well as year-round scheduled flights to Athens. The town, capital of the Messinia region, has hosted the most important commercial port in southern mainland Greece since the 19th century, though it lacks a major passenger ferry link — sailings to the islands mostly run from the port of Kyllini, about 100 km away. Athens can be reached in about 2 hours 40 minutes by road (238 km), and the town centre and seafront are easy to explore on foot or by bike thanks to the flat terrain and extensive bike-path network.

Best time to go

When to visit Kalamata?

Kalamata Airport

The gateway to the Peloponnese

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FAQ

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