Blissful beach life and abundant archaeology
There’s far more to Kalamata than the juicy olives for which this sun-soaked corner of the Peloponnese peninsula is justly famed. The capital of Messinia offers plenty to entice visitors, from weathered castles and ancient ruins to stunning beaches and captivating museums. The ancient sites of Sparta and Olympia are within easy reach and you’ll find yourself in the land of the gods here – the home of Hades and the Underworld.
The Old Town’s narrow streets teem with historic buildings, including the Byzantine church of the Holy Apostles and the church of Agioi Apostoloi where the 1821 revolt against the Turks began. The cathedral of Ypapantis, built in 1839, houses an icon of the Virgin Mary purportedly dating to 672 AD.
The twice-weekly Central Food Market offers Kalamata olives and other local delicacies such as sfela cheese, pasteli, honey, lalagia (a kind of fried dough cracker) and Poliani apples. Climb lush pine-clad hills to enjoy the sunset from the Kastro, Kalamata’s 13th Century Frankish-built castle. Visit the Folklore and History Museum, containing priceless artifacts from the 1821 Greek War of Independence, and stroll through the open-air Municipal Railway Park to see impressive vintage engines. Book your flights to Kalamata today and start exploring.