A lively seaside city with a long beach, historic neighbourhoods and Mount Taygetos rising dramatically behind it.
Kalamata combines the advantages of a real city with easy access to the sea. You can swim along the city’s long beach, walk or cycle along the seafront, explore the Old Town and the castle, and enjoy a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and shops. It is also a practical base for discovering many parts of Messinia.
Why stay in Kalamata?
Kalamata is a good choice if you want more than a quiet seaside resort. It is the largest city in Messinia and remains lively throughout the year, with plenty of places to eat, drink and go out.
One of its biggest advantages is the combination of city and beach. The seafront stretches for several kilometres and swimming is possible right in the city, while the centre and the Old Town are only a short distance away.
Kalamata is also well connected by road and has its own airport, making it one of the easiest bases for exploring the wider region.
Where to stay in Kalamata
Seafront & Marina
The best choice if being close to the sea is your priority. The long waterfront is lined with cafés and restaurants, and the beach is just across the road in many places. It is also a pleasant area for walking and cycling, especially in the evening.
City Centre
A practical choice if you prefer to be close to shops, restaurants and everyday city life. The seafront and the Old Town are both within easy reach.
Old Town & Castle
For a more historic atmosphere, stay around the northern part of the centre. Here you will find the castle, traditional streets, small squares and some of the oldest parts of Kalamata, with the modern city extending towards the sea below.
What to see & do
Kalamata’s long seafront is a natural part of everyday life in the city, whether you want to swim, walk, cycle or simply sit by the sea.
Away from the coast, explore the Old Town and walk up to Kalamata Castle for views over the city and towards the Messinian Gulf. The historic centre, traditional streets and squares offer a very different atmosphere from the modern waterfront.
And wherever you are in the city, Mount Taygetos forms an impressive backdrop — and offers plenty of opportunities for mountain trips and hiking beyond Kalamata.
Accomodation in Kalamata
Kalamata offers a wide range of accommodation options, both in the city centre and Old Town, as well as along the seafront. Below are a few examples, while many more accommodation options are available throughout the city and the surrounding area.
CENTRO Suites
Studios and suites in central Kalamata, next to the main square on Aristomenous Street, and within easy walking distance of the Old Town.
Official website 🔗
Pharae Palace Hotel
Four-star hotel on Kalamata’s seafront, on Navarinou Street near the port, with easy access to the beach.
Official website 🔗
Horizon Blu Hotel
Five-star hotel on Kalamata’s seafront, on Navarinou Street and directly across from the sea, overlooking the Messenian Gulf.
Official website 🔗
Belvedere Hotel
Hotel in Verga, just outside Kalamata, in an elevated location with panoramic views over the city and the Messenian Gulf.
Official website 🔗
Indicative and non-exhaustive list of accommodation options. Listings are not paid and do not constitute an assessment or recommendation of the services provided.
Exploring Messinia from Kalamata
Kalamata works particularly well as a base for exploring eastern and central Messinia. The villages and landscapes of the Mani peninsula are within easy reach, while Ancient Messene makes an excellent day trip.
The southern and western parts of Messinia can also be visited from Kalamata, but if most of your trip is focused on places such as Pylos, Gialova, Methoni or Finikoynta, staying in that part of the region may be more convenient.