Polylimnio
Close to the village of Charavgi there is a small green place like a real paradise consisting of a cluster of lakes and waterfalls. Polylimnio is a pleasant destination suitable for easy hiking and a diving into the lake’s cold water. During your exploration you will pass a series of lakes such as the Italian’s, the Kadoula and the Kadi with amazing waterfalls and crystal clear waters.

TIP: It is advisable to wear sport shoes or mountain sandals.

Voidokilia Beach
The beach of Voidokilia is located near Pylos, next to the Gialova Lagoon, an important wetland of the area. The beach is characteristically beautiful with fine sand and shallow water.

Tips: Avoid afternoon hours because there are too many mosquitoes over there!

Pylos
Pylos is a small seaside town, formerly known under the name Navarino, place of the homonymous naval battle that contributed to the liberating struggle of the Greeks. It is nice to take a walk in the square and why not have a cup of coffee at the port.

Methoni
Methoni is a small village and a point of historical interest. It is built around the castle of Methoni which was built by the Venetians. There you can visit the castle and the Bourtzi Tower located south of the fortress. Also you can eat delicious fish on the beach in front of the castle.

Finikounda Beach
Next to the homonymous village there is the beach of Finikounda. It is quite large in size, shallow, sandy with blue waters. The area is famous for the numerous camsites!

TIP: If you like the organized camping (… or you can start by reading our blog posts about camping!!) You will find many reasons to stay in one of the many campsites of the area.

Tsapi Beach
Although in order to get to Tsapi beach you need to step away from the main provincial road, we feel it is worth it if you want to go to a pristine and quite beach. There you will find a small campsite and a tavern in case you want to rest and taste some greek food!

Koroni
The town of Koroni extends around its castle which was built by the Venetians. It is very nice to go for a walk at the narrow alleys and at the port of Koroni.

Peroulia Beach (or Vounária)
Perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches of Messinia. Access is not the best one, especially on high season, but we trully believe it’s worth it. It is shallow, sandy, without great shade (there are sunbeds) and the whole plave has a view of the Taygetos mountain.

For those of you who need even more inspiration before visiting Kalamata, read the 7 best things to do in Kalamata by All Ther Rooms!

It is certain that during your tour you can discover many other wonderful places for a swim, to enjoy the Messinian landscape, to taste some local delicacies or drink a fine cup of  coffee in front of the sea. We tried to highlight the most important points of interest for you. All the above are obnly a few of the places you can visit during a one day trip from Kalamata city!

Click on the map for the route!

Have fun and don’t forget

“To travel is to live”…!!

* Photo Credit tsemperlidou.gr

The post 7+1 THINGS TO DO WHEN IN KALAMATA – PELOPONNESE appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Built on the site of ancient Pharai, the city took its modern name from a miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary known as kala matia (good eyes).  It was discovered in the stables of an Ottoman aga (governor), who became a Christian as a miracle. The icon now resides inside the city’s oversized cathedral, the Church of Ypapanti.

Down town

Below the city’s castle, the small but attractive old town is located, a favorite meeting place for young people, because here is concentrated the nightlife (in winter). Old town was almost totally destroyed by the Turks during the War of Independence, rebuilt by French engineers in the 1830s, then levelled again by an earthquake in 1986. A lively Saturday food market at the old town is waiting for the visitors to try traditional products such us Kalamata olives, pasteli, olive oil etc.

Walk to find its castle and places of interests such us the hall that hosts every summer the prestigious International Dance Festival. The castle with the panoramic view is built on the site of the acropolis of Faron. Constructed in the 13th century by William Villehardouin and underwent subsequent additions and alterations by the Venetians and Turks. At the foot of the castle lies the  church of Ag. Ioannis which dates back to the post-Byzantine times. Visit the cathedral of the Visitation-Ypapanti (1873), the monastery of nuns (12th c.), the Byzantine church of the Agioi Apostoloi (13th c.), which received special historical value as here was celebrated the first thanksgiving in liberated Kalamata on March 23, 1821.

Visit also

The old Town Hall, the Gallery of Contemporary Greek Art, with paintings, sculptures and engravings, the Archaelogical Museum with finds dating from the Bronze Age to the Roman period, the Folklore and Historical Museum with traditional items, local costumes and relics from Greek Revolution of 1821, the municipal theater and Railway Park where exposed old engines and railroad cars, the meeting of residents and visitors walking point is the spacious central King George Square. From here starts the pedestrian part of the main road Aristomenous where you can find many shops and cafés. The district developed around the picturesque railway station with pedestrian network, small coffee bars and taverns. One of the gifts of Kalamata, is the huge beach (4km), clean waters (blue flag). The beach stretches along the boulevard Navarinou and is one of the most beautiful places in the city to walk or ride a bike. On the western beach there is a remarkable marina town with many tourist facilities, cafes and restaurants.

Ancient Messene (Messinia), Mani, Vergas Beach, Little Mantineia, the Avia,  town of Messina, the mountain villages of the western slope of Mount Taygetos, on the way to the city of Sparta (the route to Sparta is one of the most beautiful in Greece), Oreini Arcadia, Voidokoilia, Agios Andreas, Gargaliani (Marathopoli), Kardamili (New Suburb), Koroni, Methoni, Kyparissia, Petalidi, Pylos (Gialova), Stoupa and Finikounda. which in recent years have developed into resorts with significant tourist infrastructure and nightlife during the summer months,

Events

• The International Dance Festival, held every summer with his artistic radiation beyond the borders of the country and attracted dancers from around the world.
• Cultural events, theatrical performances and concerts at the castle amphitheater in the summer.
• The carnival events of the Municipality, with the standard “carousel” in the town square, every first Sunday of Carnival.
• The revival of impressive custom of “saitopolemou” Easter night of Resurrection (Western Kalamata Beach – Old Slaughterhouse).
• The big carnival in Messina last Sunday of Carnival.

Find out the 7 Best Things to do in Kalamata city. Other than this you can choose amongst:

Climbing, Mountain bike, Walks off road jeep, Excursion enduro, Sea sports, Bike, Running, Organized camping.

Accessibility: two hours and a half away from Athens.

What to buy – eat?

• pasteli
• honey
• herbs
• cheese (graviera – talagani – sfela)
• sygklino pork & sausages
• fresh yoghurt
• fresh fruit & vegetables
• sandals
• ceramics
• traditional neckerchief (silk texile)

Click the map with Kalamata’s places to see!

Things to do in Kalamata – nonstoptravellers

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