a scenic view of a lake and mountains at sunset

Kalamata

Kalamata is a port city in southwestern Greece known for its olives, olive oil and scarves, with a Frankish castle above the old town.

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Kalamata is a port city in southwestern Peloponnese, Greece, and the capital of the Messenia regional unit. It sits at the head of the Messenian Gulf, on the Nedon River, and is the second most populous city in the Peloponnese after Patras. Visitors come for Kalamata olives and olive oil, the Kalamatianos dance and the city's woven scarves. Above the old town stands Kalamata Castle, a Frankish fortress with views over the city and the gulf.

The old town and castle make a good start, then use the city as a base for Messinia. The Church of the Holy Apostles, an 11th to 12th century Byzantine church, is the city's symbol, and the Archaeological Museum of Messenia sits behind it. Athens is about 243 km away, about two hours by motorway, and the regional airport, 7 km southeast of the center, has a daily flight to Athens. Summer suits the seaside, but midsummer days can be very hot, so walk the old town in the morning or evening.

Kalamata in five

Buy Kalamata olives and oil at the sourceKalamata olives and oil carry protected designations, and producers around town sell oil after the November to January harvest. Check the label for PDO rather than assuming a brand's origin.
Walk the old town and castle near sunsetThe castle above the old town gives views over the gulf, and the nearby lanes have cafes and a market. Opening hours shorten in winter, so check before you climb.
Check the dates of the Dance FestivalKalamata hosts an international dance festival in summer, which fills rooms in the center. Look up dates on the festival's site and book early if they overlap your trip.
Start the Mani drive from hereThe Mani coast begins about 40 to 60 minutes south, with narrow roads that suit a small car. Leave early so you reach the stone tower villages before the afternoon heat.The Mani
Arrive by motorway or seasonal flightThe motorway from Athens takes about three hours, and the small airport has seasonal flights. Do not plan on trains, and check KTEL bus times from Athens's Kifissos station.Peloponnese

Things to do in Kalamata

See all attractions in Kalamata

Museum · KalamataArchaeological Museum of Messinia

Museum · KalamataVictoria Karelias Collection of Traditional Greek Costumes

brown concrete building near body of water during daytime

Church · KalamataChurch

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Need to know

Airport: Kalamata (KLX), small airport west of the city; seasonal flights
Getting there: Motorway from Athens (about 3 hrs); KTEL buses; seasonal flights
Getting around: Walking in the center; a car for Messinia and the Mani
Best base: Near the old town, or on the beachfront
Time needed: 1–2 days; 4–5 with Messinia and the Mani

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, olive season
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Mild, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Spring flowers
AprilPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Easter, warm
MayClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Warm, beaches
JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Hot, dance festival
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh33°Low23°Hot, dry
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot, dry
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Warm sea
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Mild, quieter
NovemberRain11 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Olive harvest
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Kalamata, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kalamata

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 18°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 15 km/h
Chance of rain: 88%

Kalamata

10:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today20°13°88%Monday: Rain. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 88%.
Tue20°13°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed21°12°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu21°11°28%Thursday: Fog. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 28%.
Fri19°9°9%Friday: Clear. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 9%.
Sat20°8°20%Saturday: Clear. High 20°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sun18°11°14%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 14%.

Updated 10:29 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Ancient Messeneabout 30–40 min by car northwestA well-preserved Hellenistic city with a stadium and gates, in a quiet valley.
Stoupa and Kardamyliabout 40–60 min by car southMani-coast villages with beaches, olive groves and tower houses.Read the guide
Mystrasabout 1–1.5 hours by car over the TaygetosA Byzantine hill town of churches and palace ruins near Sparta.

Before you go to Kalamata

Rental car in KalamataMessinia and the Mani need a carCompare car hire

Stays in KalamataOld town rooms and seafront hotelsCheck availability

eSIM for KalamataNavigation on Mani and Messinia roadsRead the guide

Insurance for KalamataCover for car hire on remote roadsRead the guide

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Rules for Kalamata, checked

Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
Non-EU visitors are fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current EES guidance from the European Commission.
Dial 112 for police, fire and ambulance anywhere in Greece.
Indoor smoking is banned in Greek bars, restaurants and other enclosed public places.

Plan around Kalamata

All of Greece

Entry rules, ferries and regions

Read the guide Messinia

Castles, beaches and the olive coast

Read the guide The Mani

Stone towers and a rugged southern peninsula

Read the guide Peloponnese

Nafplio, Mycenae and the south by car

Read the guide Monemvasia

Medieval walled town on the east coast

Read the guide Getting around Greece

Cars, buses and ferries compared

Read the guide

Kalamata FAQ

What is Kalamata known for?

Its olives and olive oil, and a long pebble waterfront with an old town and castle. It is also the main city of Messinia and the gateway to the Mani peninsula and southwest Peloponnese.

Is Kalamata worth visiting?

Yes as a base for Messinia and the Mani, with a lively waterfront and good food. It is a working city, not a postcard town, so most visitors spend a night or two and move on.

How do you get from Athens to Kalamata?

By car on the motorway in about three hours, by KTEL bus from Athens's Kifissos station, or on a seasonal flight. There is no practical train, so book a bus or rental car.

Is there a beach in Kalamata?

Yes, a long pebble beach runs along the waterfront, with cafes and a promenade. Sandier and quieter beaches lie west toward Messinia and south along the Mani.

When is the best time to visit Kalamata?

April to June and September to October for warm days and fewer crowds. Summer is hot, and the olive harvest in late autumn is a good time for oil tastings.