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Picture of Kalamata, Greece

Travel Guide for
Kalamata

Greece

Mediterranean, mild winters, hot dry summers

Introduction

Kalamata, nestled in southern Greece’s Messinia region, is famed for its lively waterfront, rich history, and gourmet olive oil. In early October, the weather is pleasantly warm, perfect for exploring the city’s Byzantine castles, open-air markets, and chic seaside restaurants with friends.

The city pulses with vibrant culture, from traditional dance performances to stylish rooftop bars overlooking the Gulf of Messinia. Indulge in luxury at high-end resorts, sail along the coast, or take a private wine tour—Kalamata’s blend of heritage and modern comfort makes it an excellent getaway for a group seeking a sophisticated and memorable escape.

Customized for these preferences:

Travel StyleTravelling with friends

Dates08-12 October 2025

BudgetHigh budget

AccommodationHotel, apartment or house, villa

Interests and Activities:

gastronomyfestivals and eventssightseeing and toursarts and culture

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Picture of Kalamata, Greece

Key Facts

Location

Peloponnese

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Religion

Greek Orthodox Christianity

Population

69,919

Language

Greek, English spoken

Electricity

230V, 50Hz, Type C/F

Time zone

UTCEET (UTC+2)

Country code

+30

Internet access

Widespread 4G/5G, fast broadband, moderate cost

Climate

Mediterranean, mild winters, hot dry summers

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Language:

Greek

  • hello

    Γεια σου (yah soo)
  • goodbye

    Αντίο (an-DEE-oh)
  • yes

    Ναι (neh)
  • no

    Όχι (OH-hee)
  • how much

    Πόσο κοστίζει αυτό; (PO-so ko-STEE-zee af-TO)
  • please

    Παρακαλώ (pa-ra-ka-LO)
  • thank you

    Ευχαριστώ (eff-ha-ree-STO)
  • excuse me

    Συγγνώμη (see-GHNO-mee)

Map

Logistics

To reach Kalamata, the quickest way is by flying directly into Kalamata International Airport, which receives seasonal flights from many European cities, especially during warmer months. For a high-budget trip with friends, consider chartering a private jet or booking business-class tickets for extra comfort.

Alternatively, you can fly into Athens and take a luxury private transfer or hire a car for a scenic 2.5-3 hour drive to Kalamata. While trains are limited, intercity buses offer service from Athens, but a private transfer is more flexible for groups. October can bring occasional rain, but travel is rarely disrupted—just pack a light rain jacket.

Weather

Kalamata enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Sunshine is plentiful from May through October, making it popular for outdoor sightseeing and beach visits. Gastronomy thrives year-round, with local olive oil and fresh seafood always in season.

From October 8 to 12, you can expect pleasant fall weather—daytime highs near 24°C (75°F) and cooler evenings. Occasional rain showers become more likely, but extreme weather is rare. Festivals and cultural events often celebrate the olive harvest, so it’s a great time to experience local arts, culture, and tours.

Food & Drink

Kalamata is famous for its olives, high-quality olive oil, fresh seafood, and local specialties like kalamari gemisto (stuffed squid), lahanodolmades (cabbage rolls), and the sweet diples. Must-try drinks include local wines and ouzo. For high-end dining, visit Kastraki Meteoro, Oinopantopoleion 29, or Mia Zoi restaurant; for elegant coffee or cocktails, try Luna Lounge or Luna Lounge Bar.

Luxury seekers will love fish and seafood at DIONYSOS, or contemporary Greek tasting menus at Kardamo. Tipping in Greece is customary but not obligatory—rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is appreciated. Many restaurants cater to vegetarians and offer seasonal, fresh ingredients; always reserve ahead in summer due to high demand.

A picture of Moussaka

Moussaka

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A picture of Souvlaki

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a popular Greek street food consisting of small pieces of grilled meat (often pork or chicken)...

A picture of Spanakopita

Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a savory Greek pastry made with crispy phyllo dough and filled with a flavorful mixture of...

A picture of Dolmades

Dolmades

Dolmades are grape leaves stuffed with a seasoned mixture of rice, pine nuts, and herbs. They are often...

A picture of Baklava

Baklava

Baklava is a sweet and indulgent pastry made with layers of finely shredded phyllo dough, honey, and chopped...

Accommodation

For a luxurious stay with friends, focus on high-end hotels along Navarinou Street near the beach, such as the Pharae Palace or Horizon Blu, both offering sea views and excellent amenities. Boutique hotels in the historic center, like Rex Hotel, offer charm and easy access to Kalamata’s nightlife and restaurants.

Splendid villas and upscale apartments are plentiful through Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies—ideal for groups seeking privacy and comfort. Look for villas with private pools or sea views in the Verga or Mikri Mantinia neighborhoods, just a short drive from the city center.

In October, accommodation prices are lower than summer, but book early to secure the best homes or suites for your group, especially during the Kalamata International Dance Festival or other local events.

Itinerary

Begin your journey by settling into Kalamata and experiencing its vibrant energy with a deep dive into local culinary delights and welcoming cultural experiences.

Guided Tasting and Market Tour at Kalamata Central Market

Kick off your trip with a premium guided tasting tour inside Kalamata’s bustling Central Market. Sample local olives, cheeses, honey, and artisanal sweets while learning about the region’s rich food traditions and meeting local producers.

Exploration of the Benakeion Archaeological Museum

Dive into Kalamata’s history at the Benakeion Archaeological Museum, home to fascinating artifacts from ancient Messenia. Enjoy a private guided tour to gain insightful context about the city’s past and its cultural evolution.

Dinner at a Gourmet Seafront Taverna

Savor Kalamata’s culinary excellence with a high-end dining experience at one of the city’s best seafront tavernas. Indulge in creative takes on traditional dishes, fresh local seafood, and regional wines with views of the Messinian Gulf.

Best Seller: Semi-Private Athens Morning Food Tour (15+ tastings)

Best Seller: Semi-Private Athens Morning Food Tour (15+ tastings)

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Discover the Greek culinary culture on a 4-hour walking tour around Athens' food scene. Let your local guide lead you through the best food spots the historical city has to offer and indulge in 15 different tastings of local flavors. Browse through the vibrant Athens Central Market, visit local shops, bakeries, traditional taverns, and restaurants and taste your way through Athens like a local!

5.0 (548 reviews)

From $107 USD

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Attractions

3.9 (48 reviews)
Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour with Acropolis Museum

Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour with Acropolis Museum

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.

From $153 USD

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4.9 (122 reviews)
Santorini Private Sightseeing Tour

Santorini Private Sightseeing Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Explore magical Santorini on this Private Sightseeing Tour. After a convenient hotel, airport, or port pickup, craft your dream itinerary with a knowledgeable local guide and visit sites like the picturesque village of Oia, the beautiful Blue Dome Church, the Black and Red beaches. Enjoy a delicious glass of wine at a local winery and capture panoramic photos from Prophet Elias Monastery.

From $199 USD

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5.0 (25 reviews)
Private Athens Morning Food Tour (15+ tastings) - Best Seller

Private Athens Morning Food Tour (15+ tastings) - Best Seller

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Our amazing private and personalized walking food tour promises to cast light on the city’s tastes and culinary customs. Watch locals shop at the Central Market, chat to vendors, and visit traditional food spots for 15 tastings of treats such as pies, loukoumades, home-cooked main dishes and desserts, all accompanied by food stories and tips you’d otherwise miss. Entirely customizable and definitely fun, this food tour will leave you full of food and fond memories!

From $169 USD

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5.0 (3 reviews)
Corfu Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour

Corfu Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour

INSTANT_THEN_MANUAL
Free Cancellation

Enjoy a sightseeing tour at the best place in Corfu. From Kanoni admire the view of Pontikonisi island the small isle symbol of Corfu. Paleokastritsa is one of the most famous tourist place in Corfu island. This place has in fact very clear sea water and many lonely rocky coves which are fantastic for all those who love snorkeling. You have the opportunity to visit several lovely bays. . Angelokastro - “Castle of Angels” or "Angelos's castle" is located at the top of the highest peak of the island's shoreline in the northwest coast near Palaiokastritsa and is one of the most important Byzantine castles of Greece

From $264 USD

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4.9 (68 reviews)
Private Santorini Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

Private Santorini Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Enjoy personalized attention from your native Santorini guide and get an eye-opening look into historic places, listen to in-the-know commentary and capture marvelous island views. Travel in style as you hit the top attractions on Santorini. The more you discover, the more you'll want to see. The tour that includes Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, excavations of Akrotiri (by yourself), Red Beach, Black Sand Beach, Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos village or Megalochori traditional village, and Venetsanos winery or Agyros estate optional. The perfect way to get to know Santorini in one day.

From $307 USD

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4.7 (3 reviews)
Ancient Olympia Full-Day Excursion from Patras

Ancient Olympia Full-Day Excursion from Patras

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

This Ancient Olympia private excursion explores sites from the past. Capacity is suitable for up to 8 people in a luxury mini van.

From $359 USD

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5.0 (4 reviews)
E-Bike Ancient Messini Way

E-Bike Ancient Messini Way

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

The site of ancient Messene or Messini lies in a fertile valley approximately 30 km away from Kalamata. Picturesquely situated on a hillside the remains of this vast ancient city are one of Greece’s best-preserved archaeological sites and one of the most beautifully situated. Our guided e-bike tour here is a journey at the surrounding hidden gems of the ancient site inside a unique lush landscape. Your e-bike takes all the effort out of the ride, so you can absorb the awe-inspiring atmosphere of this Greek paradise. Additionally, once here one can enrich the overall experience with a self-guided tour inside the ancient city to get the full picture and the maximum experience of this amazing place.

From $102 USD

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5.0 (665 reviews)
Athens Full Day Private Tour

Athens Full Day Private Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Explore Athens in a private, full-day experience that brings together heritage, comfort, and local knowledge. Visit the Acropolis, Panathenaic Stadium, and other significant landmarks, guided by a professional driver who offers thoughtful insights. Enjoy a relaxed pace, a personalized route, and the freedom to discover the city without the limits of fixed itineraries or group constraints. This tour is designed for travelers who value authenticity, seamless organization, and unforgettable moments. Full-day private Athens tour with knowledgeable local driver Custom itinerary with flexible timing Private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and drop-off Authentic experience suited to all group types

From $205 USD

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5.0 (54 reviews)
Footsteps of Apostle Paul from Athens to Corinth, Private Day Tour

Footsteps of Apostle Paul from Athens to Corinth, Private Day Tour

INSTANT_THEN_MANUAL
Free Cancellation

This tour gives us the opportunity to visit and explore the places where St. Paul preached to the ancient Greeks in Athens and Corinth, in a day. The tour starts by visiting the “Areos Pagos” (literally, Mars Hill) at the foot of the Acropolis. Continuing our tour to our next stop, the “Agora”, we’ll have the opportunity of a sightseeing in the centre of Athens. (Temple of Zeus-1896 Olympic stadium-Presidential Palace-Greek Parliament-Changing of the Guards). With our visit to the “Agora” we conclude the Athens part of our tour and we continue to visit Corinth and the Corinth Canal. The Canal (approx. 6 km long connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Sea)where we have a brief stop for photos. Then we visit Ancient Corinth where we visit the museum and the archaeological site where the “Bema” is. We conclude our tour in Corinth with lunch in a traditional Greek taverna and we start our return trip to Athens via Kechries, the port of Corinth from where St. Paul sailed to Ephessus.

From $286 USD

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5.0 (13 reviews)
Private Day Trip To Delphi

Private Day Trip To Delphi

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Our 25 years experience and the combination of stunning natural scenery and the legacy of a fascinating and diverse cultural heritage of Delphi makes this day trip from Athens an irresistible option. You will discover the fascinating historical, cultural and geographic landscape of the regions

From $305 USD

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4.9 (7 reviews)
Athens Sightseeing Private Tour

Athens Sightseeing Private Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Athens, the oldest city in Europe. This 4 hours tour gives you the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Ancient Athens is one of Europe's oldest cities, one with a continuous history whose beginnings can be traced some 5.000 years ago. The Greek capital is known as the cradle of democracy and western civilization, a vibrant cosmopolitan hub with a rich culture, a long history and a mild climate. Where Socrates, Plato and Aristotle once became active, today are housed breathtaking archaeological sites and Museums such as the Acropolis including Parthenon and picturesque alleys in Plaka.

From $211 USD

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4.6 (16 reviews)
Ancient Olympia/ Ancient Corinth private tour from Athens/ Nafplio (up 12 hours)

Ancient Olympia/ Ancient Corinth private tour from Athens/ Nafplio (up 12 hours)

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

We visit Ancient Olympia & Corinth, as travelers, not as tourists. We get as excited as you, we love traveling, history & photography. We love what we do:) Schedule is flexible, but most importantly our drivers are seasoned travelers and are dedicated to helping you live the tour of your life, that is suited to your needs and lifestyle, allowing all passengers to enjoy the scenic drive, stopping wherever you desire and avoiding tourist traps. The day starts with convenient pickup from your location and then takes you via Corinth Canal to Peloponnese. Take the high way Corinth - Kalamata via Tripolis through the Majestic Arcadian Mountains to Olympia. Visit Olympic Zeus sanctuary & famous ancient Stadion. Visit one of the best Museums in Greece. Return to Athens via Ancient Corinth (Visit site & Museum).

From $337 USD

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5.0 (8 reviews)
All Day Athens Highlights & Sunset Tour to the Temple of Poseidon

All Day Athens Highlights & Sunset Tour to the Temple of Poseidon

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

In this one day tour in Athens, you will have the opportunity to see the Athens landmarks to visit the Famous Acropolis of Athens with the Parthenon and enjoy the afternoon tour to Cape Sounion - with the breathtaking view. So you will discover Athens's Greatest Treasures such as the Parthenon. Explore the most important sites like the Greek Parliament, the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro), the National Library, and the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue on with the visit Cape Sounion overlooking the Sea. You will possibly view the most beautiful sunset. During our way to Sounion, we will stop at the Lake of Vouliagmeni. Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion was built in 44 B.C., and many of its original Doric columns are still standing. This tour allows you to skip the hassle of finding your own way to Sounion so you can relax and enjoy a pre-planned activity or a delicious meal in a traditional restaurant with splendid sea views. - We will have free time for photos.

From $311 USD

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5.0 (22 reviews)
An exciting exploration of Peloponnese at ancient Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplio

An exciting exploration of Peloponnese at ancient Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplio

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Highlights of this tour to Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion • The impressive Corinth Canal • The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth with its agora and museum • The Arched Tombs of the Kings and the Lion’s Gate in the archaeological site of Mycenae • The picturesque town of Nafplio • The inviting landscape of the Peloponnese Peninsula • Travelers can customize the tour within the itinerary!

From $506 USD

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4.9 (19 reviews)
Private Sailing Parties and Events Cruise 4 or 7 Hours

Private Sailing Parties and Events Cruise 4 or 7 Hours

INSTANT_THEN_MANUAL
Free Cancellation

A private boat chartering to serve all your parties and events to give you a uniquely one of a kind experience. Plan engagements, birthdays, vow renewals, or just a special day away from the ordinary.

From $970 USD

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5.0 (2 reviews)
5-Day Peloponnese Greece Adventure

5-Day Peloponnese Greece Adventure

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

This is a 5-day tour like no other in the Peloponnese because it combines all the must-see archaeological and historical sites with the most beautiful, off the usual touristic track, scenery of the region. From Ancient Corinth, Olympia, Messini, Mycenae and Epidaurus to medieval towns of Nafplion, Monemvasia, Methoni, Pylos and Mystras, to spectacular caves of Diros and the Natural habitats of famous Voidokilia and Peroulia beaches, this is one of its kind experience. Marvel at the local traditional cuisine on seafront fish selected restaurants with spectacular view and rest in 4 star exceptional hotels. Travel with our new private luxury MERCEDES BENZ limos - minivans - minibuses in safety,comfort and style and let your local professional English speaking tour driver to make you feel like a local.

From $2224 USD

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5.0 (1 reviews)
Private Day Trip to Sparta from Kalamata (Price per Group)

Private Day Trip to Sparta from Kalamata (Price per Group)

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Enjoy a full-day adventure to the city of Sparta. A city which offers you a ‘laconic’ journey back in time throughout Greek history. Begin the 2-hour drive from Kalamata with a convenient pickup at your hotel, then ride in a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle over the scenic Taygetos mountains. See significant sites in both modern and historic Sparta, including the Acropolis of Ancient Sparta, the Olive Oil Museum, and more on this guided, small-group tour. Take a full-day private tour to historic Sparta in an air-conditioned vehicle. View the stunning landscape of the Peloponnese peninsula. Learn the history of Ancient Sparta from an informative leader. Enjoy the convenience of hotel or cruise port pickup and drop off.

From $603 USD

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