Kalamata Holidays

Kalamata is the birthplace of a famous type of olive, and it shows. The roads are lined with groves producing barrels of the plump, purple olive that’s become a household name around the world. For an insight into how the olives are turned into oil, book a tour at one of the many mills or factories that dot the area.

Though built on top of the ancient city of Pharai, little of the old Kalamata survives today, since a devastating earthquake in 1986. That said, there are a few still-standing structures in Kalamata’s charming Old Town – like the 13^th-century kastro, or castle, which looks out onto panoramic views of the city below. A 50-minute drive inland takes you to the 2,300-year-old ruins of ancient Messini.

The 59-kilometre-long road that stretches between Kalamata and Sparta is deemed by many one of the most beautiful drives in Greece. The route runs alongside the dramatic Langada River, passes several hidden – and welcoming – mountain villages, and crosses over the Taygetos Mountains. Many mountaineers take this route to tackle the Taygetos Range, though it’s a trail best attempted by the experienced.