Things to do in Kalamata

Welcome to Kalamata

If the name ‘Kalamata’ sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone — it’s a city in southern Greece from which Greek olives get their name. It is both the capitol of the region of Messinia and the second-largest city in the Peloponnese. With its preserved Old Town and a number of museums and galleries, the city maintains its rich cultural history. The ancient Greek author Homer described a city called Pharai, which is believed to have been where the Kalamata Castle stands today.
The name Kalamata is derived from an icon of the Virgin Mary known as the ‘good eye’ (kalo mata.) The icon was believed to be miracle-working, and today can be found in the inside the city’s cathedral, the Church of Ypapantis. Throughout the ages, Kalamata has suffered wars at the hands of the Ottoman Empire and earthquakes in as recent as 1986, though today it flourishes as an important port city.

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Top 3 attractions in Kalamata

The Mystras Palace Complex on a hill in the Peloponnese, Greece.

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Mystras (Mistras)

The 13th-century fortified village of Mystras (Mistras perched on Mount Taygetos is one of the most picturesque spots on the Peloponnese peninsula. Occupied by the Byzantines, Turks, and Venetians before being abandoned in the 1830s, the ruins of this UNESCO-listed town include a clutch of churches and monasteries, a fortress, and a palace.

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Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil (Mouseio Elias kai Ellinikou Ladiou)

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Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil (Mouseio Elias kai Ellinikou Ladiou)

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil (Mouseio Elias kai Ellinikou Ladiou pays homage to Greece’s most important crop, offering an informative take on the cultural and economic importance of olives. Learn about the production of olive oil, soap, and other by-products and choose from a selection of local olive oils in the shop.

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Bowls overflowing with different types of olives.

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Kalamata Farmers Market

Get a taste of traditional Greek food at the Kalamata Farmers Market, a biweekly attraction in the Peloponnese. Visitors in Kalamata and beyond are drawn to this market to shop for picnic fare, take photos of the market stalls, and buy everything from fruits and vegetables to fish and more. The atmosphere and people-watching are a draw by themselves, but visitors who have access to a kitchen will find a wide variety of fresh foods to inspire cooking projects. Don’t miss the local feta cheese.

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