Things to do in Kalamata

Navarino Bay lies in front of the town of Pylos. It is a natural harbor where the island of Sphacteria stands as a wave breaker, protecting the bay from winds of the open Ionian Sea. The bay offers ideal conditions for Sea Kayaking trips, especially for beginners. The bay itself is a place of incredible natural beauty, with an impressive landscape, warm, crystal clear, waters and golden sandy beaches where sea turtles often return to lay their eggs. Sea kayaking here is a must definitely do without a doubt. Meet your guides at Divari beach just a few kilometers away from the charming village of Gialova. Your guide will brief you on paddling techniques, safety measures, and equipment. Soon we shall hop on our kayaks for a trip around the Navarino bay like never before. Heading west we paddle towards the imposing Rock, the islet located at the south side of the bay. The Rock is also a place of nesting and resting place for many species of birds. We admire its impressive natural stone arch and visit a few of its sea caves and galleries. Our next stop is the unhabituated island of Sphacteria. Here, we jump out of our kayaks, stretch our legs and walk to the island’s viewpoint for taking pictures of an idyllic landscape and for story-telling. A few minutes later we shall make a stop at a secluded beach for swimming and snorkeling, and why not some cliff diving for those who feel more adventurous. Here we shall also taste our homemade picnic of local delicacies and relax under the sun. After this energy pumped stop, we will paddle back to the starting point to end an amazing day in the tranquility of Navarino Bay.

Spend the day exploring the blue waters of Messinian Bay on a private sailboat with friends and family. Take a dip in cool little coves and dry off on remote sandy beaches. Pick music to set the mood or just listen to the wind in the sails. Meet your captain in Kalamata Marina and let your day on the water begin. This full-day trip is flexible, depending on both the wind conditions and the preferences of the group. Enjoy a light meal onboard accompanied by beer and drinks. Snorkeling gear is available for those wanting to explore the world beneath the waves. For those wishing to relax, sit back and enjoy the sun from the deck of the sailboat.

Start your small group tour at the arranged meeting point: the magnificent 13th century castle of Androusa, located in the heart of Messinia, just a 20 minute drive from Kalamata and 10 minutes from Ancient Messene. Begin with beautiful olive walks to provide as an overview of the amazing olive groves of Messinia. Witness the olive trees as the guide tells you about the history, the tradition, and the mythical stories of the castle olive trees. The olive grove is the next visit. Walk though the groves and marvel the perennial olive trees. Learn about the different varieties of olive trees in the area and discover the story of the Messinian land as recorded on the stems. In the center of Androusa Village, visit a unique olive oil press and mill, located there for more than 120 years. The fifth generation owner will explain the procedure of extraction, the storage, and standardization process of extra virgin olive oil. Next, join a tasting session, where a dining table is filled with the special blue olive oil tasting glasses ready for you to try. Taste the extra virgin olive oil of 'Koroneiki' variety and learn about its organoleptic characteristics. Learn to recognize the elements that define the extra virgin olive oil. Taste different varieties of Greek extra virgin olive oil, such us 'Manaki', 'Xalkidikis', 'Mavroelia', and evaluate their flavours. What about food? The extra virgin olive oil of different varieties is matched with traditional recipes including fruit, gourmet small dishes, as well as tzatziki, kalamata olives, olive paste, lalagia, pasto (smoked ham) and local cheeses. Enjoy a unique experience in the historic olive groves, and learn about the history, the soul, the tradition, and the gastronomy of Messinia.

Visit the Ancient Messene Archaeological Site, a must-see for any trip to the southern Peloponnese. Discover the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Messene and the ruins of this ancient Greek city, including its sanctuaries, public buildings, imposing fortifications, houses, and tombs. Discover countless mosaics, engravings, and restored buildings that will help you visualize the history of this impressive site. Take in the beauty of the mountains and the tranquil surroundings. Admire the dominating Ithome limestone, the site of the ancient acropolis and one of the largest theaters of the ancient Greek world, dating back to the 3rd century B.C.

Explore the Gulf of Navarino on an evening hiking tour with van pickup at your hotel in Kalamata. Learn about the facinating military history of the Gulf of Navarino from your guide. Look for local wildlife, swim at Voidokilia beach and have dinner in a Greek tavern.  Be picked up from the comfort of your hotel in the center of Kalamata and sit back and relax in the spacious and airconditioned van. Take in the stunning Greek countryside on way to the beginning of the hiking trail. Admire views of the  see the old Navarino castle. Start from from the bottom hill and make your way to the top at a leisurely pace. On Keep an eye out for migratory birds like flamingos, ospreys, and royal eagles that travel between Europe and Africa at the Gialova lagoon. Stop for a refreshing dip at the most photographed and well known beach in Greece, Voidokilia beach. Continue to the top of a hill where you can marvel at views of Voidokilia beach, Gialova lagoon, the city of Pylos and the Ionian sea. Have some fresh fruits while learning about the history of the area from 425 BC to today. Finish your tour with a authentic meal in a a Greek tavern right next to the coast before returning to your accommodation.

Your experience will begin with a guided tour around the facilities of the farm. You’ll find out all about the sustainable farming methods and techniques at the farm, and will also discover the story and the people behind this great concept. Following your tour, you will take a stroll around the gardens to pick fresh, organic veggies and feel closer to nature than ever. After you've picked vegetables to your heart's content, it will be time to learn how to make delicious traditional meals throughout a 3-hour cooking class. Assisted by local chefs who’ll share their experience with you, you’ll get to create special dishes using local products. Following the cooking class comes the highlight of the tour, as you feast on a traditional meal that includes 3 appetizers and a main dish. All meals are accompanied by organic wine from the vineyards as well as unique drinks, such as the farm's own homemade lemonade. Following lunch, you will visit the Greek Women Cooperative in a small village near the farm in the Laconia region.

Experience the thrill of rock climbing on a day trip to the Kardamili climbing site from Kalamata, with hotel transfers included. Take on a variety of climbs depending on your experience and enjoy scenic views on your ascent. Enjoy the support and guidance of a certified instructor to keep you safe. Meet your guide in the center of Kalamata, then set off to Kardamili. On the way, admire the diverse and rocky landscape of West Mani. After reaching the village, get set up with your climbing equipment and embark on a unique climbing experience. Explore the climbing site consisting of 3 fields with 33 routes of low and medium difficulty, some of them reaching as much as 60 meters in height. Admire the limestone rock with lots of vegetation at the base. Enjoy an excursion aimed at both beginner and adept climbers, aimed at providing you with professional guidance, all the climbing equipment, and belaying.

Your tour will begin with a guided tour around the facilities of the farm throughout which you will find out all about the sustainable farming methods and techniques. Following that, take a majestic stroll through the vineyards and olive groves. Some of the olive trees have been standing on this land for more than 500 years, and you’ll also discover the history and the mentality behind organic farming. It will then be time to discover the rich taste and texture of fresh, extra virgin olive oil and the Greek olive varieties. This unique olive oil experience will teach you how to distinguish among the various olive oil varieties, as well as how to choose the best one for your cooking or dinner table. You’ll also receive tips from the resident experts on how to best store your olive oil. Next up you’ll get to taste 5 different labels of organic wines: Agiorgitiko, Avgoustiatis, Athyri, Kydonitsa, and Moschofilero. Your wine sommelier will guide you through the whole experience and introduce to you to the magnificent world of organic wines. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover varieties unknown outside of Greece, allowing you to embark on a beautiful journey through the unique Greek terroir.

Lagada's climbing park is located at 800 meters altitude on the 45th kilometer of the Kalamata-Sparta mountainous national road. Set off for a half-day of climbing on a wide variety of routes within a spectacular setting. Benefit from included hotel pickup and drop-off in Kalamata. The Lagada climbing park is the pride and glory of the greater Peloponnese area because of the variety of grades on excellent quality limestone, combined with its enchanting location. Get picked up from Kalamata and head to one of Greece's most beautiful sport-climbing parks. From 1999 to the present day, approximately 100 sport routes ranging from 5a to 8c+ have been developed on five different fields. For the past 15 years, the local team has organized events, maintained existing routes, and developed new ones. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned climber, you will have an unforgettable experience at Lagada.

Your experience will begin with a guided tour of the workshop, including the traditional food preparation area, the cookware museum, and the library. You can leaf through old cookbooks and view rare 19th-century photos in the library, or take a step back in time and get a taste of village life back in the 1900s in the museum. Following that, you’ll get to pick fresh vegetables from the garden. You may then choose to participate in cooking classes with Rita, a local cook, to learn how to make traditional hylopites (egg pasta), trahana (fermented milk pasta), spoon sweets, jams, pasteli (sesame seed bars) and other local delights. Following your cooking class, you’ll have lunch at the restaurant where you’ll feast on local products from the workshop and other local producers. The meal includes appetizers, mains, and dessert, accompanied by organic wine, soft drinks, Greek coffee, or tea. You’ll then get the chance to find more than 50 local delicacies at the gift shop, including walnut kourabiethes, melomakarona, skaltsounia, pasta, spoon sweets, pine honey, local myzithra cheese, and Greek herbs and spices. Following the gift shop, enjoy a stroll through the small cobblestone lanes and immerse yourself in the local culture. Find out the local history of the small village and the humble beginnings of the workshop back in 1980, and take the opportunity to visit the local Greek Primary School Museum.