Kalamata, Greece Cruises

Kalamata, Greece Cruise Port

This port rests on a small harbor town not too far from the city of Kalamata, the second most populous city on the Peloponnese peninsula. With nearly 70,000 inhabitants, the vast majority living in the city proper, there is much to do in this vibrant municipality. Many shops and cafes line the streets leading down to a coastal area that hosts bathers during the day and clubbers and barflies at night. Aside from the modern appeal, Kalamata offers historic buildings and architecture that date back to the 13^th century, including the Church of Agioi Apostoloi, the Castle of Kalamata, and the Holy Monastery of the Ioannis Prodromos. It’s also renowned for world-famous olives and pasteli—a sesame seed and sugar candy usually in bar form. The Kalamatianos dance style and silk kerchiefs also hold root in the town and are cultural reminders of the region’s rich heritage.

• The Archaeological Museum of Messenia offers antiquities from prehistoric times to the Byzantine Empire era. It also preserved a 1742 Venetian building that originally collapsed during a 1986 earthquake.
   
• Originally a private collection, the Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes offers a plethora of costumes worn by Greek men and women from many different eras and regions.
   
• Forge the many great rivers in the area with kayaking, canoeing, rafting, or tubing. Pick your pleasure and find the rental right for you.
   
• Explore the ruins of Messene down excavated paths through the ruins, leading to an ancient stadium left almost entirely intact which surrounds the remains of a gymnasium.