The clear, calm Mediterranean sea, the relaxed pace of life, the delicious local cuisine and the fine climate make Kalamata a wonderful holiday destination for travelers of all ages. Early morning mountain walks; long, lazy lunches by the beach; cooling afternoon dips and dinner and drinks on the seafront are all part and parcel of a break in Kalamata, and this is a wonderful spot to just relax and get away from it all.

Accommodation in Kalamata

Many of Kalamata's better resorts are located away from the town center, but are within a few minutes' drive from the town and its attractions. The Messinian Bay Hotel, a three-star hotel five miles from the center of the town, is a relaxing spot with cool, well-equipped rooms, all of which have sea views. There are two pools for cooling down, and there are plenty of taxis into the center of Kalamata. In the town itself, the imposing neoclassical Rex Hotel is a good four-star option that provides easy access to the town center, and sights such as the ruined castle and 13th century church. For those fortunate enough to own a yacht, the Marina is a pleasant place to dock and meet up with other boat-owners.

Life's a Beach

The warm waters of the Mediterranean are key to Kalamata's appeal to tourists, and senior visitors are likely to spend a lot of time cooling down in the sea. The beach is made of pebbles rather than sand, so you'll want to hire a beach chair (or bring your own) along with plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat. The locals wade into the water wearing dramatically large sun hats - don't feel embarrassed about doing the same, it's a very wise move during the heat of summer. If you have access to a freezer, put bottles of water in there overnight and take them along to the beach, it will slowly melt, giving you wonderfully cold water all day.

Eating and Drinking

The local cuisine in Kalamata is delicious - making much use of fresh fish, seafood, meat, vegetables and fruit. Mezze - little dishes to share, similar to Spanish tapas - is a great way to sample several things from the menu. The dining scene is relaxed and informal, and most menus are in English as well as Greek. Although there are increasing numbers of youth-oriented bars springing up by the waterfront, there are still countless simple, traditional restaurants to choose from, and you'll be more than welcome to linger as long as you like over your food - try washing it down with a glass of local wine or an Ouzo, the local tipple, and don't forget to try a plateful of Kalamata olives - famous the world over.