Southern coast of Greece’s Peloponnese

Sitting on the southern coast of Greece’s Peloponnese and facing out to the Messenian Gulf, Kalamata is world famous for its olives and its oil. Scratch the surface, however, and you’ll soon find a modern provincial capital with long sandy beaches nearby and relaxed civilised living by the waterfront.

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Must see:
Pay a visit to the Kalograion monastery and stop by at its famous silk-weaving workshop, home to beautiful Kalamata scarves.

Must eat at:
Take your pick. Hit Aristomenous, the town’s main square, for a seemingly endless array of bars, cafes and eateries. Or head out to Oasis in Yialova for the taste of just-caught fish and seafood, all grilled to perfection, and mixed-up with superb sea views.

Must be there for:
Every March, the city celebrates being among the first in modern Greece to liberate itself from Ottoman rule (in 1821) with a large (and loud) series of battle re-enactments. A whole set of celebrations – religious as well as civil - mark the event across the city.

Well-travelled tips:
· To see a world-class dig in progress, head out of town just a few kilometres in search of ancient Messini
· Taking the sea air in Kalamata is a local tradition – the locals’ ‘resort’ is Navarinou Street... perfect for a bracing morning jog or an evening stroll.

Visa:
British citizens do not need a visa to visit Greece.