Kalamata city, Kalamata olives, beaches and more
During our two-week stay, we went around and explore Messinia in a semi-circle southwestern, from Kalamata to Kiparissia.
Kalamata is the capital of Messinia, and after Patras the second largest city on the Peloponnese.
It was built at the foot of the mountain Taygetos in the heart of Messinian Bay.
This is a modern city with public services, universities, hospitals and international airport.
It is best to go to Kalamata before noon or in the evening, as most stores has twice working hours (working for examle 8:12 and 16:20). There are also stores with extremely unusual working hours, on certain days they are working twice- in the morning and in the afternoon, and on some days only in the morning. Cafes and restaurants, of course, are open all the time and you will see a lot of young, smiling and beautiful people sitting, hanging out and enjoying themselves.
The city is zoned so you will need a parking ticket or, you can (as we did), leave your car for free in one of the parking lots in front of the buildings below the railway park, a unique outdoor museum.
Exiting Kalamata when heading southwest you will first come across Bouka beach which is one of the largest and best organized beaches of Messinian Bay, but as the Paw traveler group likes a little bit more privacy we moved on.
Further along Bouka beach, two and a half kilometers from the village of Velika, passing through the reed area, you will find a long sandy shore - Velika beach.
Fine golden sand and trees on the beach makes Velika an ideal place for those who want to cool off and relax in the waters of the Messinian Gulf.
The road further takes you to the Petalidi, a place we mentioned earlier in the post Magical MESSINIA - PELOPONESSE - Part One.
As you are driving through Messinia you will see olive groves everywhere, so be sure to drop to one of the private homes and buy for yourself or as a gift the world-famous Kalamata olives.
These olives are named after the region around Kalamata where they are produced, and Messinia is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate with long sunshine periods, making it ideal for olive growing.
Kalamata olives are harvested when they are ripe and by hand, and are known by their oval shape, dark purple color and intense flavor.
Very bitter in taste, Kalamata olives cannot be eaten immediately. We have been told that they are usually put in a solution of salt water and olive oil for the fermentation process to work.
The process can take up to several months, after which the olives get their rich and unique taste. Only then they are ideal for consumption.
If you have already come to Messinia, be sure to visit Koroni, a small, lovely and authentic town with an island atmosphere which is located at the southern end of Messinian Bay.
Take a walk through its narrow streets, which are interconnected and crossed by stairs.
Walk down slowly to the picturesque port of Koroni and continue along the long, semi-circular street crammed with tavernas and shops to the remains of the old fortress.
You will be delighted by the interior of the town that has retained its historical identity, its white-washed houses and the square surrounding it with shops, public services, banks, bakeries, fish markets ...
Don't miss to eat cake at ''To Athinaikon''.
We have tried seven different types and they were all fantastic (cake prices range from 2 to 2.5 euros).
And of course, be sure to stop by the "Byzantine" cafeteria and drink traditional Greek coffee sitting by the sea (Greek coffee costs 1 euro).
Beaches in this region that you should not miss are definitely Peroulia, Kalamaki and Agia Triada.
Peroulia is a sandy beach with relatively shallow waters, making it suitable for families with young children.
The beach is long and wide so there are no crowds, and the water is beautiful and crystal clear.
There is a restaurant on the beach and a beach bar with sun loungers open until late at night. The cost of the deck chair is 6 euros both, day and night. This beach is reached through the village of Vounaria.
Kalamaki beach is a small beach south of Koroni below the village of Vasilitsi.
It is located at the end of the road that ends almost at the edge of the first "prong" of the Peloponnese in the Gulf of Messinia.
Kalamaki beach is covered with pebbles and sand and the water is blue and crystal clear.
This is not an organized beach, there are no deck chairs or umbrellas, so you need to bring with you all the necessary things.
Besides that, it would be good to bring your own water and food as there are no shops or cafes on Kalamaki Beach. You can park your car just above the beach.
Agia Triada is a beach for those who are looking for something different, and in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in this area.
The road that leads to this beach is not great because the beach is located deep below the cliff, but worth it because you will discover a hidden paradise of unique beauty.
The beach is not organized, so prepare everything and bring it with you before you come here and start enjoying the crystal clear waters without stress.
You can park your car at the extension above the beach, and then you have to go down about a hundred meters on foot following the path. This beach can be reached from the village of Charokopio.
More about beaches in Messinia you can read in part FOUR .
 |
| Paw traveller |
Kalamata is the capital of Messinia, and after Patras the second largest city on the Peloponnese.
It was built at the foot of the mountain Taygetos in the heart of Messinian Bay.
This is a modern city with public services, universities, hospitals and international airport.
 |
| Paw traveller- Kalamata |
The city is zoned so you will need a parking ticket or, you can (as we did), leave your car for free in one of the parking lots in front of the buildings below the railway park, a unique outdoor museum.
Exiting Kalamata when heading southwest you will first come across Bouka beach which is one of the largest and best organized beaches of Messinian Bay, but as the Paw traveler group likes a little bit more privacy we moved on.
 |
| Paw traveller- Velika beach |
Fine golden sand and trees on the beach makes Velika an ideal place for those who want to cool off and relax in the waters of the Messinian Gulf.
The road further takes you to the Petalidi, a place we mentioned earlier in the post Magical MESSINIA - PELOPONESSE - Part One.
 |
| Paw traveller |
These olives are named after the region around Kalamata where they are produced, and Messinia is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate with long sunshine periods, making it ideal for olive growing.
 |
| Paw traveller- Koroni |
Very bitter in taste, Kalamata olives cannot be eaten immediately. We have been told that they are usually put in a solution of salt water and olive oil for the fermentation process to work.
The process can take up to several months, after which the olives get their rich and unique taste. Only then they are ideal for consumption.
If you have already come to Messinia, be sure to visit Koroni, a small, lovely and authentic town with an island atmosphere which is located at the southern end of Messinian Bay.
Take a walk through its narrow streets, which are interconnected and crossed by stairs.
Walk down slowly to the picturesque port of Koroni and continue along the long, semi-circular street crammed with tavernas and shops to the remains of the old fortress.
 |
| Paw traveller- Koroni |
Don't miss to eat cake at ''To Athinaikon''.
We have tried seven different types and they were all fantastic (cake prices range from 2 to 2.5 euros).
And of course, be sure to stop by the "Byzantine" cafeteria and drink traditional Greek coffee sitting by the sea (Greek coffee costs 1 euro).
Beaches in this region that you should not miss are definitely Peroulia, Kalamaki and Agia Triada.
Peroulia is a sandy beach with relatively shallow waters, making it suitable for families with young children.
 |
| Paw traveller- Peroulia |
There is a restaurant on the beach and a beach bar with sun loungers open until late at night. The cost of the deck chair is 6 euros both, day and night. This beach is reached through the village of Vounaria.
 |
| Paw traveller- Kalamaki beach |
It is located at the end of the road that ends almost at the edge of the first "prong" of the Peloponnese in the Gulf of Messinia.
Kalamaki beach is covered with pebbles and sand and the water is blue and crystal clear.
This is not an organized beach, there are no deck chairs or umbrellas, so you need to bring with you all the necessary things.
Besides that, it would be good to bring your own water and food as there are no shops or cafes on Kalamaki Beach. You can park your car just above the beach.
 |
| Paw traveller- Agia Triada beach |
The road that leads to this beach is not great because the beach is located deep below the cliff, but worth it because you will discover a hidden paradise of unique beauty.
The beach is not organized, so prepare everything and bring it with you before you come here and start enjoying the crystal clear waters without stress.
 |
| Paw traveller- Agia Triada beach |
More about beaches in Messinia you can read in part FOUR .
Comments
Post a Comment