Kalamata city,a Greek paradise!
When I first saw the Kalamata city in Greece,was Augus,t a sunny warm summer day. From the first moment i felt something magic and i knew that i would fall in love with Kalamata. Since then I always return here every August for over 18 years now..Surrounded by the deep green Taygetos mountain and the Messinian bay with blue and totally clean waters ,the 5km of golden sand awarded beach,and the promise that you will have the best holidays of your life,Kalamata calls you to explore her and live in her rhythm.
First of all let’s explain how you arrive here. There are plenty of options,many flights every day arrive in Kalamata’s modern airport every day from and to all Europe. You can also arrive in Athens airport,Venizelos,and then take the bus for kalamata from Kifissos bus station and arrive in Kalamata in a fantastic route near the sea in about 2.30 hours maximum.The other option is through cruise ship,thousands of people visit every summer Kalamata through cruise.
Kalamata is a city,a destination that combines perfectly the tradition with the modern life,the 3000 years of history and the luxury living. I remember when I first came here with my dad,he took me to the 23th March square,the all season heart of the city. It is named 23th March because from here began the Greek independence revolution against the over 400 years slavery from Turkish and it’s a symbol for all Greeks.
Here you can visit the Archeological museum,the art museum,and the really large Ypapanti church where thousands of visitors come every year to see this. And of course here you will find the Agioi Apostoloi church since Byzantium era,since 900 years ago and it’s still like then!!!!
In this traditional square you can enjoy your coffee,visit the plenty small shops with fantastic local herbs like Taygetos oregano and tea,that smell extremely beautiful. One of the things you really have to do its taste one of the local snacks,Lalagia. I can’t even describe their taste ,just ask for them and you will remember me for ever!!!Trust me!!!One of the many things that made me love this city is that in every corner you smells fresh coffee,called greek coffee, fresh baked sweets like galaktompoureko and diples,full with pure honey syrup,and fresh sea and mountain air.
If you walk about 200 metres north from the 23th March square,you will find the historical castle of the city with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and a beautiful forest.10 metres away from the 23th square is the commercial heart of the city,the big luxury Aristomenous square. Here we tasted great coffee and pies,it is full of banks,stores,shops,cafes,marble monuments and you can enjoy great walks here with foot or bikes. To understand what we mean i have to say that Kalamata’s population is about 60.000 people,and 35.000 of them walk,meet or work here every day!!!!!
After our walk here we went straight to the city beach. And that was,my dream came true in few seconds. It was about 7pm and the Kalathi mountain was lighted by the orange sun lights,the sea was calm,fresh sea air,with deep blue colour,children were playing with the golden sand,young people were swimming and elders was eating fresh ice cream.
I was sitting enjoying the view and this paradise for about half an hour like living in a dream,until my friends called me to sit in a restaurant in beach Navarinou street , near the sea to eat one of the most delicious local dishes I ever tasted,gournopoula!!!!!
What is gourounopoulo and why locals love it like crazy? Gournopoula is pork meat,baked in stone ovens with woods in the traditional way,for many hours,with a lot of oregano,salt and garlic,and the result is directly came from heaven.
We ordered this delicious food,greek salad,and many other things,like ouzo and beer,and we enjoyed our meal.
It was night now and the night clubs was just beginning the party.Kalamata It’s not just another city,it’s a way of life,and you have to visit her at least once in your life,you will fall in love from the very first moment just like i did many years ago!!
