Kalamata’s history starts from Homer, who mentions Fares, an ancient town built around where it is now the castle of the city. Following the fourth crusade, Kalamata was conquered by Frankish Crusaders who built castles that intersperse the contemporary landscape of Kalamata and the surrounding area. The city, along with the entire country was captured by the Venetian forces in 1751; under the Venetian rule, the area was transformed into a commercially and economically thriving trade center.

The Turks took over the booming city in 1715, and governed it until the Greek War of Independence in 1821. On March 23, 1821, Kalamata was the first city in Greece to be freed from Turkish occupation. The city was occupied by the Germans during the second world-war. A powerful earthquake rocked the area in 1986. After several years, despite extensive damages, Kalamata emerged as a modern vibrant city.

The town has modern sports facilities, a state-of-the-art hospital and an international airport. Kalamata hosts several premiere cultural events, including the International Dance Festival, and is the preferred destination of major medical conferences. Kalamata is famous for the world renowned “Kalamata” olives, and other culinary delicacies, that one can enjoy at a plethora of cafes throughout the city and by the sea.

Weather

The area has a temperate Mediterranean climate with warm winter and mild summers. The average temperature in Kalamata in June is 23°C.

Accessibility

Kalamata is 239 km south of Athens. The trip by car from the Athens airport lasts about two hours. A shared taxi to Kalamata costs about $30. One can also take a bus from the intercity bus station of Athens for southern Greece

The bus ride takes about 2.5 hours and the cost is around €25. Kalamata is also connected by air with Athens, Thessaloniki, Munich, Stockholm, Moscow, Amsterdam, Prague, London, Milan, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Vienna, Manchester, etc. via scheduled flights and flight charters. The airport of Kalamata "Captain Vassilis Konstantakopoulos" (Kakleas) is about 9 km west of the city of Kalamata, in the NR Kalamata-Messina.

The cost for round trip transportation Heathrow (London) – Kalamata – Heathrow (London) with luggage is estimated to €295. The round trip cost for local airlines that serve the route Athens – Kalamata – Athens is estimated to €125 with luggage and €105 with handbag only.

Kalamata is the gateway to Mani, which is only a short drive away. The internationally famous caves at Pyrgos Dyrou are located south of Areopolis and attract tourists from all over the world. The southernmost point of the European mainland, Cape Tenaro - called by the ancient Greeks the "Gates of Hades" - is about 50 km south of Kalamata and the town of Vathia, with its massive stone towers, is also nearby. The region to the south is famous for the stone towered villages that make such striking pictures.

East of Kalamata, is the city of Sparta. The road to Sparta goes through the breath-taking terrain of mountain Taygetos (elevation of 2400 m).

West of Kalamata, a short local bus ride away, is Koroni (with its imposing castle). North to West: a short drive gets you to Olympia, site of the original (ancient) Olympics. Even closer is the site of Ancient Messini, which has undergone major reconstruction and offers an ancient theater.