Kavala Archives - Insights Greece

A Travel Guide to Kavala

As the flawless facade of Kavala city presented itself when we were approaching the city, one of my friends exclaimed “It feels as though we are on a ferry approaching an island, doesn’t it?” We didn’t have to respond to her question as she already knew the answer. Kavala may be on the Greek mainland, but it most certainly has that island vibe!

Once popular for its tobacco trade, Kavala boasts a remarkable collection of buildings scattered around the city, where people used to trade, process, and store tobacco in the 20th century. The city has everything you could want for a weekend getaway: a picturesque facade with colorful houses, a bustling waterfront lined with traditional Greek tavernas and cobbled streets built amphitheatrically around the bay to stroll through in the evenings.

Our travel guide to Kavala will help you get the most out of visiting this beautiful city!

Insights Greece - A Travel Guide to Kavala

How to get there and around

Situated Northeast of Thessaloniki, Kavala’s port is a focal point in the region of Eastern Macedonia and the entry to Eastern Greece, rightly known as ‘The Thermopyles of Macedonia’. You can fly directly from Athens, drive to it from the mainland or take the ferry from one of the islands.

Getting there by air: Kavala International Airport “Alexander the Great” (KVA) is located just 30km outside the city. It serves daily flights from Athens and International flights from England, Germany, Italy and other European countries. Flying from Athens takes an hour and costs a bit less than 100€.

Getting around by car: Hire a car and make the 150km journey from Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece. The journey takes about 2 hours and the ride is quite pleasant as you get to see more of the Aegean and Chalkidiki’s seaside.

Getting around by public transport: Macedonia bus station in Thessaloniki runs bus routes from Thessaloniki to Kavala about 10 times per day. The ticket costs 16€ and the ride duration is 2 hours and 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the ferry boat from Thassos and/or Limnos island.

A few ways to ways to soak up Kavala

Ouzo & seafood at the seafront.

The promenade along the waterfront is a lovely place to start exploring Kavala; the air is laden with the aroma of freshly grilled fish and seafood, and people at the ouzeries linger around tables, toasting their glasses and saying ‘Opa’ every now and then. We recommend Apiko, an old-school traditional restaurant with views of the port and the main street.

Get a Greek island feel on the mainland!

Walk around the 16th-century Aquaduct

A walk through the ‘Kamares’ (meaning Arches in Greek) will convince you that Kavala was once a prime city! The Aquaduct is the most characteristic monument in the city, the grandiose arches are 25m tall and have a length of 270 m stretching along the Old City.

Visit the Castle

Enjoy the panoramic views from the top of The Castle of Kavala! Built to protect the city from pirate attacks, the castle of Kavala is one of the city’s most popular destinations to visit. To get there you need to walk through narrow, uphill alleyways, passing old houses and exchanging pleasantries with some of the locals feeding the stray cats. Tip: pack some lunch with you, find a spot to sit and enjoy the views of the city and the port.

Wander through Panagia (Old City)

Wandering through the narrow streets of Panagia will take you a few centuries back as the old tobacco buildings in the area give you the feeling of having instantly travelled in the past. The majority of these beautiful buildings once belonged to tobacco traders – the legacy of the days when exporting tobacco fueled Kavala’s prosperity. Here, you will also find Muhhamed Ali’s house and the Imaret, a Muslim seminary built in 1821 to educate the less fortunate of the city regardless of their religion that has now been converted into a hotel.

Explore the Tobacco Museum

With artefacts and archived material relating to the cultivation and production of tobacco, this museum uniquely presents the history of technology and economy in Kavala and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Visit the City Hall

Resembling a miniature Hungarian tower, Kavala’s City Hall is most definitely one of the prettiest buildings in Greece. This Gothic revival building belonged to Hungarian tobacco trader Pierre Herzog, who used it as his residence and place of business. The building was purchased by the Municipality of Kavala in 1937 and since then it houses the City Hall.

Swim at Kalamitsa

Kalamitsa is the nearest beach to Kavala, it has a long sandy stretch and clean, shallow waters that make it ideal to visit with young children. There is a free car park just opposite the beach, plenty of changing rooms to use and cafes to have a nibble if you feel like doing so. There is also Batis beach next to Kalamitsa but the beach opening to the sea is much smaller and often too crowded to find a spot.

All Images by Anastasia Fountouli ©

A Guided Trek Tour Through Nestos Gorge

It’s a sunny Sunday and the early morning drive to Nestos riverside is filled with Abba songs, caffeine and excitement. A three-hour hike through Nestos Gorge is definitely something to be excited about!

River Nestos separates Macedonia from Thrace and flows into the Thracian Sea, in its famous Delta, which is a National Park. According to Greek mythology, Nestos (or Nessos), a name associated with the verb Nasso, was born at the beginning of time -before humans even existed- along with 12,456 rivers and 3,000 Nymphs. His father was Oceanus and his mother was Tethys.

Nestos is divided into two parts- the Nestos Gorge at Toxotes, Xanthi and the Nestos Delta at Chrysoupoli, Kavala. The views of both are quite frankly breathtaking.

Insights Greece - A Guided Trek Tour Through Nestos Gorge

We arrived at the meeting point, Nestos Adventure Park minutes before our guided trek group departed. The route is not a difficult one to follow but seeing as this was our first time, we figured it would be best to book tickets and go with a guided group- “jaywalking” is my middle name after all.

The sandy beach at the start of the tour, Galani Beach of Nestos, smelled like fresh river water and pine trees, a beautiful scent that set the mood for the rest of the day. We stopped to stare at the children playing on the shores and the adults about to embark on a kayak adventure. ‘This must be fun,” I exclaimed and my husband agreed that this would be next on our list of baby-free weekend activities.

The path across the river basin of Nestos on which we were currently loping certainly seemed rather narrower than I had been anticipating. But the golden alluvial land and the blue lagoon unfolding views ahead compensated for the lack of it.

We were only 10 minutes into our walk when we stopped to admire the views of the continual train tunnels- there are around thirty tunnels along the total stretch of the railway built by French engineers during the Ottoman Empire to create a route that connects Thessaloniki to Constantinople for the famous Orient Express train to pass through. The railway line does not operate anymore but these are a reminder of a once-famous train journey connecting not only the West and the East but also Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli with multiple picturesque villages in between.

Further down, the path was getting steeper but the views of the river meanders, the rocky gorge and the stunning mountain backdrop made it impossible not to feel humble and realise that this was perhaps one of the best hiking experiences I’ve ever had in my life! Bridges and 19th-century stone-built tunnels formed a setting that few can forget.

A few benevolent stray dogs accompanied us, wagging tails each time lunch-packed sandwiches made their appearance. After an hour we reached the Viewpoint Nestos Gorge and it was then that our guide shouted that we are halfway through the tour. The views from up here are spectacular – from one side you have the best valley and mountain views and from the other side you can see the stretch of the river. Unintentionally, we found ourselves gazing at the deep end of the mountain and experiencing a feeling of inner peace and solitude.

Even though there are many trek routes to follow, we chose the hiking route Toxotes – Kromniko, which took four hours to complete and get back to the starting point. The path was walkable and ideal for people of all fitness levels and ages. Among the many things we loved was crossing the riparian forest, watching free horses running in the mountain, having lunch outside the abandoned Kromniko train stop and admiring the three main meanders of the river, which, according to Greek mythology, were created while Nestos was looking for his way between the wild slopes of the mountains.

Once we made it back to the car park, we had a much-needed coffee break to gather some energy and loosen the muscle knots in our legs at Canteen Galani by the beach. The rest of the group went on to have a late lunch at the nearby taverna ‘Ta Tempi tou Nestou’ but we left as we had an hour’s drive to make it home.

This is the kind of weekend activities I want to see myself doing more of in 2022!

Tip: Dromeas Thrakis organises guided tours take place every two weeks. You can find more information or book your tickets here.

Images by Anastasia Fountouli © (Copyright)

Greece Greece travel Greece travel guides Greek mainland Kavala Macedonia Mainland Greece Nestos Nestos Gorge Nestos River Thrace Xanthi

Kavala’s Historical and Luxurious Hotel

Set in a stunning location within a historical monument that was built in the 19th Century, Imaret in Kavala is a luxurious hotel that blends original Ottoman architecture with modern grandeur and is considered one of the most exclusive hotels in Greece.

Originally built in 1817 as a school, gifted from Muhammad Ali Pasha (governor of Egypt) to the town of Kavala (his birthplace)- in 2005 it was beautifully restored with all the modern comforts- and has become a stunning hideaway, overlooking the town’s port.

From the moment guests arrive, they are treated to first-class services and made to feel right at home- with friendly hosts ensuring they enjoy the tranquility and serenity that surrounds them.

Location

With views of the Gulf of Kavala, Imaret is around a five-minute walk from the ancient Castle of Kavala and is located up a steep road fronting onto the sea, boasting stunning views over the bay and bright city lights. Kavala, Northern Greece is around a 1.5-hour drive from Thessaloniki and is a city filled with rich history and beautiful surroundings.

Insights Greece - Kavala's Historical and Luxurious Hotel

Style & Feel

Uniquely designed and decorated, this high-end hotel has a palatial feel and features domed ceilings, and fountains surrounding a small swimming pool that graces an inner courtyard. There’s around 3,000 sqm of internal flora and marble arcades, reflecting the charm of the original Islamic gardens. Due to its character and authentic architectural style, Imaret is the ideal getaway for guests seeking peace, seclusion, and privacy.

Rooms

Rooms and suites lie beneath the graceful domes of the original construction, surrounding inner gardens and marble arcades reflecting the charm of an original Islamic yard. Each bedroom has its own character that transports guests into another era with sculptured fireplaces, luxurious chandeliers, vaulted high ceilings, and the warmth of Persian rugs on the floor.

Food & Drinks

In the evening, Imaret’s superb fine dining menu is complemented by an impressive wine list. Guests can enjoy beautifully prepared meals on the private terrace, whilst admiring stunning views of Kavala and the sea. The fresh ingredients and rich flavours of Anatolian cuisine are curated from 200 neighbouring monastery and family recipes with fresh salads and seasonal desserts served at the place of your choosing. There is also a glamorous bar that features a library with a wide selection of history books, which sets an arty scene for guests to enjoy their drink of choice.

Amenities

On-site is an upscale restaurant, a sophisticated glass-enclosed cocktail bar, gardens and a terrace. A luxe spa features an original hammam and an impressive wellbeing centre that offers treatments with relaxation benefits. Sounds and scents interact to help restore harmony to body and spirit.

Ideal for…

Imaret is the ideal getaway for guests seeking peace, seclusion, privacy, quality service and strict hygiene. It’s the perfect place for a romantic escape, a cultural journey, or anyone for a place that offers space for complete rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.

Facilities & Services

Spa & massages
Pool
Restaurant and bar
Wifi
Free toiletries
Minibar
Free Parking
Room Service
Laundry service
Tailoring service

Greece hotels Greece travel Imaret Imaret hotel Kavala Kavala hotels luxury hotels luxury hotels Greece Macedonia Thessaoliniki

14 Greek Regional Airports Receive Major Upgrades

Many popular Greek airports are ready to welcome visitors again- as the huge upgrades are designed to greatly enhance the passenger experience of local and international travellers.

Fraport Greece launched the airport development program in April 2017, with 11 island and three mainland airports across Greece receiving major upgrades as part of the innovative €440 million airport development program.

Having finished three months ahead of schedule, the completion includes five brand new terminals, the expansion and modernisation of five existing terminals, and upgrades of four other terminals. Construction projects at airside operational areas of the regional airports included renovating 12 runways, improving ramp areas, and constructing and renovating 12 fire stations. All of the airports have also been equipped with new state-of-the-art baggage handling and security detection systems.

Construction projects were completed at the airports of Zakynthos, Chania (Crete) and Kavala. Also on the mainland, Aktion Airport’s terminal had a complete overhaul, on the island of Samos, the airport terminal was modernised and expanded and Skiathos Airport has been completely refurbished and enlarged.

Odysseas Elytis Airport in Mytilini features a new terminal and similarly the new terminal at Kefalonia offers some 10,700 square meter of space for passenger comfort, including more services, a 70% increase in the number of check-in counters, and twice as many security checkpoints and departure gates.

On Mykonos, the redesigned terminal is now 50% bigger and combines traditional Cycladic architectural highlights with modern airport facilities. As a result, there is more space for check-in counters, departure gates, as well as a unique ambiance with attractive amenities.

On Rhodes, the airport has also been upgraded to offer world-class services. The terminal has a larger check-in area, plus more security checkpoints and baggage belts, a wider choice of shopping and dining. The apron in front of the terminal was also redesigned for improved operations.

Similarly, in the second quarter of 2020 Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport opened a new terminal and the islands of Kos and Santorini also underwent major redevelopment.

Final construction works were also completed at Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport, the largest airport in Fraport Greece’s portfolio. This €100 million development has created a new terminal complex that is said to rival Europe’s most popular airports. The new terminal is linked via skyway bridges to the redesigned existing terminal – doubling the amount of terminal space available. More check-in space, twice as many departure gates, and a wide range of restaurants, cafes and shops now shape a completely new environment at the international gateway to Greece’s second largest city.

Marking the official completion of the construction program, Fraport Greece CEO, Alexander Zinell announced, “The completion of this emblematic, €440-million construction program of 2021 fills me with pride and optimism. These airports will serve as a catalyst for re-starting the vital Greek tourist industry. I am confident that these new state-of-the-art airport facilities will fully welcome and satisfy travellers wishing to explore the beauties of this magnificent country.”

*Images: Fraport Greece

Chania Corfu Crete Greece Greece travel Greek airports Greek holiday Kavala Kos Mykonos Rhodes Santorini Thessaloniki Zakynthos

It’s a sunny Sunday and the early morning drive to Nestos riverside is filled with Abba songs, caffeine and excitement. A three-hour hike through Nestos Gorge is definitely something to be excited about!

Set in a stunning location within a historical monument that was built in the 19th Century, Imaret in Kavala is a luxurious hotel that blends original Ottoman architecture with modern grandeur and is considered one of the most exclusive hotels in Greece.

Many popular Greek airports are ready to welcome visitors again- as the huge upgrades are designed to greatly enhance the passenger experience of local and international travellers.

The Athens Guide