mountain pass
Langada Pass
Legendary mountain road between Sparta and Kalamata, carving through the Langada Gorge over the Taygetus range: hairpins, sheer drops and some of the finest driving scenery in the Peloponnese.
19 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeGreecePeloponnese
Kalamata
Peloponnese, Greece · Europe
About Kalamata
Kalamata works well as a base: 10 minutes from Paralía Vérgas, 19km from Langada Pass.
Kalamata is in Peloponnese, Greece, with about 54,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Paralía Vérgas, about 5 km away.
Kalamata (Greek: Καλαμάτα [kalaˈmata]) is the second most populous city of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece after Patras, and the largest city of the homonymous administrative region. As the capital and chief port of the Messenia regional unit, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the MessenianRead more
Gulf.
The 2021 census recorded 72,906 inhabitants for the wider Kalamata Municipality, of which 66,135 resided in the municipal unit of Kalamata, and 58,816 in the city proper. Kalamata is renowned as the land of the Kalamatianos dance, Kalamata olives and Kalamata olive oil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kalamata?
Within an hour or so of Kalamata: Langada Pass (19 km), Mystras (23 km), Ancient Messene (23 km), Polylimnio Waterfalls (24 km).
Are there any good drives near Kalamata?
The nearest famous roads are Langada Pass.
Where is Kalamata?
Kalamata is in Peloponnese, Greece, about 5 km from Paralía Vérgas.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 54,100
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Greece
- Region
- Peloponnese
- Timezone
- Europe/Athens
- Coordinates
- 37.0391, 22.1126
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Greece
Tourist police (English-speaking): 171.
Full driving guide for GreeceTags
Worth the detour from Kalamata
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Mystras
A spectacular fortified Byzantine ghost city on a steep hillside near Sparta, with churches containing precious medieval frescoes.
23 km · about 25 min drive
ancient ruins
Ancient Messene
One of Greece's most complete and least-crowded ancient cities: a vast 4th-century-BC site with an intact stadium, theatre, agora and the massive Arcadian Gate, spread below the village of Mavromati.
23 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Polylimnio Waterfalls
A hidden gorge in Messenia holding a chain of some 15 waterfalls and jade swimming lakes with names like Kadi and Mavrolimna, linked by ladders and footpaths. Park above Kalochori-Haravgi village and descend into the ravine.
24 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Mani Peninsula
A wild, remote region of the southern Peloponnese with tower houses, Byzantine churches, and the mythical entrance to Hades at Cape Tainaron.
40 km · about 45 min drive
beach
Voidokilia Beach
A near-perfect Omega-shaped sandy bay in Messinia, ringed by dunes and a ruined castle above.
42 km · about 50 min drive
castle
Methoni Castle
A sprawling Venetian sea-fortress juts into the water on a causeway at the Peloponnese's tip.
44 km · about 50 min drive
photogenic
Limeni
The old harbour of Areopoli: a handful of stone houses and tavernas set directly on water so clear the fishing boats appear to float in air. Sea turtles cruise the shallows; the Mavromichalis clan tower still guards the bay.
46 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Kalamata
- 19 kmLangada PassLegendary mountain road between Sparta and Kalamata, carving through the Langada Gorge over the Taygetus range: hairpins, sheer drops and some of the finest driving scenery in the Peloponnese.
Driving in Greece
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.88/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€7.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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