Car & Van Hire - Kalamata

Kalamata's tourist attractions reflect the city's rich history. On the northern side of town, the Castro contains the remains of a medieval castle, an Orthodox monastery and an ancient amphitheatre.

Across from the castle is Kalamata's wet market. In addition to fresh local produce, here you'll find small eateries and shops where you can buy the region's most well-known products: olives, olive oil, wine and raisins. Near the Castro is Plateia, Kalamata's historical centre, characterised by wide pedestrian streets, green spaces and historical buildings.

History and culture buffs will enjoy exploring the exhibits at Modern Greek Art Gallery, Kalamata's Folklore Museum, the Archaeological Museum and Victoria Karelias Collection of Traditional Greek Costumes.

Kalamata and its surroundings are blessed with spectacular coastal landscapes. Several beaches extend to both sides of the marina. Sandy beaches like Bouka and Velika are found going west towards Messini. Driving east, you'll mainly come across pebble beaches like those at Almiros, Santova and Foneas. If you've arranged a car or van hire in Kalamata, the best thing to do is venture down the Mani peninsula without a fixed destination and allow yourself to be surprised by the views you'll find along the way.

The Kalamata region offers more than coastal landscapes. This area is nestled between the sea and the Taygetos mountains, where some peaks reach 2,500 metres. In this mountain range, accessible with a car hire in Kalamata, you'll find alpine meadows, gorges and valleys that are perfect for spring or autumn hikes.

Greece is a family-friendly destination, and Kalamata is no exception. Visitors with children will find plenty of things to do, from spending a fun day at the city beach to kayaking, sailing, or exploring the castles of Koroni and Methoni, located a 1-hour drive west of Kalamata. Another option involves driving 30 minutes to the small town of Androusa, which is surrounded by olive groves. Here you can arrange a tour of the local olive oil factory and take a family cooking class.

Kalamata's tavernas are the best place to sample Greek cuisine. You'll find a variety of tavernas and restaurants near the Archaeological Museum. Moreover, Greece has a big outdoor cafe culture, so you may want to join the locals and watch the world go by at Kalamata's seaside eateries and cafes. Wine lovers will enjoy sampling local wines or, even better, following the wine route that goes west from Kalamata to Marathopoli on the Ionian Sea.

The main shopping street is Aristomenous in the historical centre, where you'll find a mix of international and Greek brands. In addition, there are two major Greek department stores on Aristomenous' northern side, Notos Gallery and Hondos Center.

Some of the most important events in Kalamata are Easter and Carnival. As for cultural events, the most well-known are the International Puppet Festival (May), Kalamata Dance Festival (July) and Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival (October).

The best advice for first-time visitors who plan to drive in Greece is to drive defensively. This means constantly scanning the road for unexpected hazards and staying to the right of the lane. It's also important to be aware of local driving habits, like using hazard lights to signal anything from looking for a parking spot to turning unexpectedly or stopping in the middle of the road after a blind corner. The latter is worth remembering when driving on mountain roads near Kalamata, like the road to Sparta and the Taygetos mountain range.

Keep a close eye on motorcycles, which are plentiful in Greece and tend to overtake in dangerous spots. When driving in the city, look out for parked or double-parked cars, as drivers often open their doors without checking for incoming vehicles.

Despite the local habits, punishment for infractions involves steep fines, especially for speeding, breaking overtaking rules and driving through red lights or stop signs. Fines for drunk driving vary depending on breathalyser results and can exceed 1,000 Euros for drivers well above the legal limit of alcohol content, as well as potential licence suspension and imprisonment.

The speed limit when driving on motorways like the A7 (one of the major roads around Kalamata) is 120 km/h. On national roads like road 82, which you'll need for many of the tourist landmarks outside of Kalamata, the maximum speed is 90 km/h, although this may be lower when going over mountain passes. In built-up areas, the speed limit is always 50 km/h.

Lastly, remember that there are several toll gates along the A7 between Kalamata, Sparta and Corinth. Cash and card payments are accepted.