Heading to Messinia with Kalamata as our final stop was an easy choice. The draw was clear: a straightforward journey from Athens, the allure of stunning natural scenery, and the promise of unwinding in a lively yet tranquil city packed with culture and discoveries. Once we settled on our destination, the next step was figuring out our travel arrangements. Lacking a personal vehicle, renting a car was the obvious solution, and we knew exactly where to find the best deal

25

We were certain Avis would have just what we needed, so without hesitation, we chose a comfortable, sturdy, premium SUV from Avis.gr to fully enjoy the drive. Utilizing their Quick Pass system online streamlined our booking process, quickly setting up our pickup at the station.

Our route began on the smooth Athens-Kalamata highway, and we decided to enrich our trip with a detour to Ancient Messene. Opting for a car that was both dynamic and fuel-efficient made us even more excited about the adventures ahead.

Exploring Ancient Messene

The view of the archaeological site was delightful. Just past the iconic Tsakona arch bridge, we exited the corresponding junction onto the provincial road to Ancient Messene. We traversed endless olive groves filled with blooming poppies and chamomile, that formed a harmonious patchwork of bright colors among the trees, serving as a quintessential statement that spring had definitely sprung.

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After passing just three small villages with traditional stone, two-story houses, the road gradually edged towards Mt Ithome. Our route was flanked by smaller and larger mountain masses, succeeding one another and creating a cinematic-style alternation of scenes in conjunction with the smooth panning movement of our car.

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Photo: Kostis Angelopoulos
Photo: Kostis Angelopoulos

In a few kilometers, the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Messene appeared before us on our route, followed by an impressively large flat area where the archaeological site is located. Ancient Messene, one of the most well-preserved cities of the ancient world, was founded in 369 BC and flourished from the 3rd century BC until the 1st century AD. It was a major religious, political, and administrative center. Modern visitors, like explorers of old, have the opportunity to walk among noteworthy monuments such as the restored Theater, the Arsinoe Fountain, the Agora, the Temple of Messene (dedicated to the deified Messene, a pre-Doric queen who gave her name to the city), the Asklepion and the Roman House, as well as the impressive pebble-shaped Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Hereon.

A clear reflection of the city’s rich past lies in its formidable defensive walls, which stretch 9.5 kilometers in length. Searching for remnants of these fortifications, we found ourselves a few kilometers past the archaeological site at the monumental Arcadian Gate, the city’s western gate, constructed with large rectangular limestone blocks. Amidst an evocative atmosphere of the past, the landscape’s tranquillity created a remarkable body-mind relaxation. We were also highly impressed by the ancient city’s organization, which we saw by studying what years of archaeological research and restoration efforts had revealed.

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Photo: Christos Tzoutis
Photo: Κostis Angelopoulos

Kalamata: Our Destination

In another nature-inspired quest, specifically for the sources of the Pamisos River, we took a detour towards the village of Agios Floros. From there, in less than half an hour of easy driving, we reached Kalamata. We were welcomed by two unique vistas that delineate the city’s character: the rugged folds of Mt Taygetos, imposingly rising above the city, and the endless blue of the sea, bordered by the coastline of the Messinian Gulf. Kalamata is undoubtedly a lucky city.

The first impression that the Messinian capital gives visitors is that of an urban center, bustling with activity and life, yet simultaneously calm. Despite our initial idea to stay in the town center, the captivating sea view lured us to the many kilometers-long Navarino coastal road, with carefree walkers and cyclists on our right. Driving our SUV, the leisurely drive alongside the coastline evolved into a serene and pleasant condition, which even a brief rain could not dampen.

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Photo: Κostis Angelopoulos
Photo: Κostis Angelopoulos

The next morning found us walking carefree in the heart of the city towards the famous Central Market where an outdoor Farmers’ Market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday. Although Messinian olive oil is the most widespread product, many other high-quality products are produced from the Messinian earth, as visitors can see during a short walk in the Central Market, a visit we highly recommend. From the shops within the Market to the stalls of boisterous street vendors, we found deli meats, dairy products, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, bee products, and sweets. The vendors, noisy yet friendly, encourage passers-by to stop, chat, look, and taste, ultimately transforming the visit to the Farmers’ Market into a multisensory experience.

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Photo: Christos Tzoutis
Photo: Christos Tzoutis

Our titillating gastronomic experience gave way to a historical tour, as we walked the narrow streets of the historic center toward the 13th-century Castle, a major landmark of Kalamata. It was a relaxed stroll, a little like a treasure hunt. We keenly observed various kinds of buildings with interesting architectural elements, such as preserved folk-style two-story buildings and neoclassical ones from the 19th century. We particularly enjoyed visiting the imposing Church of the Presentation and the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, where the Greek Revolution was declared on March 23, 1821. Undoubtedly, the city preserved its historical and cultural heritage with great respect and care.

Continuing our historical tour, we visited the iconic Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek traditional costumes, in a prominent building at 64 Stadiou Street. The collection, originally a personal collection of Karelia, the founding member and long-time President of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Kalamata, was later donated to the Lyceum to protect and promote Greek tradition. It includes complete costume sets, both women’s and men’s, from all regions of Greece. Visitor tours are conducted with modern technological means. The space hosts periodic exhibitions, while systematic educational programs are conducted.

Returning Via Taygetos

Our journey lasted just two days, but it was enough to help us unwind and leave with a mix of beautiful images, rich flavors, and bags full of exquisite local products. As the perfect conclusion to our trip, we chose to take the route from the old national road from Kalamata to Sparta, through Taygetos with its wild and simultaneously captivating beauty. The drive was somewhat more challenging due to the uphill road and numerous bends, but it proved extremely manageable as we had a high-performance SUV. Thus, more relaxed and carefree, we enjoyed the tremendous view of the mountain masses imposingly standing before us, inspiring awe. Ultimately, the tour through the mountain network proved to be a powerful and gratifying experience.

The unique imagery directed our group’s conversations after the trip, coupled with the experience of restful and comfortable driving. We were thrilled to have received exactly what we had expected by renting a car from Avis. Indeed, with their great offers, there’s now even more incentive to soon plan our next trip, again with the ideal car to make our trip so comfortable.

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Photo: Kostis Angelopoulos
Photo: Christos Tzoutis

A Brief Culinary Guide

Visit the “Petropoulou” dairy shop inside the Central Market to try the delicious goat graviera and the sfela, a spicy local semi-hard white cheese.

Don’t leave Kalamata without grabbing lalagia, traditional crispy fried dough in the shape of a twisted cord, from the traditional pasta workshop “Tastes of Mother Earth” (Spartis 37).

For a truly Mediterranean meal with excellent ingredients, opt for the gastro-kitchen “Blue Canary” (Kritis 34).

If you want to combine ouzo and meze, then go to the cafe-ouzeri “Thiasos” (Hypapantis 7).

For superb Italian cuisine, visit “Tartufo 24” (Poseidonos 14) restaurant.

Info

Operating Hours for the Archaeological Site of Messene: (From November 1 – March 31) 08:30 AM to 3:30 PM, (From April 1 – October 31) 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Operating Hours for the Collection of Greek Costumes “Victoria G. Karelia“: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Wednesday and Saturday 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday closed.

Read also:

Spring Road Trip in the Central Peloponnese

Road Trip to Legendary Mycenae and Nafplio the First Capital of Greece

Road trip to the Stunning Lake Kremasta in Mountainous Central Greece