Travel to Kavala means history, culture, many sights, and beautiful seas. Kavala, perhaps the most beautiful coastal city of northeastern Greece, sets foot with one foot in the East and the other in the West and reveals its gifts to visitors all year round. The 650 km distance from the capital compensates the visitor if the latter has several days at their disposal.
The impressive cave of Aggitis in Drama counts 30,000 years of life
Travel to Kavala: What you can do
1 . The old town of Kavala, as it “unfolds” in the area of Panagia, reveals step by step the 2,500 years of history of this place, creating the feeling that someone is moving in a period film. Cobbled streets, colorful mansions with wooden balconies, compose the atmospheric scenery that quickly leads to the castle at the top of the hill, which passed into the possession of Lombards, Franks, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The ascent here offers a wonderful view of the North Aegean.
2 . The Imaret is the jewel of the city, a magnificent architectural monument, amazingly renovated. It was built in 1817 and was a gift of Mehmet Ali Pasha (founder of the last Egyptian dynasty and regent of Egypt) to the city in which he was born.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, it functioned as a Koranic seminary, while from the 1920s onwards it hosted many refugees. From 1970 until 2000, it was abandoned, until it was renovated by private owners after permission from the Egyptian government. Today, there is a café, restaurant, and hotel in the area that can be visited.
3 . The tobacco warehouses are undoubtedly the imposing trademark of the city. Empty but renovated, they testify to the era of great glamour, when Kavala was an international center of tobacco exports in the early 20th century.
4 . The Old Aqueduct, also known as Kamares, is a well that defines the landscape of the whole city. The large arched Aqueduct is 270m long and has a maximum height of 25m. The Kamares in its present form is a work of the early 16th century, attributed to Ibrahim Pasha, vizier of Sultan Suleiman the Lawgiver. They were built between 1520 and 1530, a period during which major infrastructure works were carried out in Kavala to reconstruct the city after the destruction of 1391.
5 . A walk from the port to the Nautical Club and the fish market is ideal to feel the aura of the city and admire from the sea the city built on hills, Kavala. The beach encapsulates all the traffic of the city – cafes, fish taverns, and vendor stalls.
Kiltiritsa: a gastronomic trip to Kavala
6 . The walk from Eleftherias Square to the town hall and from the beach to Omonia Street will “introduce” you to the whole commercial and modern pulse of the city. It is such a large, lively, and bustling market that receives visitors from other prefectures, as well as the Balkans and Turkey. Look for the small and vintage shops next to Kapnergati Square and the pedestrian streets around the church of Agios Nikolaos.
8 . Tasting in Kavala
It is one of the most beautiful experiences for travelers since both food and sweets are a wonderful meeting of East and West. Here are some you can try: spicy pilafs, moon-shaped kourabiedes, honey like nectar, plenty of different cheeses, juicy kiwis, and fine asparagus.
9. A trip to Kavala without visiting ancient Philippi is not counted. At 25 minutes from the city, you will find yourself in ancient Philippi. The settlement of 360 BC by the colonists of Thassos and then the fortified city of one of the most powerful kings of Macedonia – this area is the most representative of the long history of Kavala. In fact, it was here that the Apostle Paul founded the first Christian Church on European soil. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has an Archaeological Site, a Museum, and a Theater, all named after its founder, Philip the Macedonian.
Frequently Asked Questions
When traveling to Kavala, you can explore the old town of Panagia with its 2,500 years of history, visit the impressive castle, admire the Imaret architectural gem, walk through renovated tobacco warehouses, see the historic Old Aqueduct (Kamares), stroll along the port and fish market, and visit nearby beaches. The city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and beautiful seaside scenery.
Yes, Kavala is worth visiting from Athens despite being 650 km away. The distance is compensated by the city's rich history, stunning coastal views, and abundance of cultural attractions. If you have several days available, traveling to Kavala from the capital is highly recommended for experiencing one of the most beautiful seaside towns in northern Greece.
The Imaret is a magnificent architectural monument and jewel of Kavala, built in 1817 as a gift from Mehmet Ali Pasha (founder of the last Egyptian dynasty) to his birthplace. Originally functioning as a Koranic seminary and later hosting refugees, it was renovated after 2000 and now houses a café, restaurant, and hotel. It remains an important symbol of the city's Ottoman heritage.
Kavala's Old Aqueduct, known as Kamares, is a 270-meter-long structure with a maximum height of 25 meters built between 1520-1530. Attributed to Ibrahim Pasha, vizier of Sultan Suleiman the Lawgiver, it was constructed as part of major infrastructure works to rebuild the city after the 1391 destruction. The Kamares remains an iconic landmark that defines the city's landscape.
Kavala has its own beaches at its feet near the port and Nautical Club area, perfect for experiencing the city's atmosphere. For even more charismatic beaches, you can take a 30-minute drive to Nea Peramos, which offers beautiful sandy beaches with a more secluded character.
In the old town of Panagia, you should walk through cobbled streets and see colorful mansions with wooden balconies that create an atmospheric period film-like setting. Climb to the castle at the top of the hill, which has been controlled by Lombards, Franks, Byzantines, and Ottomans, and enjoy wonderful views of the North Aegean from above.
