Kavala

Kavala

Mainland Greece · Greece

All About Kavala

The city of Kavala in northern Greece is the perfect blend of old and new, with a striking past and a vibrant present. It is the principal seaport of Macedonia, sitting proudly in the Bay of Kavala on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo, and is one of the most graphic cities you will find in the whole of Greece. Taking a ferry to Kavala is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

Once known as Neapoli and then Chrysoupoli, today’s Kavala has roots going back to the 7th century BCE and its strategic position made it a much sought after location for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. You can discover elements of its past in the Old Town (or Palia Poli) on the Panagia Peninsula, which is a romantic mix of architectural styles meandering around the commanding castle (or Kastro). The historic quarter boasts many landmarks that bring together East and West, such as the Mohamed Ali Square, the Hussein Bey Mosque, the Imaret, and the Kamares Aqueduct.

The city was once a thriving commercial center for tobacco and you can witness its past wealth in the elegant neoclassical mansions and tobacco warehouses that still stand today. Named the ‘Blue City’ due to its position surrounded by the turquoise Aegean Sea, Kavala is a wonderful place to experience both the bygone days of antiquity and the buzzing vibes of a very modern city.

Routes and Ferries to Kavala

Kavala is 150km from Thessaloniki and 680km from Athens, but can easily be reached by boat. Find ferry tickets to Kavala by using Ferryscanner, or book a multi-leg trip from here. There are regular connections from the port of Piraeus and Lavrio if you are coming from the Athens area and it can also be accessed from several islands. From Athens, you can enjoy a leisurely sail and reach Kavala in 25 hours or depart from Lavrio and get there in about 14 hours.

Blue Star Ferries also leave from Ag. Efstratios (6.45 hrs), Ikaria (18 hrs), Chios (13.55 hrs), Fourni (20 hrs), Inousses (13hrs), Samos (19 hrs) and Lesvos or Mytilini. (9.35 hrs). You can also take a ferry to Kavala from Limnos (3.55 hrs), Chios (10.15 hrs), Mykonos (20 hrs), Syros (21.35 hrs), Tinos (10.15) with Hellenic Seaways. There are frequent ferry crossings every day from Kavala to the island of Thassos just opposite, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

If you are flying to Greece, there are many charter flights in summer from European cities that can take you to Megas Alexandros Airport in Chrysoupoli, which is just over 30 km from Kavala, as well as domestic flights from Athens International Airport. A regular bus service will transport you to the city center from the airport or you can opt for a taxi, which will have you there in 35 minutes.

Ports of Kavala

Kavala’s strategic location with its proximity to the gold mines on Mount Pangeo and its position on the main East-West trade route makes it of significant maritime importance, which is why even today it has four ports. Each port has a separate role to play for tourism, trade, and transportation in the wider region but most passenger ferries are served by the central port of APOSTOLOS PAVLOS, or Saint Paul. The commercial port of Filippos B, the Port of Eleftheres, and the Port of Keramoti serve other maritime interests in the area.

The main harbor dates back to the 7th century BCE and once connected the Greek world with Asia Minor. After coming under Roman control in 168 BCE, it was here that the Apostle Paul embarked on his first voyage to Europe. The port continued to serve as a major trading post throughout history, right up until the 18th century, when the town prospered as a major center for the fishing and tobacco industry. Use Ferryscanner to compare prices, routes, ferry companies and book ferry tickets to Kavala.

Best Beaches

Rapsani Beach

Rapsani is smack dab in the middle of town, making it very convenient if you don’t want to stray too far from the center. The narrow beach of sand and pebbles runs along the sea road and is very organized, with umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms, making it perfect for a quick dip any time of day.

Kalamitsa Beach

Just a little further along, you will find Kalamitsa Beach, which is also sandy and organized with umbrellas and sun loungers. Enjoy a day in the sun before heading for one of the many taverns and bars that line the beach and experience the delight of city living and beach life rolled into one.

Paleo Beach

Paleo is a seaside resort on the way to Peramos that offers a beautiful combination of both seaside and mountains. It is made up of several small beaches where you can find a spot to enjoy the crystal blue waters in a lovely setting. The area is dotted with an abundance of cafes, taverns, and pretty holiday homes, giving off a true vacation feel.

Nea Iraklitsa Beach

This is another very picturesque beach located in a pretty harbor town on the way to Peramos, drawing people in because of its azure waters and fine sand. The beach has all of the facilities that you will need, as well as a selection of fish taverns, coffee shops, and beach bars, making it the perfect place to spend your day while the kids play safely on the waterfront.

Psatha Beach

In the area of Iraklitsa, you can find several smaller bays, one of which is the lovely Psatha. Also known as Trita, this beach has retained its wild beauty and is surrounded by thick shrubs, giving it a very private feel. The sand is extremely soft and can be seen through the refreshing transparent waters, inviting you to bask in the joys of summer and forget all of your worries.

The Tower of Apollonia Beach

This beach is named after an ancient tower that stands on a rock looking over the sea, with a truly magical ambiance to it. You can reach the beach by following the old Kavala-Thessaloniki road at the mouth of the River Strymon until you find a dirt track. Walk down to find an idyllic haven of turquoise waters and total serenity where there are few bathers and no amenities.

Batis Beach

If you want to have a combination of facilities, natural beauty, and extremely clean waters, then Batis Beach is a great choice. Sitting in a picture-postcard bay just 4km away from the main town, this organized beach bears a Blue Flag for its clean waters and amenities. These include water sports, swimming pools, beach bars, restaurants, a children’s play area, and even a nearby campsite.

Neighborhoods

There is so much to see in Kavala, with each neighborhood offering a colorful aspect of this great city. Whether you are a history buff wishing to explore the city’s heritage or on the lookout for trendy shops and coffee spots, you will find it all in Kavala.

Old Town

The Old Town of Kavala is also known as the Panaghia district and is built amphitheatrically on a peninsula surrounded by the sea. Its quaint cobbled streets are flanked by colorful mansions with traditional sachnisi bay windows and abundant gardens leading up to the castle itself. Here you will find the 1917 Imaret, the Panaghia church, and the fortress, which offers wonderful city and sea views from the top.

The Port Area

A bustling port area is the heart of the city and a fabulous place for a stroll to take in the alluring atmosphere. Head to the wharf to see the seagulls flocking over the small fishing boats next to the luxury yachts moored at the sailing club. Check out the popular Kalamitsa beach as you enjoy a splendid view of the castle overhead. At night, you can indulge in fresh fish at the busy waterfront tavernas and mingle with the locals at the trendy cafés and eateries.

Kapnergatis Square and Kyprou Street

Stroll through the town from Kapnergatis Square to the paved Kyprou Street as you marvel at the impressive mansions, once belonging to the wealthy tobacco traders. The recently renovated tobacco warehouse of the trader Kizi Mimin is a truly impressive building that is now the city’s Cultural Centre. Other architectural gems include the residence of Baron Adolf Wix (1899), the City Hall (1895), the Municipal Music School (1864), and the Tokos Mansion (1879).

Commercial Area

There is a myriad of shops for you to browse, right from the main Eleftheria Square to the town hall and along to Omonia Street. The hustle and bustle of the shopping area is a vibrant place to soak up the heartbeat of the city and to pick up a few souvenirs and gifts as you go. The wide selection of goods at the market even draws shoppers from neighboring Balkan countries and Turkey.

The Old Tobacco Warehouses

As a major tobacco producer in the past, Kavala is full of large buildings that were used to store the products before they were shipped around the world. The trade brought prosperity to the city and you can still find remains of previous opulence in its grand mansions. Some of the old warehouses are still standing, with one transformed into a shopping mall and another into an entertainment center.

Things To Do

Discover the multi-faceted face of this city through its landmarks and museums or venture out to the surrounding area to explore its natural beauty and archaeological heritage.

The Acropolis of Kavala

Climb up to enjoy the city’s greatest landmark – the main part of which was built in the late 15th century AD, although the original fortress goes back to 1391. Byzantines and Venetians used it to defend the city and you will see the unworked local granite blocks in its walls, as well as the circular tower, the gunpowder room, the garrison, and a water cistern. Enjoy fantastic views of the gulf while sipping on an iced coffee at the quaint cafe.

Kamares

You can’t visit Kavala without noticing the large, arched aqueduct known as Kamares, or Arches, which stretches for a length of 270 meters and has a height of 25 meters. Originally built between 1520-1530 by the Vizier of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, Ibrahim Pasha, to harness the freshwater springs that ran from the mountain, it is an enormous structure in comparison with the size of the city at the time. Although no longer used, you can marvel at its uncontested sophistication and engineering merit.

Imaret

Don’t miss a visit to the Imaret, now a luxury hotel but once an important religious, educational and charitable institution in the 19th century. The complex used to be a center for Islamic study and you will still find prayer rooms, classrooms, and a soup kitchen. Spread out over 4,200 square meters, this amazing building boasts 61 vaulted ceilings and is a romantic nod to the city’s Ottoman past.

Tokos Hall

Previously the residence of wealthy tobacco trader Dimitrios Tokos, this extraordinary building dates back to 1879 and has since been used as the Consulate of Italy, a school, and the town hall. Today it belongs to the Department of Culture and the Kavala-Thassos Ephorate of Antiquities and upon inspection, you will notice its neoclassical and baroque elements and unusual curved gable roof.

Palia Merarchia

Check out the elaborate Palia Merarchia (Old Division) which was built in the early 20th century by the wealthy landowner Hatzi Sikir Aga, which exudes both Ottoman and German neoclassicist influences. With its decorative oriental columns and curved arches, you can get a true sense of how cultures blended and mixed in complete harmony. Other buildings worth checking out include the old Girl’s School, the Megali Leschi, and the Catholic Mission

Archaeological Site of Philippi

It would be a pity not to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Phillippi when you are in Kavala, which will take you back to 360 BCE when the ancient city was established and subsequently ruled by the all-powerful King Phillip II of Macedonia. You can still see the ruins of the ancient theater, the agora, and the walls themselves, while the remains of its basilicas are an extraordinary testimony to the establishment of early Christianity in the region.

Transportation Around Kavala

Kavala is so picturesque that it is best enjoyed on foot and offers various routes for you to explore its historical past, dotted by landmarks and cozy resting places. Nonetheless, there is a regular bus service connecting you to all of the main areas as well as the nearby beaches and surrounding villages.

You can also take a taxi or hire a bicycle for your sightseeing, while a miniature train takes you around the city in style and comfort. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Kavala.

Map of Kavala

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Ticket Booths

ferrytraveller.gr

Port of Kavala
+30 2511107000
Miliadis Maritime Agency

Passenger Terminal within Kavala port
+302510226147

Contact

Port Authority of Kavala: +302510223716

Kavala Hospital: +302513501100

Municipality of Kavala: +302510451401

Police of Kavala: +302510622200

Tourist Police of Kavala: 1571

Taxi Service: +302510232001

Kavala Bus Service: +302510222218

Airport: +302591053400

2022 SEAJETS FERRY SCHEDULES (ALL VESSELS)
2022 SEAJETS FERRY SCHEDULES (ALL VESSELS)
21 February 2022
Seajets has released all of its 2022 ferry schedules. Here you can find detailed itinerary information for each and every vessel.