Kalamata

Entry tickets

Start your small group tour at the arranged meeting point: the magnificent 13th century castle of Androusa, located in the heart of Messinia, just a 20 minute drive from Kalamata and 10 minutes from Ancient Messene. Begin with beautiful olive walks to provide as an overview of the amazing olive groves of Messinia. Witness the olive trees as the guide tells you about the history, the tradition, and the mythical stories of the castle olive trees. The olive grove is the next visit. Walk though the groves and marvel the perennial olive trees. Learn about the different varieties of olive trees in the area and discover the story of the Messinian land as recorded on the stems. In the center of Androusa Village, visit a unique olive oil press and mill, located there for more than 120 years. The fifth generation owner will explain the procedure of extraction, the storage, and standardization process of extra virgin olive oil. Next, join a tasting session, where a dining table is filled with the special blue olive oil tasting glasses ready for you to try. Taste the extra virgin olive oil of 'Koroneiki' variety and learn about its organoleptic characteristics. Learn to recognize the elements that define the extra virgin olive oil. Taste different varieties of Greek extra virgin olive oil, such us 'Manaki', 'Xalkidikis', 'Mavroelia', and evaluate their flavours. What about food? The extra virgin olive oil of different varieties is matched with traditional recipes including fruit, gourmet small dishes, as well as tzatziki, kalamata olives, olive paste, lalagia, pasto (smoked ham) and local cheeses. Enjoy a unique experience in the historic olive groves, and learn about the history, the soul, the tradition, and the gastronomy of Messinia.

Navarino Bay lies in front of the town of Pylos. It is a natural harbor where the island of Sphacteria stands as a wave breaker, protecting the bay from winds of the open Ionian Sea. The bay offers ideal conditions for Sea Kayaking trips, especially for beginners. The bay itself is a place of incredible natural beauty, with an impressive landscape, warm, crystal clear, waters and golden sandy beaches where sea turtles often return to lay their eggs. Sea kayaking here is a must definitely do without a doubt. Meet your guides at Divari beach just a few kilometers away from the charming village of Gialova. Your guide will brief you on paddling techniques, safety measures, and equipment. Soon we shall hop on our kayaks for a trip around the Navarino bay like never before. Heading west we paddle towards Sfaktiria, the island located at the west side of the bay. Here, we jump out of our kayaks, stretch our legs and walk to the island’s viewpoint for taking pictures of an idyllic landscape and for story-telling. A few minutes later we shall make a stop at a secluded beach for swimming and snorkeling, and why not some cliff diving for those who feel more adventurous. Here we shall also taste our homemade picnic of local delicacies and relax under the sun. After this energy pumped stop, we will paddle back to the starting point to end an amazing day in the tranquility of Navarino Bay.

Experience the beauty of southern Greece on a guided hiking trip to the Polylimnio waterfalls. Located outside of Kalamata, this stepped waterfall system consists of 15 small lakes, hidden in the surrounding forest. Hike through the lush vegetation and marvel at the spectacular waterfall cascades. After a short van ride from Kalamata, follow your guide down a narrow path into the surrounding forest. Wander over picturesque bridges, pass by flowing waterfalls and clear lakes, and marvel at the diverse and unique flora poking out from each nook and cranny. Continue your trek to the bottom of the gorge to reach the final and highest waterfall. Here you can soak your feet, swim, or climb up a rope ladder to high-dive into the turquoise waters. After an hour of exploration and enjoyment, it's time to hike back. Before boarding the bus, pause to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or snacks from the local cafe. Listen as your guide shares fascinating facts, anecdotes, and stories about the surrounding Messinia region.

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Discover the richness and inventiveness of Greek cuisine! You will visit the historic centre of one of the most beautiful coastal cities of the Peloponnese: Kalamata, in Messinia region. The place is known for its exquisite olive oil and its world-famous black Kalamata olives. However, the city has so much more to offer and this tour will help you uncover its hidden gems. Visit local family-owned food and pastry shops, learn old stories and feel the authenticity of the locals. Stop 1: Visit to Traditional Workshop and tasting of Local Home-made products Many times, you can find the tastiest local products in the most unlikely places of a town you visit, where you’d never think to look. Together we’ll discover a traditional Workshop, literally hidden in the tiny alleys of the city. The local women working at the Workshop will show how to make one of the oldest delicacies of Messinia and Mani, using the simplest of ingredients, flour and olive oil. And while enjoying this staple of the Spartan warriors and satisfying your sweet tooth in the healthiest of manners, you’ll also learn about its long history and inextricable link to the local tradition. Stop 2: Tasting of Spoon Sweets, Corinthian Raisins and Healthy Local Delicacies Upon entering the shop, the aroma of the exquisite herbs and spices wafting through the air will transport you to the top of Mt. Taygetos, the local mountain. You’ll get to taste homemade glyka tou koutaliou (spoon sweets), black Korinthian raisins and other products of the Messinian and Greek land, discovering their nutritional value and their importance in a well-balanced diet. Stop3: Greek Coffee Tasting at Local Coffee Grinding Shop It’s time for your morning coffee! And what’s better than a hot traditional Greek coffee prepared by Giorgos, who’ll reveal the secrets to its proper preparation. You’ll find out all about the origins of this type of coffee, how it got its name and how it has become a part of the Greek tradition and temperament. Stop 4: Tasting of Local Appetizers at a Traditional Greek Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Tavern Right in the heart of the city, under the shadow of an age-old plane tree, flavoursome Messinian appetizers - mezedes are waiting for you to discover them. Stop 5: Visit to an Olive Oil Shop & short Olive oil tasting You’ll find out all about the Koroneiki variety and its unique features, and will taste different quality olive oils. Stop 6: Visit to a Shop with Local Wines & short wine tasting Find out all the local varieties, including Fokiano, Roditis, Malaguzia and Moschofilero, as well as how they are combined with foreign varieties to produce excellent white, rose and red wines through a short wine tasting along with Mr. Giannis! Stop 7: Light Lunch with Mediterranean or Messinian Dishes and Local Wines A light yet filling lunch will conclude your gastronomic experience and spoil your senses, in one of the cosiest Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Taverns in the heart of the city.

You will visit one of the most beautiful coastal cities of the Peloponnese: Kalamata, in Messinia region. The olive oil tour and tasting experience is available all year round either in the mornings or in the afternoons. Gree official holidays are excluded. The Olive oil Experience If you want to get to know all about the unique features of olive oil or simply wonder what an olive-oil tasting seminar involves, this activity is right up your alley! Part 1: Olive grove & Visit at an Olive oil Mill Olive grove (available all year round) You’ll walk through the perennial olive trees and experience a 30' relaxing stroll through an olive grove located just 10' away from Kalamata. During your walk, you’ll get acquainted with different varieties of olive trees in all shapes and of all ages and learn the history of the olive tree and the olive oil from the Neolithic era until today! Olive oil mill (depending on season & availability - From March to October) You will learn all about the extraction process, from the olive grove to bottling and if it is the olive harvesting season, you’ll get to taste fresh and warm extra virgin olive oil, during our olive oil tasting! Part 2: Olive Oil tasting experience Along with our professional and certified olive oil expert, you’ll learn about the queen of Greek olive-oil varieties, Koroneiki, as well as other just as superb Greek olive oils. You’ll discover their key aromas, flavours and tastes, and will learn which olive-oil variety to pair with your favourite food. Part 3: Light or Full lunch (upon request & at an extra charge) If you wish to conclude your olive oil experience with a delicious light or full lunch, full of Messinian flavours, in one of the most welcoming Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Taverns in the heart of Kalamata’s historic centre, just let us know and we can arrange it for you!

Starting your tour from Athens you will start seeing the nice landscape of Attica as exiting the city. Your first stop will be at the Corinth canal. Your driver will explain to you the history of the canal and you can take a lot of pictures. After a 1 hour drive you will stop at the Meligalas well. There you will learn the history of the civil war that took place in Greece. Your next station will be at the Ancient site of Messini. You will have the chance to meet this great civilization and enjoy the ancient site. You will learn where and how the medical site of Asklipios was functioning. Then you will leave for the great and sea city of Kalamata. There you can have free time and explore the marvellous city and have luch until you return back to Athens.

A 3-hour olive oil tour and tasting experience that includes a visit and a walk through a family olive grove, an olive oil tasting workshop and a light local lunch. Where Join us for a 3-hour tour of the wonderful land of Messinia and its perennial olive trees. You will visit an olive grove located in a small village 50km (31 mi) from Kalamata in Messinia region, Peloponnese, towards Pylos coastal town, just 10' away from Costa Navarino resort. The Olive oil experience The Olive oil tour and tasting experience is the outcome of a local couple for olive oil, nature and the land of Messinia. Their dreams found a home in a small village in Messinia, in their olive grove and the flavour of extra virgin olive oil. Nowadays, their mission is to introduce visitors to the wonderful world of olive oil and help them get a taste of Messinia. Part 1: Arrival and visit at the family Olive grove – Warm welcome You will visit a beautiful olive grove of a small village, located in the west of Messinia, just 10 minutes away from Costa Navarino Bay and Nestor’s Palace. It is the ideal backdrop to unravel the history, tradition and ancient myths of this historical place. The owners will welcome you with a homemade Greek local breakfast while the olive experience is enriched with a video presentation about the history of olive and olive oil! Olive grove (April - October) – Experience a guided 30-minute relaxing stroll by the locals through perennial olive trees. During your walk, you’ll get acquainted with different varieties of olive trees in all shapes and of all ages. Olive harvest (available only in October) – You’ll walk through the olive trees and meet local families as they harvest their own trees. You’ll enjoy the experience of a lifetime either by handpicking olives and placing them directly in a basket or by picking them using a net. Part 2: Olive Oil Tasting (April - October) What follows is an interactive olive oil tasting workshop by an olive oil lover! The tasting session includes 4 different varieties of extra virgin olive oil, focusing on sensory tasting, defects and positive traits. Part 3: Light local lunch Get a taste of traditional, local food, such as lalagia (savoury or sweet looped ribbons of dough), pasto (pieces of cured pork), Kalamata olives, local cheese and enjoy a homemade local lunch!

You will visit an olive grove located in a small village 50km (31 mi) from Kalamata in Messinia region, Peloponnese, towards Pylos coastal town, just 10' away from Costa Navarino resort. The Culinary Experience Join us for 3 hour cooking class experience and feast on a mouthwatering full traditional lunch among olive trees! Part 1: Arrival at the grove - Warm welcome Visit a beautiful family olive grove of a small village, located in the west of Messinia, just 10 minutes away from Costa Navarino Bay and Nestor’s Palace. It is the ideal backdrop to unravel the history, tradition and ancient myths of this historical place. The owners will welcome you with homemade local delicacies while they will narrate you the whole story behind their efforts. Part 2: Bread making in a Wood-Fired Oven Make your own bread from scratch along with a Greek mum and bake it in a traditional wooden fired oven. Smell the unbeatable aroma of the freshly baked bread and enjoy it with your lunch! There is also the possibility, instead of bread to make another Greek pastry delicacy like a Greek seasonal pita (pie)! Part 3: Cooking class During a fantastic cooking class, a traditional Greek mum will show you how to make Greek appetizers and food like gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice and fresh herbs), tyropita (cheese pie), lamb or pork cooked in the stone fired oven, Greek salad or other seasonal recipes using the freshest of ingredients. The mum will tell you stories about how, in the olden days, they used to make the hilopites (Greek egg pasta) and trachana (Greek fermented milk pasta) only during summer, to last them all through the winter months. Of course as you may already know, there are plenty food choices also for vegetarians and vegans in the Mediterranean and Greek cuisine so not to worry about; just let us know! Part 4: Full traditional lunch Food is finally ready! Enjoy a full, delicious lunch with everything you made during the Cooking class and feel proud for yourself and your efforts accompanied with a lots of Greek wine! Extra Experiences (upon request & at an extra charge) Depending on availability, you may also choose to participate in extra experiences upon request: Olive oil tasting experience (45’) Enjoy an exciting olive oil tasting experience while your delicious food is being baked in the wood-fired oven! Table Olive-Making Workshop (45' depending on season) In this 45' family friendly workshop, a Greek mum will show you how to make the famous Kalamata table olives, step by step.

Lagada's climbing park is located at 800 meters altitude on the 45th kilometer of the Kalamata-Sparta mountainous national road. Set off for a half-day of climbing on a wide variety of routes within a spectacular setting. Benefit from included hotel pickup and drop-off in Kalamata. The Lagada climbing park is the pride and glory of the greater Peloponnese area because of the variety of grades on excellent quality limestone, combined with its enchanting location. Get picked up from Kalamata and head to one of Greece's most beautiful sport-climbing parks. From 1999 to the present day, approximately 100 sport routes ranging from 5a to 8c+ have been developed on five different fields. For the past 15 years, the local team has organized events, maintained existing routes, and developed new ones. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned climber, you will have an unforgettable experience at Lagada.