Mention Kalamata to a Greek and they’ll conjure up images of olive groves, fantastic food and a vibrant atmosphere in the Peloponnese that’s great for a city break or a seaside escape. And all that is true. But the capital of Messinia is also home to wonderful beaches (including some of the best beaches in the Peloponnese), made all the more memorable by a backdrop of Mt Taygetos. So join us as we explore some of the best beaches in and around Kalamata.
Kalamata beach
If you want beaches near Kalamata, they don’t get any nearer. Right by the city centre, Kalamata beach has a Blue Flag certificate and enough activities to keep everyone happy for days. Its 2.5km of real estate is covered in yellow-white fine, pebbly sand, sloping into shallow and warm waters. There are restaurants, tavernas, shops and bars and a fair bit of nightlife, too. The palm-fringed boardwalk and chilled ambience are the icing on the cake.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & Umbrellas, beach bars, restaurants, tavernas, water sports, sea ramp
- Access: By car or on foot from town
- Distance from Kalamata: On the doorstep
Voidokilia beach
The big omega, Voidokilia is a horseshoe-shaped beach that is certified Insta royalty. By the Natura 2000-protected Gialova Lagoon, Voidokilia is nature’s delight and a family favourite (due to the turquoise-coloured, shallow waters). You can sunbathe and snorkel or you can work up a sweat exploring King Nestor’s Cave below Paleokastro Castle, which can be seen from the beach. There’s another long, sandy stretch on the other side of the lagoon, at Divari beach (also known as Chrissi Ammos, or golden sand), which is organised with facilities at one end and remote at the other, near the islet of Sfaktiria. But there’s no doubt who is king pin in these parts, with Voidokilia hands down one of the best beaches in the Peloponnese.
- Amenities: parking
- Access: By car and short walk
- Distance from Kalamata: 56.8km
Sea Kayaking Navarino Bay 🛶
Foneas beach
Ominously named (it means killer in Greek), gorgeous Foneas beach will eviscerate your worries. This up-and-coming beauty will reward you with its green-blue waters and scenic vistas. The fine-pebble beach is divided by a giant boulder that creates a natural diving board for those brave enough to jump off it. Flanked by a lush green canopy inside the cove, you could spend a whole day chilling and snorkelling and still feel like you haven’t had enough. Delfinia beach is very close, should you get restless.
- Amenities: Snack bar
- Access: By road & short walk
- Distance from Kalamata: 23km
Santova beach
One of the beaches close to Kalamata, Santova is perfect if you’re young and want to let loose. As with many beaches in the area, it’s a mixture of sand and pebbles, but the real kicker is the vibe. A typical day here consists of chilling, playing and hanging out at one of the many beach bars (some organise parties). This bubbly stretch of fun will keep you coming back for more.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, beach bars
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 12km
Mikri Mantinia beach
The small seaside settlement of Mikri Mantinia and its scenic beach are prettier than a paycheck. With Mt Taygetos in the background, it provides photo opps by the bucket-load while the white, pebbly-shell beach boasts a Blue Flag certificate. The water is as clear and the nearby Almyros beach is also worth your attention (especially the water sports). Mikri Mantinia is a beacon for families as it’s equipped with a water park. When you get hungry, hit one of the neat little tavernas that line the shore.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, beach bars, tavernas, water park
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 10km
Peroulia beach
One of the most picturesque beaches in Messinia, exotic Peroulia is balm for the senses. Olive groves and a thick canopy of lush vegetation surround the yellow sand, with clear emerald waters swelling the shore. Laid-back and chilled, Peroulia ticks all the boxes for a holiday in Kalamata and then some. You’ll find some natural shade and an elevator down to the beach should you need it.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, beach bars
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 51km
Stoupa beach
Stoupa is one of the most family-friendly beaches close to Kalamata. It is characterised by its tree-lined esplanade, tavernas, cafes and shops, as well as the incredibly clean waters fed by streams from Mt Taygetos. The wider area is a fully operational seaside settlement and home to several hotels and summer houses and the seabed is home to plenty of sea life so bring your goggles and flippers. The stunning sunset is a final treat.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, cafes, beach bars, tavernas, sea ramp
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 41km
Kalogria beach
Having one of Greece’s most accomplished writers set his most famous novel on your beach will do wonders for your reputation (as Kazantazakis, of Zorba the Greek fame, did). But when the beach is also drop-dead gorgeous, you can rightfully expect some crowds. Kalogria is surrounded by the Taygetos mountain range and its combination of sand and greenery and the green-blue sea give it a tropical feel. There’s a diving centre and a nearby cave where Kazantzakis apparently wrote. Another wonderful sunset spot.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, tavernas, beach bars
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 40km
Sea Kayaking Kardamyli 🛶
Kitries beach
The quaint fishing village of Kitries is fairytale gorgeous. The drawcard here is the combination of fish tavernas and the feeling of seclusion created by the vegetation surrounding the pebbly beach. There’s a tiny dock for fishermen supplying the tavernas, making it ideal for seafood lovers and anyone relishing peace and quiet. Kitries will give you exactly what you need during your holiday in Kalamata.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, tavernas
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 12km
Finikounda beach
The seaside resort village of Finikounda has everything you could need to keep you all day. Which is great, because its beach is one of the best near Kalamata, especially if you’re towing kids. Like a lot of the beaches in Messinia, the shallow green waters are Blue Flag-certified and the sand is fluffy golden. As a bonus, you can rent a boat and explore the nearby Messinian Inousses island chain as well as nearby Mikro & Megalo Marathi beaches.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, tavernas, cafes, beach bars
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 63km
Bouka beach
Bouka beach is a full 3.5km long and composed of coarse yellow sand. Its turquoise waters (with a Blue Flag certificate) are a big draw but its size has the effect of thinning the crowds, despite the facilities including beach bars and tavernas. This is one of the best all-around beaches in the area, which puts it in the running for one of the best beaches in the Peloponnese.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, tavernas, beach bars
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 10km
Koroni beach
Also known as Zagka, lengthy Koroni beach is named after the medieval castle to one side. Its fine yellow sand and clear water attract everything from families to youngsters and couples. Containing the usual combo of beach bars and assorted amenities, it is big enough to also have a surf centre on the quieter part of the beach, where you can hire a SUP or kayak.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, tavernas, water sports
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 30km
Lagouvardos beach
On the west coast of the Peloponnese, Lagouvardos beach lets you enjoy the Ionian Sea (blue and deep) and is loved by both windsurfing enthusiasts and others because there is everything here to let you enjoy a day in the sun. It is a 2km sandy bay, with a cedar forest behind it for an extra touch of class. It can get wavy at Lagouvardos beach, so keep an extra eye on the little kids when it does. The village of Marathopoli is just 3km away.
- Amenities: Sunbeds & umbrellas, beach bar, water sports
- Access: By road
- Distance from Kalamata: 70km
13 of the best beaches near Kalamata
Kalamata is a wonderful seaside settlement in the Peloponnese, with some world class and under-the-radar beaches that are worth discovering, every bit as much as the city’s famed food and lively atmosphere. Better get moving, though, because they won’t stay hidden for long.
