Kalamata holidays
There’s far more to Kalamata than the juicy olives for which this sun-soaked corner of the Peloponnese peninsula is justly famed. The capital of Messinia offers plenty to entice visitors, from weathered castles and ancient ruins to stunning beaches and captivating museums. The ancient sites of Sparta and Olympia are within easy reach and you’ll find yourself in the land of the gods here – the home of Hades and the Underworld.
Our cheapest holidays to Kalamata
Blissful beach life and abundant archaeology
The Old Town’s narrow streets teem with historic buildings, including the Byzantine church of the Holy Apostles and the church of Agioi Apostoloi. The cathedral of Ypapantis, built in 1839, houses an icon of the Virgin Mary purportedly dating to 672 AD.
Climb lush pine-clad hills to enjoy the sunset from the Kastro, Kalamata’s 13th Century Frankish-built castle. Visit the Folklore and History Museum, containing priceless artifacts from the 1821 Greek War of Independence, and stroll through the open-air Municipal Railway Park to see impressive vintage engines. The twice-weekly Central Food Market offers Kalamata olives and other local delicacies such as sfela cheese, pasteli, honey, lalagia (a kind of fried dough cracker) and Poliani apples. If you’re visiting in July, don’t miss the Kalamata Dance Festival, which has been enticing culture lovers since 1995. This annual ten-day celebration attracts a diverse programme of international artists showcasing the latest choreography and physical theatre. Book your flights to Kalamata today and start exploring.
Carefully selected Kalamata hotels
Best hotels in Kalamata for all types of traveller
We have a great selection of quality hotels in Kalamata to recommend. The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort is an award-winning luxury escape with four golf courses, an impressive spa, a variety of water sports and outdoor activities and a unique teens hub. The Westin Resort Costa Navarino is an upscale hotel set on a scenic hillside, offering an aqua park with water slides, two swimming pools, two kids’ clubs, a youth hub and a sports centre with activities for all ages.
Grecotel La Riviera & Aqua Park is an exclusive beachfront resort set on one of the longest beaches on the Med. Children will enjoy unlimited access to the nearby Olympia Aqua Park, while adults can lounge around one of many landscape pools or at the serene on-site spa. Grecotel Olympia Oasis and Aqua Park is a family-friendly resort, stretching along a gorgeous beach on the Peloponnese’s west coast. The hotel’s main highlights include a luxurious Grecian spa, a sprawling activity centre, exciting kids’ clubs and access to a fun-filled water park. Or set on a seemingly unending sandy Blue Flag beach, the Grecotel Mandola Rosa shares the 500-acre Riviera Olympia resort with two other Grecotel properties. Upgrade to a villa and enjoy a large outdoor terrace, two en-suite master bedrooms and a private pool.
Kalamata holiday FAQs
1. Guarded by the Lion Gate, Ancient Mycenae was a prosperous, influential citadel that lent its name to an entire civilisation which thrived from around 1600 to 1000 BC. In legend, it was home to Agamemnon, who led the Greeks in the Trojan War, and its protective walls are said to have been built by a cyclops. Check out the Treasury of Artreus, a stone vaulted tomb topped by what was once the world’s tallest dome and thought to have once contained many priceless relics.
2. Olympia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece as the original home of the Olympic Games, where Greek city states would send their top athletes to compete for the honour and to win a simple olive branch. Discover the ancient stadium complete with remnants of the track and judges’ platform, temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera and a fascinating Archaeological Museum packed with locally excavated exhibits.
3. One of the shining stars of Kalamata’s nightlife scene, Bocca Liquor Bar offers an intriguing mix of cocktails, spirits and beers in a chic, modern setting in a happening summer spot on Navarinou. Its low-key music and party atmosphere generally attracts a young and up-for-it crowd.
4. Vlychada Cave in Diros Bay, on the west coast of the Laconian Peninsula, is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful caves, with pristine white stalagmites and stalactites and glistening crystals. Hundreds of thousands of years old, the cave was discovered in 1900 and finally opened to the public in 1967. The fossilized bones of panthers, hyenas, lions, ferrets and hippos have all been discovered in the cave, which reaches a depth of around 80 metres.
5. In the western Peloponnese, visit the charming village of Mavrommati, the Byzantine 12th Century Samarina Monastery, once occupied by the nuns of the Osia Mary of Egypt, and the ruins of 13th Century Androusa Castle. South of the pretty harbour town of Pylos, climb the walls of the Venetian-era Methoni Castle for spectacular coastal views. Head to the attractive town of Marathopoli with its long promenade and take a boat to Proti Island for secluded coves and scenic beaches.
6. The ruins of Messini are just as extensive as Olympia’s but you’re likely to have them largely to yourself. They were built in 371 BC by the Thebans, with a six-mile wall to keep out the mighty Spartans. There’s also a large theatre, the agora, a treasury and sanctuaries dedicated to Artemis Orthia and Ascelpius, and one of Greece’s most intact ancient stadiums.
7. Kids will love the Victoria Karelias Collection of Traditional Greek Costumes. This immersive museum highlights the exquisite artistry of Greek dress down the centuries with beautiful exhibits charting the intricate details of traditional dress, ornate jewellery and accessories.
- Sparta (Sparti) famously defeated the naval power of Athens during the 5th Century BC Peloponnesian War. Visit the ruins of ancient Sparta including a theatre, rotunda, temples and the Tomb of Leonidas. The modern city is home to vast squares, tree-lined avenues, the Archaeological Museum, cathedral, the Koumantareios art gallery and a museum dedicated to olives and their oil.
- Costa Navarino is home to luxury hotels, spas, fine-dining restaurants and 18-hole golf courses. It bills itself as the Med’s first high-end eco-friendly resort with a landscape of lush green hills, turquoise seas and rolling dunes. Don’t miss Voidokilia's stunning half-moon-shaped beach – one of the most beautiful in Greece it sits below a castle-topped hill – or the birding paradise of Gialova Lagoon.
- Once-sleepy Stoupa is a tourist hub that’s fast becoming known as the new Cote D’Azur. It’s a world of crystalline waters, stunning beaches, cypress trees, olive groves, rolling hills and distant snowcapped mountains. Intimate yet lively enough, the town offers a bustling promenade and a scenic harbour. Dine on woodfired stuffed aubergine at Stoupa Restaurant and sip a sundowner at nearby bar Enigma. Walk the two-mile trail with stunning views to Agios Nikolaos, a charming fishing village.
- Immortalised by Homer’s epic poem the Illiad, Kyllini has a long sandy coastline and the Loutra Killinis thermal springs. The small harbour town offers fish tavernas and activities such as windsurfing and sailing. Explore the imposing 13th Century Chlemoutsi Castle and the Byzantine monastery of Vlacherna. Enjoy the well-equipped beach, take a 45-minute stroll to the rock of Kefalopetra or catch a boat to the islet of Kafkalida for Roman tombs and the remains of an early Christian church.
Why choose British Airways Vacations?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We offer carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
Small deposits
Secure your vacation with a small deposit and spread the cost with flexible installments.
Baggage allowance
All of our vacation packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
Earn extra Avios
Earn extra Avios and reduce the cost of your next vacation with Avios payment.
Pay with Avios
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Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in USD per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Vacations: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ vacation including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.
1. Vacation Sale offers can be booked online at ba.com or through the British Airways call centre from January 6, 2026 and January 22, 2026 at 23:59 EST.
2. Vacation sale offers are valid on travel between January 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026. All travel must be completed by September 30, 2026. For travel from all British Airways operating airports in the US.
3. To qualify for the up to $400 discount per booking offer certain booking requirements must be met.
4. The savings are $50, $100, $200 or $400 and apply to new Vacation Package bookings only where a minimum spend is met:
a. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $8,000 per booking can save $400 per booking.
b. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $5,000 per booking can save $200 per booking.
c. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $3,000 per booking can save $100 per booking.
d. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $1,500 per booking can save $50 per booking.
5. The savings are per booking.
6. A Vacation Package booking means any booking including round trip flights and either a hotel, car or combination of both for the duration of the travel period. Hotels/cars added to flights only after a flight has been selected or booked will not be eligible. To be eligible for savings, we invite you to choose ‘Flight + hotel’ or ‘Flight + car’ when commencing a search. Quotes in our ‘Create your trip’ booking tool will not include this offer and are discounted in a different way.
7. Flight + car Vacation Package savings are applied before any Extras (insurance waiver, car seats etc.) are added to the booking.
8. Prices advertised on ba.com include the additional discount where applicable.
9. Vacation sale lead-in prices include all airline-related taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
10. Economy flight and hotel package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 5 nights for double occupancy accommodation.
11. Economy flight and car rental package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 7 days Avis or Budget car rental in a ‘Group A Economy Manual’ car. Prices are based on drivers aged 30-70 years. (Automatic car rental available at higher prices).
12. Car rental prices do not include fees charged locally such as airport charges, additional driver, insurance, navigation aids and similar options.
13. All prices are liable to change at any time and are subject to flight, hotel and car rental availability. Availability is strictly limited.
14. Offers are valid for new bookings only, made during the promotional period. Valid only when combined with British operated flights or BA code share flights departing from a US gateway.
15. Prices are based on travel during dates and board basis stated.
16. Limited availability of flights at these prices. Individual travel dates are subject to availability. Promotional travel is subject to availability and capacity control, and availability may be limited over holidays and peak periods. The number of seats available on each flight at a particular fare may be restricted and it is possible that seats allocated to a particular fare on a particular flight may be fully booked even though seats are still available for sale at a different fare or booking class in the same cabin.
17. Deposits can only be paid for bookings created as flight + hotel or flight + car packages. All flight only, hotel, car and experience only bookings, and any hotel, car or experiences added to a flight only booking are excluded from this offer. The following deposit levels apply based on the total spend per booking:
I. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $1000-$1999 - pay from $198 deposit per booking
II. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2000-$2499 - pay from $250 deposit per booking
III. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2500-$2999 - pay from $300 deposit per booking
18. The deposit balance will be due 28 days prior to your departure date. The actual payment date will be displayed on the payment details page. You can pay the balance in as many instalments as you want. This allows you to spread the cost of the vacation over a longer period. You will have full flexibility of when you make the payments and how much they are, the only requirement is that you must have paid the full balance by the balance due date.
19. British Airways holidays standard terms and conditions and conditions of carriage apply. For full terms and conditions please refer to https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/package-booking-terms-and-conditions
20. All travel on BA operated flights is subject to BA's General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage (see ba.com http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/british-airways/general-conditions-of-carriage) and the notice and conditions of contract contained on each ticket and itinerary. Passengers carried by code share services are subject to the ticketing carrier's conditions of carriage.
21. British Airways is not liable for the reproduction of this offer or indirect access via third party websites of these terms and where such reproduction misstates or omits any of the information or terms and conditions connected with this promotion.
22. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a hotel purchase apply.
23. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a car purchase apply.
24. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
25. This offer may be withdrawn or limited by British Airways without notice.
26. Other significant restrictions may apply.
We reserve the right to cancel any bookings that violate any of these terms and conditions.