Kavala is a beautiful city nestled in the hills of northern Greece, and it is the main port of eastern Macedonia and the capital of Kavala region. The amphitheater-shaped city rises up from the beautiful harbor up to the majestic Byzantine fortress. It boasts clean beaches that look untouched and pristine.
It is to this town the Apostle Paul first came to Greece. The city is an interesting mixture of both the modern and ancient cultures.
You will see modern buildings and shopping squares on the west side of the city, while its east side has traditional houses and gardens.
The town has several magnificent castles and fishing areas, and it has a beautiful view of the harbor.
Port of Kavala
A Little Bit of History
The Thassians were the first settlers of Kavala, who came here in the 7th century BC in search of gold and silver. They called this city Neapolis.
At the end of the 6th century Neapolis became independent, but it was conquered by the allied forces of Spartans and Thassians during the Peloponnesian War in 411 BC.
Ancient City of Philippi
In 168 BC, the city became a Roman Civitas and was their base until 42 BC. Then the city was taken over by the Byzantines, who fortified the city to protect it from invaders.
Ancient City of Philippi
Due to its location the city flourished economically. The Normans captured the city and burned it in 1185 during the raid of Macedonia.
The Byzantine emperor built a defensive wall to prevent the Normans from coming back.
The Ottoman Turks captured the city in 1387 and it remained under them until 1912.
They extended the Byzantine fortress and constructed the aqueduct.
The Bulgarians defeated the Ottomans and occupied Kavala for a brief period in 1912 until it was annexed to Greece in 1913.
During the WWII the city was given to the Bulgarians by the Nazis in 1941, but it was liberated in 1944.
The Festival of Philippi is a top festival of Kavala that includes theatrical performances and music concerts.
Other popular festivals of Kavala are Cosmopolis, Giannis Papaioannou, Ilios ke Petra and Wood Water Wild Festival.
Some of the notable people of Kavala are Muhammad Ali Pasha, George Georgiadis, Theodore Kavalliotis, Kleon Krantonellis, Anthi Karagianni, and so on.
Panagia is famous for tobacco and marble.
Where is Kavala?
- 95 miles/ 153 km from Thessaloniki, Greece
- 22.8 miles/ 36.8 km from Drama, Greece
- 36.9 miles/ 59.4 km from Xanthi, Greece
- 164.6 miles/ 265 km from Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- 152.2 miles/ 245 km from Septemvri, Bulgaria
- 92.5 miles/ 149 km from Alexandroupoli, Greece
- 405.1 miles/ 652 km from Athens, Greece
- 275.2 miles/ 443 km from Istanbul, Turkey
- 17 miles/ 27.4 km from Kavala Airport, Greece
- 98.1 miles/ 158 km from Alexandroupolis Airport, Greece
- 100.6 miles/ 162 km from Lemnos Airport, Greece
- 106.8 miles/ 172 km from Thessaloniki Airport, Greece
Things to See
- Ancient City of Philippi
- The Old Aqueduct
- The Castle
- Statue of Mohamed Ali
- Monasteries and Churches
- Archeological Museum
- Statue of Nike
- Municipal Museum
- Tobacco Museum
- The Town Hall
- Imaret
- Walk to Profitis Illias
Beaches
- Toska Beach
- Batis Beach
- Kalamitsa Beach
- Periyiali Beach
- Rapsani and Navagos are the two other popular beaches of Kavala
Excursions
- Walking Tour Around the City
- Thassos Island
- Samothraki
The Kavala weather is ideal for a holiday, and both foreigners and locals take advantage of the sunny weather and beach activities.
The nightlife is more colorful and the streets bustle with tourists.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
