A beautiful hidden gem of Greece is awaiting YOU!
Kavala is one of the most picturesque and romantic cities of Greece; yet it is still a lesser-known destination amongst tourists. It is located in Northern Greece on the bay of Kavala and built on the slopes of Mount Symvolo. It is also considered as the main seaport of Eastern Macedonia.
In this Kavala travel guide, we will share with you our travel experience in this amazing city!
Table of Contents
How to reach Kavala?
You can reach Kavala by plane via Kavala airport (KVA) or Thessaloniki airport (SKJ). Usually, you will find much cheaper tickets to SKJ airport. From Thessaloniki, you can drive one hour and a half to reach Kavala.
The other option is to go by bus from Macedonia Intercity Bus Station in Thessaloniki. The ticket costs around 30 euros for a roundtrip and there is a discount for students enrolled in Greek universities. There is an express bus that goes directly from Thessaloniki to Kavala on the highway and takes around two hours; however, the most frequent buses make multiple stops in small villages on the way so the journey is longer and takes up to three hours. Both buses cost the same, so make sure to check the schedule before your departure on the Macedonia Intercity Bus Station website if you want to catch the express bus which operates two or three times per day.
When to visit Kavala and for how many days?
The best time to visit Kavala is between May and September for at least two days. Kavala is relatively a small city with around 70,000 inhabitants so you can get around it easily by foot. Note that there are also buses in the city but you won’t probably use them.
Top things to do in Kavala
Kavala Castle
Kavala Castle, also known as Acropolis of Kavala and Kavala Fort, was built in the first quarter of the 15th century and it stands at the top of Panagia Peninsula. The castle was constructed on the remains of the Byzantine Acropolis of Christoupolis which was destroyed in 1391.
You can reach the castle easily via the old town on foot. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8.00 am till 9 pm from May till September; 8.00 am till 6 pm in October; 8.00 am till 4 pm from November till March; and 8.00 am till 8 pm in April. The entrance fee is around 3 euros.
Don’t miss to go up to the central circular tower’s roof to enjoy a wonderful 360 view on Kavala and the Aegean sea especially during the sunset!
The Aqueduct
In most pictures of Kavala, you will see its beautiful historical aqueduct. Known by the name of “Kamares” Aqueduct; it is the most famous monument of Kavala. It was constructed between 1520 and 1530 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent to supply the city with water. The aqueduct spans over 280 meters and has 60 arches in four different sizes with a maximum height of 25 meters.
The Old City
Kavala’s old town is known as “Panagia” in Greek which refers to the Holy Virgin.The walk in the old town will let you discover Kavala’s beautiful narrow cobbelstone streets ad its historical churches and monuments.You will find there many restaurants and cafes as well as souvenirs shops.You will also have a beautiful view on kavala if you continue the walk up the old town
Kavala's Marina
Have a walk and enjoy the sunset on Kavala’s marina and fishing port.
Kavala's Beaches
Kavala has public organized beaches with crystal clear waters such as Kavala Beach but there are also secret private beaches like the rocks of Agia Varvara.
Panagouda Grove
In the center of the town, Panagouda Grove is a green space with cozy wooden resting spots where you can have a picnic and it is the place to go if you want to escape the city.
What and where to eat ?
Our last tips in this ultimate Kavala travel guide will add taste to your stay!
1. Start your day with a delicious Bougasta at Limonidis. It is located near the port facing the Holy Church of Saint Nikolaos. It is the best bougatsa cream we ever ate!
2. Have lunch at a Greek taverna with a sea view. While walking next to the port, you will find many restaurants with multiple choices. We recommend trying the seafood there!
3. Eat profiteroles at Evangelou profiteroles. It is a must try when in Kavala. The profiteroles are really fresh, they fill the pastry cream on your demand and coat them with the chocolate flavor of your choice and you can also choose the topping!
4. Have a drink with a view on Kavala castle at 180° sun & lounge
5. Have a traditional Greek dinner at Soúsouro with a unique atmosphere.
Did you know?
In the 7th century BC, Kavala was named Neapoli then in the 8th century AD it was named Christoupoli because it was the first city in Europe where Apostle Paul taught Christianity. From 1500 AD, the city was named Kavala.
We visited Kavala more than five times and each time it surprises us! There are lots of things to discover and lots of delicious food to taste: a perfect destination in Northern Greece. The city’s vibes will undoubtedly charm you!
We hope that this Kavala travel guide will help you to plan your perfect vacation!
Quick tip: From Kavala port, you can take the ferry to the magical Thassos Island!
Explore this island with us here!
Note: We only recommend places that we enjoyed visiting with no commercial benefits.