Cerulean waters, ancient ruins, and decadent (but surprisingly healthy) food.
It sounds like the hallmarks of Athens or Santorini, but you’ll find all of the above and more in Kavala, a historic city in northern Greece.
Occupied for centuries by the Ottomans, this part of the Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is a magnet for Balkan travellers, lured by gorgeous beaches, rich history and impressive archaeological remains.
But it remains relatively unknown to – and untroubled by – British tourists.
A crossroad between East and West, Greece’s ‘Blue City’ is a melting pot of cultures.
For centuries Byzantines, Ottomans, Jews, merchants, refugees and intellectuals converged and prospered here, resulting in some interesting cuisine.
You’ll find salt-cured fish, thick babos sausage, deeply-flavoured tahini and kourabiedes, the crescent-shaped, sugar-dusted almond cookies famed around the world.
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There are restaurants, churches and world-class wineries. Mountains, waterfalls, and dazzling sea.
And if you haven’t heard of Kavala’s many wonders, you soon will. Jet2 is rolling out new direct flights from the UK.
From May 2027, flights will operate to Kavala International Airport, on the Greek mainland, from Birmingham, Manchester, and London Stansted.
The northern Aegean island’s gateway becomes the budget airline’s 16th in Greece, which it says is more than any other UK carrier.
It joins several carriers and holiday operators including Wizz Air, TUI and Aegean Airlines in flying into the hub, though only TUI runs a direct route from the UK.
If you’re up for renting a car, British Airways flies to popular Greek destinations including Thessaloniki which is around a two hour drive to Kavala (on toll roads).
It’s also possible to drive from Athens to Kavala, but this will take you more than seven hours.
Tourists who have visited have fallen in love with the city, with many praising its food, architecture, and laidback coastal vibe.
Here’s everything to know about what (in our view) should be your next Grecian getaway.
Things to do in Kavala
Kavala has plenty to offer every type of tourist.
If culture is what you’re after, this is Greece, after all, so it has it in spades. Your first port of call in Kavala should be the house of Muhammed Ali and a museum dedicated to him.
And no, we don’t mean the late boxer. This attraction honours Ottoman ruler Mohammed (Mehmet Ali) who went on to become the de facto ruler of Egypt.
Tickets for the Institute Muhammed Ali, just a stone’s throw from his family home, cost €5 (£4.23).
There are other obvious attractions – the Old Town of Panagia, for example, which squeezes 2,500 years of history into its cobbled streets lined with bars and shops.
You can climb the hilltop fortress which was owned by various historic empires including Byzantines, Ottomans, Lombards and Franks. You’ll be stunned with views of the Aegean sea and the Imaret – a 19th century complex that served as a charitable foundation during Ottoman ruling.
You can actually stay in the Imaret — but you’ll need a thick wallet, as it’s one of the most expensive in the city.
However, those who are curious can still have a look around, as it offer tours every hour from 10:00 to 15:30 at a cost of just €8 (£6.77). Or, you can opt for a bite or drink at the hotel.
You’ll also see the Aqueduct, a beautiful stone structure used for transferring water around the city, which is great for photographs.
Kavala was a major tobacco warehouse exporter so you can visit the Tobacco Museum to learn more about this history.
And, after a long day exploring, Bostani restaurant is a popular choice for dinner — a garden eatery where you can tuck into local fresh produce, offering up Greek dishes with a fine dining twist.
If you prefer to unwind, head straight for Ammolofi Beach, which boasts 3km of fine sand and clear blue water. There are sun beds, beach clubs and bars aplenty.
Kalamitsa Beach is also worth a visit, and if you venture further down the coast, you’ll find Kavala Almyra Beach Bar, which has a boho vibe, plus an infinity pool and loungers.
If you prefer to be on the water than beside it, you can take a boat along the coast. You could make a day of it, and opt for a cruise that takes you to the island of Thassos, in the Aagean Sea.
Bring swimwear, as you’ll be able to dive in the waters. You might even spot dolphins.
Best time to visit Kavala
As you might expect of the Mediterranean, the weather in Kavala is pleasant. Expect daily averages of 29°C in the summer.
It’s worth bearing in mind that in summer, some parts of Greece experience extreme heat and wildfires.
The best time to visit is from mid-May to mid-June, and later in the year from September to mid-October for mild weather, pleasant sea temperatures, and fewer crowds.
Got a sweet tooth? Try Kavala's local delicacy
If you fancy yourself a bit of a cookie monster, you’re in the right place.
Kavala is famous for it’s almond cookies, also known as kourabiedes, which date back to the Ottoman Empire.
The melt-in-the-mouth biscuits are crescent shaped, and made with ground and crushed almonds and vanilla. In some parts of Greece, they’re more traditionally eaten at Christmas.
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