Kavala, a city that can satisfy the most demanding visitor
This historical, amazing city located like an amphitheater by the sea, combines all the things that could satisfy the most demanding visitor: mountains and sea, picturesque scenery and modern life, archaeological sightseeing, exciting excursions, cultural activities and tranquillity within nature... That is Kavala! It takes about 2 hours (165kms) to reach it by car from Thessaloniki. It also takes the same time from here to the last European City to the east, Alexandroupolis (174kms).Easily accessible, by all means, air, sea and land, Kavala becomes the perfect destination with its frequent, comfortable communications with the islands of the Aegean Sea, the rest of Greece and Europe. There are international charter flights too, departing from the modern airport, situated 20km outside the city and considered as one of the safest in the Balkans. In Kavala there are available all kinds of public services (governmental services, banks, hospitals, etc.) as well as the characteristic hospitable spirit of its 60.000 inhabitants! Kavala’s journey through history starts approximately in the Homeric era. Thanks to its position, it has always been the focus of attention. Neapolis (new city) was the original name of the city (7th century BC) which was an alien of Athens at the time of Pericles (5th century BC). It was also a very important center during the Macedonian Age. Neapolis was the very first place St. Paul stepped on European land when he came here to preach the Holy Bible and spread the Christian religion. For this reason, during the Byzantine time it was renamed Christoupolis. Its port was an important commercial location, which attracted the interest of the Romans and became the cause of destructive attacks by Goths, Huns, Normans and Bulgarians. During the 15th century it falls into the hands of Turks and remains occupied up to the beginning of the 20th century. After its liberation it becomes a modern city.