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Kavala is a picturesque seaside city rising out of the Northern Aegean coast, and an ideal place to stop off when traveling between Athens and Istanbul. Kavala has an interesting mix of rich history, beautiful architecture, natural surroundings and modern culture that will provide something of interest to every type of traveler.
Once known as the city of Neopolis, Kavala played an important role in Macedonian history. The Via Egnatia, one of the Roman Empire's main highways, passed through Kavala. The Via Egnatia is the name of a Roman Road that connected ports on the Adriatic Sea with Byzantium (Istanbul). Philippi, just 15 km from Kavala, is the birthplace of Alexander the Great's father, Philip II. The ruins of Philippi are a good example of Roman and Byzantine architecture, and the ancient theatre holds performances in the summer. Kavala is also the first place in Europe that St. Paul set foot in after leaving Asia Minor to spread the word of Christianity.
Many historical places of interest can be visited in the old quarter of Panagia, including the old walls, the Byzantine castle, the archaeological museum, Mehmet Ali's house and the Kamares - an aqueduct that was commissioned in the 16th century by the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. No visit to Kavala would be complete without a walk through this district up the Profitis Ilias for a breath-taking panoramic view of the city, including the harbor with its colorful caiques.
For those wishing for sun and sand, there are plenty of nearby beaches, or you can take one of the frequently departing ferries to the island of Thassos, considered the Emerald Isle of the Northern Aegean. Its turquoise waters and golden sandy beaches contrast magnificently with the lush green vegetation of the island.
Kavala can be reached by air from Athens, and bus and train from both Istanbul and Athens. Located between these two fascinating cities, Kavala is an ideal place to stop over if you are making a visit of both Greece and Turkey. There are also interesting island connections to Thassos, Samothrace, Limnos and Lesvos (Mytilini), where you can continue to sites of the west Aegean coast of Turkey…
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