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Kavala
Backing on to the lower slopes of Mount Simvilon, is the second
largest city of Macedonia and a principal port for northern
Greece. Coming in through the suburbs there seems little to
commend a stay, but the Panagia quarter above the port
preserves a scattering of eighteenth and nineteenth century
buildings, and considerable atmosphere. It is by far the most
attractive part of town to explore, wandering amid the
twisting wedge of lanes and up towards the citadel.
Mehmet Ali,
the Pasha of Egypt and founder of the dynasty which ended with
King Farouk, was born in Kavala in 1769 and his birthplace, at
the corner of Paulidou and Mechmet Ali, is maintained as a
monument. To visit its wood-panelled reception rooms,
ground-floor stables and first-floor harem, ring for the
caretaker. Another caretaker may escort you through the
Citadel (summer daily 10am–7pm) so you can explore the
Byzantine ramparts and dungeon; in season it hosts a few
festival performances, mainly dance, in its main court.
 The
Archeological Museum (Tues–Sun 8.30am–3pm) at the west end
of the waterfront, just off Erithri Stavri, contains a fine
dolphin mosaic, a reconstructed Macedonian funeral chamber and
many terracotta figurines decorated in their original paint.
Close by, on Odhos Filippou, is the Folk Art Museum (daily
9–11am & 6–9pm) which, as well as traditional costumes
and household utensils, has some interesting rooms devoted to
the locally born sculptor Polignotos Vigis.
In the main square, Platia Eleftherias, is an EOT office, which can
provide schedules for daily ferries from Kavala to Thassos and
other east Aegean islands. There are hotels, beaches, museums,
restaurants and tavernas as well as an aqueduct and Byzantine
citadel. Boats can be hired for fishing, water-skiing and
sailing. Popular sandy beaches are at Kalamitsa, Batisand
Toska, and secluded ones at Iraklitsa and Peramos.
There are also some little-known stalactite and stalagmite
caves and many archaeological sites nearby. Mount Pangaion is
a good area for hunting and climbing.
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>> Macedonia :
Drama,
Florina,
Grevena,
Halkidiki,
Imathia,
Kastoria,
Kavala,
Kilkis,
Kozani,
Pella,
Pieria,
Serres,
Thassos Island,
Thessaloniki.
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