Kavala (Greece)

Kavala is a port town in northern Greece and the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia (Greek region). The town is located on a bay across from Thasos Island. Via Egnatia Motorway to the west is Thessaloniki (approx 160 km / 100 mi, 1,5-hours drive time), to the north is Drama (approx 37 km / 23 mi, 0,5-hour drive time) and to the east is Xanthi (56 km / 35 mi).

Via regularly scheduled ferries, Kavala is linked to the largest Northern Aegean Islands with services provided by Hellenic Seaways. These destinations (in brackets - ferry crossing times in hours) include Lavrion (14 hr), Piraeus-Athens (22 hr), Agios Efstratios Island (6,5 hr), Limnos Island (3 hr), Ikaria Island (Agios Kirikos / 22 hr, and Evdilos / 16 hr), Chios Island (10,5-12 hr), Samos Island (Karlovassi, 14,5 hr), Sifnos Island (Vathi, 13 hr), Lesbos Island (Mytilene, 7 hr), Fournoi Island (21 hr), Mykonos Island (21 hr), Syros Island (22 hr), Patmos Island (24 hr).

Kavala municipality has population over 70,000 and total area approx 351 km2 (136 mi2). The town was previously named Neapolis (Ancient Greece) and Christoupolis (Middle Ages).

During First Balkan War (2012-13) Kavala was occupied by the Bulgarians. During WW2 (1939-45), Kavala was given to Bulgaria (as an ally of Germany) in 1941.

In the late-1950s, the city expanded toward the sea by land reclamation from the region west of the seaport. The town hosts various annual cultural events, most of which are during the summer. The best-known festival (Philippi) lasts from July to September and includes theatrical and music performances.