Car Hire in Kavala

About Kavala

Kavala is a city in northern Greece, the main seaport of eastern Macedonia and the capital of the regional unit Kavala. It is located on the bay of Kavala opposite the island of Thassos. The city was built on the foundation of the ancient city of Neapolis. Kavala was founded in the 7th century BC by settlers from the island of Thassos. In the beginning, the city was called "New City" or Neapolis, and in the 15th century, it became Kavala. Until then it had several names. The city has a long and turbulent past with many different nations and religions ruling in the city. One of the most famous personalities from Kavala was the former ruler of Egypt, Mohamed Ali. The city was also a centre of tobacco cultivation. Many people in the villages around Kavala grew tobacco and Kavala was a kind of trade and export centre for tobacco.

Today Kavala is a popular vacation destination all year round. On the eastern side of the city is the old town with many traditional houses with small gardens and tiled alleys, while on the western side of the city is modern Kavala with shopping malls, modern buildings, and many small squares. One of the highlights of the city is undoubtedly the port of Kavala. This wonderful and romantic port will enchant you. Just walk around and enjoy the view of the many different boats and ships in different colours. But you will also be lured by the many delicious smells coming from the many taverns and restaurants here in the port. If you like seafood, this is the perfect place for you. The people of Kavala are masters at preparing seafood, so you will undoubtedly have a great time here.

Of course, there are many other things to see and do in Kavala. The city is very lively, as it is considered one of the largest transportation hubs in Northern Greece. You can visit many historical, cultural, and religious sites in the city and its surroundings. But we can not forget about the beautiful beaches of Kavala. The beaches here offer everything that tourists are looking for. Many activities with different water sports, many bars and restaurants on the beach, and the beautiful sea. The most famous beaches here are Batis, Tosca, Kalamitsa, Rapsani, and Perigiali.

But we must not forget that Kavala is also a good starting point for a road trip through Greece. If you do not have time to travel to all of Greece, there are so many amazing places to visit around Kavala that you do not have to see the whole country this time. There are many historical, cultural and religious sites around the city and also some beautiful villages and towns. If you are here for the beaches, you will also have plenty of fun. There are so many beaches in this area that you can visit a different beach every day.

So, all in all, Kavala has everything you need if you are looking for a perfect destination for your vacation. You can stroll around the wonderful old town, visit interesting museums and galleries, have fun on the beach, do water sports and end up eating great food - you can do all of this in Kavala, you just have to come here and enjoy it. The best way to get around Kavala and its surroundings are to rent a car and then make a plan according to your wishes.

Basic info and car hire in Kavala

• Location: Macedonia, Greece
• Population: 70,501
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Kavala has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate     
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Kavala are in good condition.
• Car hire in Kavala: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Kavala is at Kavala airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Kavala!

 Driving in Kavala

Renting a car in Kavala is the best solution if you also want to explore the surrounding area. In Kavala, it is much easier to drive on the west side of the city as this is the modern part of the city and the streets are wider and there are not many pedestrian areas. On the east side of the city, there is a lot of congestion, especially in the summer. So be prepared to be on the road a bit longer sometimes. To explore the old town, it's best to leave your car in one of the parking lots and then explore on foot. You can also take the tourist train through the city and hear some interesting facts and stories about Kavala and its history.

If you drive outside the city, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds this city. The roads are in good condition, so you just need to follow the rules and read all the road signs. In summer, you should pay special attention to motorcycles, because there are many of them on the Greek roads. Also note that there are some bike lanes in the Kavala area, so you have to be careful with cyclists as well. Especially in spring and autumn.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old and with some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to legally drive a car in Greece. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and must present your valid driver's license. In the US, only two organizations issue IDPs: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for vehicles from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to manually adjust the beam), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every vehicle), first aid kit (mandatory in every vehicle), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted in the car for children under 3 years of age. Child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard are approved by local authorities. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age who are smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so on the condition that the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the street to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, special parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see in Kavala

Kavala is a great destination for curious tourists. There are many different sites you can visit, and there is an interesting story behind each of them. You will find something for every taste here.

For example, you can visit the majestic Kavala Castle. This Byzantine castle was destroyed in the 14th century, but it was rebuilt in the 15th century and today you can admire the reconstructed 15th-century building. It is located on a small hill and around the castle there are houses and some amazing old streets that you can also visit. Kavala is surrounded by a defensive wall that was built in the 5th century BC. Today, the wall is a famous attraction for tourists from all over the world.

Another attraction, which is a kind of landmark of the city, is the aqueduct. This magnificent and well-preserved aqueduct, called Kamares, was built in Roman times and supplied Kavala with fresh water.

Since the city is known for tobacco cultivation, you can also visit a tobacco museum. This museum offers an insight into the history of tobacco cultivation in the region, as well as the economic and cultural history of the city and the region. One of the most interesting buildings in the city is also related to tobacco. It is the Municipal Warehouse, built-in 1910 by the merchant Kiazim Emin.

You will also enjoy a walk through the streets of the old town of Kavala. There are so many traditional old houses with pretty little gardens throughout the old town. There are also small boutiques and artisans that you can visit and buy some products there. From the old town, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the sea. As you walk down the main street, you will come to the bay and when you arrive at the bay, it is time to explore the beaches. Kavala has great beaches with lots on offer from water sports to bars and restaurants. And of course a beautiful sea. The most famous beaches in Kavala are Batis, Tosca, Kalamitsa, Rapsani, and Perigiali.

Best restaurants in Kavala:

To Araliki

Gorgones k Magkes

Sousouro

Tsalapeteinos

Balaouro

To Koutoukaki