Kalamata
CultTech MSc is taught on the historic campus of the University in Kalamata, the second largest city in the Peloponnese. Kalamata is located at the center of the Messinian Bay and at the foot of the breathtaking Mount Taygetos. Students attending the CultTech MSc program have the opportunity to live and attend courses near the city centre and only a short walk from the iconic beachfront.
In contrast to its size, Kalamata remains a picturesque seaside town true to its culture and traditions. From folk dancing, traditional cuisine to paragliding and hiking adventures students can experience the essence of Kalamata city, sea and mountain. About 10% of the city’s population (80,000) are students registered in the two higher educational institutions in the city: The University of the Peloponnese and the Technical Educational Institute of the Peloponnese which recently merged and create the largest University in Greece. The city offers a vast variety of cultural and sport activities, as well as nightlife options. Kalamata is also known as the national capital of modern dance, hosting annually for the past 25 years, the International Kalamata Dance Festival.
Kalamata City website www.kalamata.gr
How to get here
Kalamata is only a two and half hour drive from Athens by car, three hours by bus from the Central Bus Station in Kifissos Athens and a mere 9 km from the Kalamata International Airport.
Bus services linking Kalamata to Athens are frequent, up to every hour on some days. More information available at https://www.ktelmessinias.gr/en
Getting around
The city of Kalamata was awarded the 2018 Best City Award (Gold & Bronze) for its infrastructure, which includes a modern bicycling and pedestrian network, making walking and cycling the best ways of getting around. Recently the Municipality began a bicycle sharing service using a phone app with 7 stations around the city including just outside the Kalamata campus.
Local Buses run frequent services across the city with four different lines. Each bus line runs approximately every 30 minutes. The fare costs 1 euro. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks or inside the bus. Bus schedules at http://astikoktelkalamatas.gr (in Greek) and Facebook page.
Accommodation
The CultTech campus is located in the city center, a short distance from the beach offering a wide variety of commercial housing options for all budgets and preferences. Although the University of the Peloponnese does not offer accommodation for its graduate students, Kalamata has a significant undergraduate and graduate student population, around 8.000 students, creating a very good market for rentals. An indicative price for a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment ranges between 200-250 euros per month including rent, electricity, water and heating.
Apartments can be found online on websites such as www.xe.gr and www.spitogatos.gr and in the ads of the local newspapers, www.eleftheriaonline.gr and www.tharrosnews.gr (in Greek).
Market and Gastronomy
Kalamata is a remarkably cultural and vibrant city. The traditional Messenian cuisine is present everywhere and at the same time the city has evolved into a gastronomic destination for every preference.
The Municipality Food Market offers fresh, local products at very affordable prices. Street food is made fresh all day and in some cases all night, with a traditional cheese pie for 1€ or a souvlaki pita at only 2.50€
Apart from the endless choices the University lounge offers three course meals for 2.50€ twice a day, for lunch and dinner. The meals include fresh seasonal salads, vegetarian dishes, traditional Messenian dishes, fruit and desserts, all in the frame of a balanced Mediterranean menu. The campus is situated in the north east part of the city with neighboring municipal sports facilities that can be used after registration with the University student card. Small coffee shops can be found around campus also offering affordable light fresh meals and juices as well as three super markets within walking distance, from two to five minutes.
CultTech MSc is taught on the historic campus of the University in Kalamata, the second largest city in the Peloponnese. Kalamata is located at the center of the Messinian Bay and at the foot of the breathtaking Mount Taygetos. Students attending the CultTech MSc program have the opportunity to live and attend courses near the city centre and only a short walk from the iconic beachfront.
In contrast to its size, Kalamata remains a picturesque seaside town true to its culture and traditions. From folk dancing, traditional cuisine to paragliding and hiking adventures students can experience the essence of Kalamata city, sea and mountain. About 10% of the city’s population (80,000) are students registered in the two higher educational institutions in the city: The University of the Peloponnese and the Technical Educational Institute of the Peloponnese which recently merged and create the largest University in Greece. The city offers a vast variety of cultural and sport activities, as well as nightlife options. Kalamata is also known as the national capital of modern dance, hosting annually for the past 25 years, the International Kalamata Dance Festival.
Kalamata City website www.kalamata.gr
How to get here
Kalamata is only a two and half hour drive from Athens by car, three hours by bus from the Central Bus Station in Kifissos Athens and a mere 9 km from the Kalamata International Airport.
Bus services linking Kalamata to Athens are frequent, up to every hour on some days. More information available at https://www.ktelmessinias.gr/en
Getting around
The city of Kalamata was awarded the 2018 Best City Award (Gold & Bronze) for its infrastructure, which includes a modern bicycling and pedestrian network, making walking and cycling the best ways of getting around. Recently the Municipality began a bicycle sharing service using a phone app with 7 stations around the city including just outside the Kalamata campus.
Local Buses run frequent services across the city with four different lines. Each bus line runs approximately every 30 minutes. The fare costs 1 euro. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks or inside the bus. Bus schedules at http://astikoktelkalamatas.gr (in Greek) and Facebook page.
Accommodation
The CultTech campus is located in the city center, a short distance from the beach offering a wide variety of commercial housing options for all budgets and preferences. Although the University of the Peloponnese does not offer accommodation for its graduate students, Kalamata has a significant undergraduate and graduate student population, around 8.000 students, creating a very good market for rentals. An indicative price for a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment ranges between 200-250 euros per month including rent, electricity, water and heating.
Apartments can be found online on websites such as www.xe.gr and www.spitogatos.gr and in the ads of the local newspapers, www.eleftheriaonline.gr and www.tharrosnews.gr (in Greek).
Market and Gastronomy
Kalamata is a remarkably cultural and vibrant city. The traditional Messenian cuisine is present everywhere and at the same time the city has evolved into a gastronomic destination for every preference.
The Municipality Food Market offers fresh, local products at very affordable prices. Street food is made fresh all day and in some cases all night, with a traditional cheese pie for 1€ or a souvlaki pita at only 2.50€
Apart from the endless choices the University lounge offers three course meals for 2.50€ twice a day, for lunch and dinner. The meals include fresh seasonal salads, vegetarian dishes, traditional Messenian dishes, fruit and desserts, all in the frame of a balanced Mediterranean menu. The campus is situated in the north east part of the city with neighboring municipal sports facilities that can be used after registration with the University student card. Small coffee shops can be found around campus also offering affordable light fresh meals and juices as well as three super markets within walking distance, from two to five minutes.