Kavala International Airport is the only passenger airport serving the northern Greek mainland and in peak season international flights arrive from across Europe.

Located on the coast of the Gulf of Kavala in the northern Aegean Sea close to the village of Agiasma, Kavala International Airport is also known as Alexander The Great Airport. The airport has been upgraded as part of a major investment programme to meet growing international travel to the region.

If you are planning a trip to northeast Greece or heading on the car ferry to the nearby island of Thassos, our friendly Avis team at Kavala International Airport is on hand to provide the perfect rental car for your trip.

You’ll find our Avis counter at Kavala International Airport in the arrivals hall close to the exit to the terminal building. Just follow signs to Ground Transportation/ Car Rental. The Avis rental car park is easy to find right outside the terminal entrance.

From the Avis car park at Kavala Airport, Kavala town centre is just a 30min, 30km drive. Head north from the airport and join the main transcontinental European Route E90 towards Thessaloniki – this section of the route has a toll. Leave at the exit for Kavala East A2 before dropping onto the palm-fringed coast road and into Kavala. The town is well signposted in English as well as Greek.

Kavala has been fought over through the centuries and with its rich history as a trading post not surprisingly its most spectacular sight is the fortified castle. The fortress sits above the ‘blue’ city reflecting the waters of the crystal-clear Aegean below.

Magical Panagia, Kavala’s old town with its brightly coloured houses and narrow streets is a highlight of any trip to this fascinating city. As you walk down from the castle to the port, spot the aqueduct, Roman in origin but rebuilt in the 16th century. Make a detour to the former home of Mohammed (Mehmet) Ali, an Egyptian dynast who lived in the town and marvel at the Imaret, a fine example of Ottoman Baroque architecture and today a 5-star hotel.

Best beaches

Even if beach holidays are not your thing, the white sandy beaches of the coast around Kavala are sure to beckon at some point during your trip. The most popular beaches in the area are Batis, Tosca, Kalamitsa, Rapsani, and Perigiali.

Kavala Airport is on the Aegean coast just a short drive from the the city of Kavala, the region’s capital.  As well as exploring Kavala town, the area has plenty in store if you are looking to plan the perfect Greek road trip.

Philippi

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi is just a short 30min (16km) drive north from Kavala. The remains of the city centre around the amphitheatre and if you are lucky enough to be there in the summer months, you might be able to catch a production during the annual Philippi Festival.

Thassos

Flying to Kavala Airport and catching the ferry is the route most visitors use to reach the dazzling green island of Thassos just off the coast of Kavala. If you hire a car from Avis at Kavala Airport, you can take your rental car across on the car ferry. A drive around the island is around 180km and takes around 2hrs.

Thessaloniki

The 150km road trip to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city after the capital Athens, takes around 1hr50min along the E90. This vibrant port city is loved for its ancient sites, stunning waterfront and café culture as well as its lively nightlife.

If you are planning on spending a week on the beach in Kavala, you might not need a car, but travelling by bus is the only public transport option in the area so if you want to make the most of your time here, hiring a car is highly recommended.

The Avis team at Kavala International Airport are experts on the region and ready to advise you on the best places to go and help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

Hiring a car is an easy way to explore Northern Greece. If you have not driven in this part of the world before, we’d advise checking the road rules for driving in Greece before you set off.

Be aware that as in the rest of mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road as you leave the airport.