The city was founded in ancient times as "Neapolis" by settlers from Thasos Neapolis was a member of the Athenian League, as a pillar found in Athens mentions a contribution of Neapolis to the alliance. Neapolis also minted coins in antiquity. Apostle Paul landed at Kavala on his first voyage to Europe.
In Byzantine times the city was called Christoupolis. In the 6th century Byzantine emperor Justinian I fortified the city in an effort to protect it from raids, something that was augmented in the 8th and 9th centuries, and a notable garrison was established. Due to the location of Christoupolis, the city experienced an economic flourish.
During the 20th century, the city of Kavala entered an era of prosperity. The development was both industrial and agricultural. Kavala got greatly involved into the processing and trading of tobacco. Many buildings related to the storage and processing of tobacco from that era are preserved in the city. In the late 50s Kavala expanded towards the sea by Land reclamation of the area west of the port.
Kavala\'s medieval castle is located at a hill above the town. Additionally, the town\\\'s fortifications are still widely visible, especially in the coastal front. Cosmopolis International Festival, one of the biggest ethnic festivals in Greece can be visited. Kavala captivates visitors with its excellent climate, picturesque shores, sunny beaches, archaeological sites, museums, festivals and exciting nightlife.
