In the following centuries (under Turkish rule) it developed to a commercial center of east Macedonia because of the convenient location. From the 40th to the 60th of the last century Kavala was a center of tobacco growing and processing. Many of the tobacco storage and processing houses are still a part of the cityscape. In the 70th to 90th, the textile industry was of great importance .

The decline took place with the opening of Bulgaria after the fall of the Soviet Union and the shift of sewing industry to there. Since then, the service sector and tourism is economically most important.

Kavala is situated in northern Greece, and is the birthplace of modern Egypt’s founder Muhammad Ali. His house still stands and is visitable. Ancient city of Phillipoi, 10 mins from kavala, was founded by Alexander the Great’s father, Phillip.

Phillipoi is situated next to Pangaio mountain where Ancient Macedonia’s gold mines were.

The Roman road “Egnatia” which connected Constantinople (modern Istanbul) and Rome, still exists in parts near both Phillipoi and Kavala.