See Also
• Top Meteora hotel recommendations
• Top dining in Meteora
• Travelling to Meteora from Athens
• Mainland Greece Travel Guide
• Athens Travel Guide
Meteora Tips & Recommendations
- There are two primary locations to lodge when visiting the Meteora: the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki. Fundamentally, Kastraki offers more charm and Kalambaka has more commerce and serves as the transit hub; both have plenty of great hotels and restaurants and daily bus service to the monasteries. It takes only a quarter of an hour to walk (or a very brief bus/taxi ride) between the two places, making it simple to stay in one spot and visit the other
- Most train routes to and from Kalambaka involve transferring at Paleofarsalos, where travelers have the ability to change trains for Thessaloniki or Athens. There is one direct route daily that travels between Kalambaka and Athens, taking slightly under 5 hours.
- Kalambaka’s small, street corner bus station is a subsidiary to the larger and contemporary Trikala bus terminal, 23 km away. Most ongoing services will involve changing buses at Trikala, which is well-connected to the most important mainland destinations. It takes approximately 6 hours to travel from Athens to Kalambaka by bus (including the bus change in Trikala).
- Top Accommodations near Meteora: Hotel Doupiani House (Kastraki), Divani Meteora (Kalambaka)
- Top Dining Options near the Meteora : Meteoron Panorama (Kalambaka) – Valia Calda (Kalambaka) – Qastiro (Kastraki) – Taverna Gardenia (Kastraki)
- Booking.com is the best website for searching and reserving lodging near the Meteora.
Table of Contents
Visiting the Meteora Monasteries
Though the towering limestone pillars of the Meteora landscape are stunning in themselves, the primary attraction for travelers to the area is the collection of breathtaking, centuries-old monasteries that occupy them. There were once over two dozen monasteries in the region, established and inhabited by monks seeking a life of prayerful isolation; today only six house organized monastic communities and welcome visitors: St. Nicholas Anapafasas (Agios Nikalaos), Rousanou (Agia Varvara), Varlaam, the Great Meteoron (Megalo Meteoron), Holy Trinity (Agia Triada), and Saint Stephen (Agios Stefanos). Two of the six, The Monastery of Saint Stephen and Rousanou, are modern-day convents.
All monasteries close at least one day per week, enact a strict dress standard, and charge a nominal fee of 3€ to enter. The largest and most visited monasteries are the aptly-named Great Meteoron Monastery and the Monastery of Varlaam. Holy Trinity monastery gained fame as the setting for the James Bond Film, For Your Eyes Only.
Monastery Opening Hours
- St. Nicholas Anapafasas: 9am to 5pm in summer, closed on Fridays. 9am to 5pm in winter, Sundays from 9:30am to 4pm.
- Rousanou: 10am to 4pm during summer months. 9am to 2 pm during winter. Closed on Wednesdays throughout the year.
- Varlaam: 9am to 3pm during summer months, closed on Tuesdays. 9am to 2pm during winter, shut on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.
- Great Meteoron: 9am to 3pm during summer, closed Tuesdays. 9am to 2pm during winter, closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.
- Holy Trinity: 9am to 5pm in summer, 10am to 4pm in winter. Closed each Thursday year-round.
- Saint Stephen: 9:30am to 1:30pm & 3:30pm to 5:30pm in summer. 9:30am to 1pm & 3pm to 5pm in winter. Closed Mondays year-round.
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Monastery Entrance Fee: 3€ per visitor at each monastery
Meteora Monastery Dress Code
Strict protocols are enforced inside the monasteries. To be permitted access and during their visit, women must wear skirts or dresses that fall below the knee, and men must wear trousers or shorts that end below the knee. Both women and men are barred from sleeveless attire. Visitors who forget or are unaware have simple skirts and shawls available for rental or purchase upon entry payment at monastery gates.
Meteora Monasteries with Limited Mobility
Not long ago, the only way in and out of the Meteora monasteries was either by rope ladder or being hoisted in a net or container via a pulley system from above. (When the monks were asked how regularly the ropes were replaced, their notorious reply was “When the Lord allows them to break.”) Staircases and bridges were added in the 1920s, permitting much easier – and safer – access for visitors. Even so, travelers with mobility issues will find it difficult to visit the monasteries, as reaching the entrance to most of them involves climbing hundreds of stairs. The most accessible of the lot is the Monastery of Saint Stephen, which requires no steps to enter and has ramps between most levels within the property (steps are required to visit the restroom). The Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas has only 100 steps to enter, but the monastery is built up in multiple higher levels from there. There is no elevator access at any of the Meteora Monasteries.
Saint Stephen: 0 steps
St. Nicholas Anapafasas: 100 steps
Varlaam: 120 steps
Holy Trinity: 150 steps
Rousanou: 210 steps
Great Meteoron: 300 steps
Meteora Tours
We advise taking at least one guided tour during your visit to the Meteora Monasteries to gain a deeper understanding of the historical background of the monasteries and the surrounding area. Organized tours are not provided by the monasteries themselves but rather local companies operating out of nearby Kalambaka/Kastraki that offer excellent excursions, as do day trips departing from Athens and Thessaloniki. If lodging in the region and possessing reasonable fitness, a superb plan involves both an evening sunset-timed tour and a daylong climb on foot.
The Best Meteora Tours
- Monastery Morning Exploration Tour: Visits 6 sites, tours 3. 4 hours long.
- The London Transport Museum and The Imperial War Museum London: My kids enjoyed these establishments greatly and they’re 2 of the most notable attractions for youngsters in London.
- Meteora Hiking Tour: Beautiful walk through the rocks and forest, visits 1 monastery. The only approach to see the Monastery of Ypapanti, which can`t be attained by car. 5 hours.
- Monastery Tour from the Kalambaka Train Station: Collects from the Kalambaka train station in the and views all 6 monasteries and visits 3 before returning to the train station in late afternoon. 4.5 hours.
- A certain private full-day tour: Personalized tour visits all 6 monasteries, visits 2 or 3. 6 hours.
- Meteora Cliff Scramble Experience: Hike/scramble along secret pathways up one of the tallest Meteora rocks to amazing views at the summit. 3 hours.
- Meteora Mushroom Foraging Excursion: The Meteora Natural History and Mushroom Museum provides this unique opportunity, which also includes tasting local pastries and wine and visiting the museum. It lasts three hours.
- Tour of Meteora Monasteries from Athens: Visits 3 religious sites, plus hidden natural cavities with pre-booked train travel from Athens and train station collection in Kalambaka. (Also accessible from Thessaloniki.) 14 hours.
Seeing the Monasteries On Your Own
By Car: Having a motor vehicle in the Meteora region can provide both benefits and difficulties. Due to narrow roadways and limited parking areas, expect some traffic jams and problems finding a place to park during the busiest tourist times (May to late October) outside of the most visited monasteries of Great Meteoron, Varlaam, and Agios Stefanos, particularly between 10am and 2 pm. Try to arrive at these monasteries prior to their opening hour, if possible.
Take advantage of the freedom that having a vehicle brings and drive up to the Monasteries about an hour before sunset, after most monasteries have closed. Many excellent view points will be peaceful, quiet, and all but deserted – and excellent for photos.
By Bus: Regional buses run three trips daily between Kalambaka, Kastraki, and all 6 Meteora Monasteries. A single ticket is 1.80€, an all-day pass is 5.50€; tickets can be obtained on the bus or at the Kalambaka bus terminal.
Stops are as follows:
• Kalambaka Bus Station
• Hotel Divani
• Town Hall Square (at the waterfall in front of Panellino restaurant)
• Camping Vrachos
• Kastraki Main Square
• Camping The Cave
• St. Nicholas Anapafsas
• Rousanou
• Varlaam
• Great Meteoron
• Holy Trinity
• St. Stephen
Coaches depart from the Kalambaka bus station at 9am, 12pm, and 2:30pm; returning coaches leave from St. Stephen monastery at 11am, 2pm, and 4:30pm.
On Foot:
There are numerous hiking trails to and around the monasteries that can be accessed independently or as part of a guided visit (suggested, unless you’re a strong hiker who has experience with navigation). The best hotels in the Meteora that are close to hiking trails are Guesthouse Vavitsas in Kastraki and Guesthouse Mythos in Kalambaka
The best phases of the year to stroll the Meteora hiking tracks are spring and fall. Rocks can turn out to be wet and slippery in winter months, and trails can be extremely warm in summer; hike in morning hours or late afternoon/early evening hours and carry plenty of water with you. The Meteora Paths and Kalambaka Tourist Center websites offer a good collection of interactive hiking maps that incorporate information on trail length, elevation gain, and access to water along the route.
More Things to Do in the Meteora
Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary – Kalambaka
Constructed during the 4th and 5th centuries, this Byzantine church is one of the oldest and most historic buildings in the area. It is renowned not only for its age, but also for its many distinct architectural elements that represent 17 centuries of restorations over multiple historic periods. Currently, it is the only church worldwide that exhibits an early Christian pulpit in the center of its nave.
• Open daily from 8:30-13:00 and 15:00-20:00, entrance is 2€ per person.
Geological Formation Museum of Meteora – Kastraki
An approachable, informative, and well-thought out museum that explains the history and formation of the Meteora`s magnificent geological structure. Centrally situated on Kastraki`s main square, the museum is housed within a historic building that was once the town`s primary school. The entire museum can be visited in under an hour, an easy stop that will enhance your understanding of the surrounding region.
• Open from 8am to 3pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 4pm on weekends. Free admission. Call +30 2432 025223 for more details
Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum – Kalambaka
This small modern museum showcases approximately three hundred and fifty animal species found locally as well as around two hundred and fifty mushroom varieties native to the area. Arranged over two levels, the animals are displayed realistically within their natural surroundings giving visitors an exceptional chance to learn about regional history, habits, and customs related to mushrooms – which also feature prominently in the gift shop. During certain seasons, the museum also hosts mushroom hunting excursions of the surrounding region. Great for families with young children • Open daily from 10am to 6pm, admission is 5€ for adults and 4€ for children. They can be reached at +30 2432 024959
Hellenic Culture Museum/Greek Education Museum – Kalambaka
Comfortable museum focused on the history of Greek education and written communication. Exhibitions explore the evolution of Greek schooling and playthings over time, ancient Greek writers, and Aesop’s Fables. One room is arranged like an old classroom, another highlights the history of the Meteora, and there is even a display of the first book ever printed in Greek, the Grammar of Konstantinos Laskaris of Byzantium. Excellent tours led by helpful staff who interact well with children.
• Open daily except Sundays from 11:30am to 7pm, general admission costs 5€ for adults and 4€ for children. For inquiries, contact +30 2432 075219
Digital Projection Centre of Meteora’s History and Culture – Kalambaka
This cinema located on the western edge of Kalambaka presents an informative 3D film about the formation and history of the Meteora geological phenomenon multiple times per day. Screenings are scheduled hourly from 10am to 3pm shown in Greek or English. The building has air conditioning and the entire movie (divided into 4 sections) lasts only 40 minutes, making it convenient for busy itineraries • Open daily 9:00-16:00. Free admission. Contact +30 24320 77997
Day Trips from the Meteora
- Trikala: Mid-sized community with a picturesque river passing through, free bicycle rental, a handful of good museums, and pleasant café environment. 20 km from Kalambaka.
- Skip-the-line Ticket for the Acropolis Museum
- Lake Plastiras: Extensive man-made lake surrounded by lush forest with many outdoor and water activities like horseback riding, archery, canoeing, and water-biking. 63 km from Kalambaka
- Ioannina: The capital city of the Epirus region, spread around a lovely lake and known for its Ottoman fortress ruins, history of silversmithing, and the cool Perama Cave – one of the largest in Greece. 105 km from Kalambaka.
- Vikos Gorge: This picturesque 30km mountain ravine is home to many unique plant and animal species. Hiking the full distance takes around 7 hours and it is located 135 km from Kalambaka.
