how to visit meteora by car

An Easy Guide to Visiting Meteora Monasteries in Greece (2024)

Wondering how to visit Meteora independently? Here is my easy guide to visiting Meteora monasteries in Greece . 

This practical Meteora travel blog includes information on the best time to go, how to get to and around Meteora, which monasteries are worth seeing, where to stay, places to eat, and other handy tips and interesting facts. 

“The beauty of Meteora is intense”. These were the words of my Greek friend who traveled with me to visit the mysterious monasteries perched atop narrow pillars of rock. The otherworldly 60 million years old rock formations with ages-old buildings perched on top looks like a surreal drawing or a CGI of a fantasy movie. 

Indeed, you have to see Meteora to believe it exists. Yet it is hard to comprehend how on earth the monks back in the medieval ages came up with an idea and actually managed to build sacred homes atop hundreds of meters tall vertical rocks. The nature and human work involved are no less than mind-blowing. 

Read this Meteora guide for everything you need to know to efficiently plan your time in one of the most spectacular places on Earth. 

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep my blog running and growing by creating more awesome free content for you.

Everything you need to know before visiting Meteora monasteries in Greece

Meteora quick links.

• CAR HIRE : The most convenient way to get to and around Meteroa independently is by car. Browse the best rental car rates at Localrent or Discover Cars .
• The Best Meteora day tour : check out this top-rated day tour to Meteora from Athens on GetYourGuide .
• CHEAP FLIGHTS: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Greece from your location.
• WHERE TO STAY: Psammites (budget); Dream Nest Meteora (mid-range); Hotel Meteora Kastraki (high-end); Divani Meteora Hotel (high-end).

Tips and FAQ for visiting Meteora

These Meteora travel tips will give you an overall idea of what to expect during your visit:

• There are 6 functional Greek Orthodox monasteries in Meteora that you can visit during their opening times (provided below in this post). 
• The entrance fee to each of the monasteries is 3 EUR per person. Budget 18 EUR if you want to visit them all. Greek nationals enter for free. 
• Each of the 6 monasteries in Meteora is closed on one day during the weekday in the summer season, and some of them a few days a week during the winter season. All of them are open during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) all year round. 
• Mind the dress code when visiting Meteora monasteries: you must cover your shoulders and knees to enter monasteries. Ladies must wear a long skirt covering the knees (pants are not allowed for ladies and they are strict about it). All of the monasteries (except Varlaam) provide skirts free of charge at the entrances. 
• Meteora’s popularity grew exponentially during the past few years. Thus, expect lots of independent visitors and even more tour buses all year round from sunrise to sunset. Visit during winter months for the least amount of people. 
• Parking is available at each of the monasteries . When it gets full, people park alongside the main road, which is normal.
• Snacks, water, and soft drinks are available to buy at the entrances to the largest monasteries- Great Meteoron, Varlaam, and Saint Stephen. Yet, bring your own bottle of water if you are planning on visiting smaller monasteries or venturing off the beaten path.
• It is possible to visit all monasteries in one day on a weekend. However, it may feel exhausting and rushed. 
• If you can, spend at least one night in Meteora to experience the sunset and the sunrise – the most magical times for photography.
• It is possible to get around Meteora and visit monasteries by walking if you are game (and fit enough to handle at least 16km uphill and downhill). 
• 5 out of 6 monasteries are accessible via a number of steep stone stairs (minimum 140 to over 200, depending on the monastery). This should be taken into consideration if a visitor has mobility restrictions. Only St. Stephen nunnery has a flat path with no staircase making it easily accessible to everyone. 
• Frescoes inside the monasteries are beyond impressive. However, photography is not allowed inside churches (they will spot you through cameras if you try to snap a shot). Yet, there are a few places in a couple of monasteries, where you can take a picture of the beautifully ornated room.

• Located in Thessaly, the central region of mainland Greece, Meteora is reachable both from Athens and Thessaloniki by car, bus, train, or tour.
• Choose Kastraki over Kalambaka for a more peaceful stay. I found staying in Kastraki a better choice as this town is smaller and quieter than the popular and busy Kalambaka. Also, parking and driving around Kastraki were always easy. Meanwhile, access to monasteries by car is equally convenient.
• Guided tours from Athens and Thessaloniki are a great option if you are not willing or cannot travel independently. There are one-day , two-day , and even 3-day tours available from both cities. 

Just to give you a heads up, Meteora is one of the absolute best places to visit in Greece . After seeing Meteora every other location looks well, just ordinary. That being said, it might be worth leaving the best for the last on your Greece itinerary. 

Also Read: 10 Epic Photo Locations in Meteora .

A brief overview of Meteora and its “suspended in the air” monasteries

Translating as “suspended in air”, the uniqueness of Meteora is simply unmatched. It is hard to find a place on Earth that packs it all- unparalleled natural beauty intertwined with cultural and historical significance. No surprise that Meteora is a UNESCO-protected site since 1988.

The distinct rocks which you can see in Meteora today are a result of the tectonic shift process which took place over 60 million years ago. The clustered smooth soaring peaks of Meteora reach up to 550 meters and are all different in shape making the typography one of a kind. 

The cultural and religious aspect comes into play from the 9th century AD when the first monks moved to the area and sought solitude in the caves of Meteora rocks. Historical sources confirm that the first sacred houses atop the steep pillars of rock started to be built by monks in the 11th century.

The technology used back in the Middle Ages required years of scrupulous and hard work to finish each monastery. By the 16th century, there were two dozen Greek Orthodox monasteries. Today only 6 of them remain and are fully functional (2 nunneries and 4 male monasteries). 

Today bridges, staircases, and even funiculars (used by monks for transporting goods) allow easier access to each of the monasteries. Meanwhile back in the day ropes and baskets were the only means available to enter the sacred homes. 

Did you know that:

• In Orthodox Christian belief the body remains the temple of the Holy Spirit. Thus, relics of saints are venerated. In every Greek Orthodox church, you will see earthy remains (bone of feet or hand, or part of a scull) embedded in altar tables. 
• Orthodox Christians were widely persecuted during the Ottoman Empire. This cruel historical fact is reflected in detailed paintings of the frescoes inside the churches. 

Fun facts about Meteora:

• James Bond’s movie “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed in Meteora and The Holy Trinity appeared in some of the scenes making it the most photographed monastery.
• Linking Park’s album “Meteora” was named after Meteora in Greece way before it was discovered by many travelers. 
• Game of Thrones fans may recognize the scenery of the fictional city of Eyrie backdrop of which was inspired again by the same Meteora in Greece. 

How to get to Meteora

Positioned in central Greece, Meteora is not the easiest or quickest place to reach. The most convenient way to travel to Meteora is by car. Yet public transport (buses and trains), as well as tours, are also available:

• Trains offer the fastest connections from Athens and Thessaloniki.
• Tours offer a hassle-free journey but also limited flexibility.
• Buses are the most inconvenient way to travel to Meteora.

The closest airports to Meteora are Athens International Airport and Thessaloniki International Airport. 

Visiting Meteora by car

Once in Greece, the most convenient way to visit Meteora is by (rental) car . It gives you full control over your own schedule and also eases moving around the Meteora area. 

It takes 4 hours 20 minutes to drive to Meteora from Athens and 2.5-3 hours to drive from Thessaloniki to Meteora. 

Also read: Renting a car in Greece: 30+ Key Things to Know before Driving in Greece .

Good to know: there are many tolls on the way from Athens to Meteora and you can pay by card or cash at the toll gate. One way we paid around 20 EUR for the tolls between Athens and Meteora. If you are traveling from Thessaloniki to Meteora, expect to pay some tolls as well.

Are you looking for great deals to hire a car in Greece? I use the websites below to shop for the best car hire rates:

• Browse Greece rental car offers between local providers at  Localrent .
• Compare the best car rental rates in Greece with international car hire companies at  Discovercars .
• I also recommend cross-checking the offers with the biggest car search engine  Rentalcars .

Visiting Meteora by train

The following train connections are available from Athens and Thessaloniki to Kalambaka (one of the two base towns for visiting Meteora).

Train from Athens to Kalambaka (or Kalampaka)

• Once a day direct intercity train from Athens (Larissa station) to Kalambaka, departing at 7:57 AM and arriving at 12:03, trip duration 4:06 hours.
• Four times a day intercity and regional trains are available with change in Palaeofarsalos

Train from Kalambaka to Athens

• Once a day direct intercity train is available from Kalambaka train station, departing at 18:22 and arriving in Athens at 22:26.
• Three times a day intercity and regional trains are available with change in Palaeofarsalos

Athens-Kalambaka one-way ticket price is around 36 EUR, return of 57 EUR.

Train from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka

• There are 6 times a day intercity and slow regional trains with interchange in Palaeofarsalos town departing from Thessaloniki (Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos) to Kalambaka. The journey takes between 3 to 6 hours depending on the time of the day.

Train from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki

• There are 5 times a day intercity and slow regional trains with an interchange in Palaeofarsalos town departing from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki. The journey takes between 3 to 5 hours depending on the time of the day.

Thessaloniki-Kalambaka one-way ticket price is around 27 EUR, return is 34 EUR.

For up-to-date train schedules, ticket prices, and booking tickets to Meteora (Kalambaka) online, visit the national railway website .

Visiting Meteora by Bus (from Athens and Thessaloniki) 

The least convenient, and the most time-consuming option is taking a bus. 

• From Athens “Liossion” bus station you can catch a bus to Trikala town and then another bus to Kalambaka. This trip due to less convenient schedules can take up to 8 hours. 
• From Thessaloniki “Macedonia” bus station catch a bus to Trikala and then another bus to Kalambaka. Allow enough time to change buses.

Visiting Meteora by tour

If you do not have your own means of transport and prefer having a knowledgeable guide, and all the logistics sorted, joining a Meteora tour either from Athens, Thessaloniki or Kalambaka is a good idea. Even with limited time, it is feasible to join a day tour and experience the magic of this truly incredible place.

If I was to choose a tour to Meteora, these would be my top picks (based on the ratings and reviews of other travelers):

• From Athens: Full Day Rail Tour to Meteora – this is an award-winning top-rated day trip from Athens by train. Return train tickets are included in the price. You will be going around Meteora in a minibus with a small group. Check all Meteora from Athens tours here.
• From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus trip to Meteora – if you are based in Thessaloniki, you can join one of the best-rated Meteora day tours with fantastic knowledgeable guides.
• Kalambaka: Majestic Sunset Meteora Tour – if you are already in Kalambaka or Kastraki, you can join a guided sunset tour which includes visiting a couple of monasteries and will bring you to the best lookout points for sunset- the best time to witness Meteora’s beauty.
• From Athens: Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Guided Tour – this tour includes a hotel stay in Kalambaka, and is a great option as you will also visit the other important historical site of Delphi.
• From Athens: 3-Days in Meteora & Delphi with Tours and Hotels – ideal option to experience Meteora at a slower pace, and also visit Delphi on the way back to Athens, accommodation included in the price.

How to get around Meteora

There are multiple ways to get around Meteora: car, scooter, taxi, electric bicycle, tour, and walking (or even hiking). 

When I was planning my trip to Meteora I couldn’t get a grasp of how big or small the area actually is. The logistics of getting between the monasteries was a mystery as the place itself.

It all became very clear, however,  when I got there and drove one loop from Kastraki over the main road ( Epar. Od. Meteoron-Kallitheas ) leading to monasteries and then back down to Kalambaka. Although Meteora is quite expensive, it is small enough to get around either by car, taxi, or even cycling and walking. 

Map of Meteora

Click here to open and save my Meteora map which shows the exact locations of each monastery and other points of interest mentioned in this Meteora guide.

• Getting around Meteora by car. The easiest way is to drive around Meteora on your own or in a rental car. There is only one main road with a couple of side roads winding above Meteora rocks and monasteries. Getting lost is impossible. The distances between monasteries are short thus you can drive between them in minutes. Parking is available at each of the monasteries as well as at several lookout points.
• Getting around Meteora by scooter. You can rent a scooter in Kalambaka and drive around monasteries easily(taken you are comfortable riding windy and hilly roads). Expect to pay around 18-30 EUR per day for a scooter. 
• Getting around Meteora by taxi. If you do not have your own transport, the other quick way to get to the monasteries and between them is to hire a taxi. One trip costs 5-7 EUR depending on where you are going. If you don’t mind and enjoy walking, you can limit your taxi rides to one or two. Ask the driver to get you to the Great Meteora monastery at the far end on the west side and then visit the remaining on foot. Call the taxi to bring you back to town (Kalambaka or Kastraki, depending on where you stay). Alternatively, return by walking downhill. 
• Getting around Meteora by e-bike. Another great transport option available for rent in Kalambaka is an e-bike. Rents are available for a duration of a few hours, half-day, to a full day (around 25 euros for a full day). 
• Getting around Meteora by walking or hiking – the distances between monasteries are relatively small, thus many people choose to walk along the main road or hike the foresty paths between monasteries. Nonetheless, it is around 16 kilometers distance if you do a circular route starting your walk/hike from Kalambaka or Kastraki. Thus, account for a full day if you aim to visit monasteries on walking. 

• Cycling around Meteora . It is also possible to cycle around Meteora but you must be quite fit to tackle all the uphills. Walking is much easier than peddling steep inclines. In fact, apart of one group of mountain bike cyclists venturing the verdant hills above Meteora, we didn’t see many people cycling around. 
• Getting around Meteora with a tour . For those of you who have limited time, require guidance, and/or aren’t keen on walking, there are plenty of tours available to book in Kalambaka (Meteora). For example, this Meteora sunset tour from Kalambaka is top-rated by travelers.

The best time to visit Meteora

• For best weather: the best time to visit Meteora is autumn (mid-September to November) and spring (mid-March to May) when the day temperatures are the most pleasant (15-25 °C/83-59 °F).

However, do not expect to be the only visitor. I traveled to Meteora on the last week of October hoping it to be empty, and it was far from that, especially on the weekend. Tour buses were unavoidable, arriving at the most popular viewing points for sunset and sunrise on the dot and then heading directly to the monasteries (which open quite late at 9 am).

• For the least crowds : the best time to go to Meteora is in winter (December-February). Yet, you can expect snow (it does freeze at night) and quite cold during the day (6-12 °C/42-53 °F)
• Avoid: summer is possibly the worst time to visit Meteora due to the heat and thousands of tourists. In June-August temperatures during the clear day are an average of 27-33 °C/80-91 °F. It can be way more on clear midday under the sun.

How many days in Meteora? 

I would recommend spending a minimum of 1 night in Meteora allowing yourself to experience sunrise and sunset over the Meteora valley. Those are magical times of the day not to be missed.

However, if you are planning on doing some serious photography and want to capture each monastery at its best light, or in general, spend more time properly exploring the area at a slower pace, plan at least 2-3 nights in Meteora .

You could easily spend more as the place is so beautiful and can keep you busy not only with visiting monasteries, but also hiking Meteora, and exploring the surrounding areas if you drive.

Visiting Meteora in one day is also possible but it is tiring and rushed. Even if you are arriving on a tour, try to include at least spending one night in Meteora.

Make sure to also read my post about 10 Epic Photo Locations in Meteora .

Meteora monasteries opening times

Meteora monasteries have longer opening times in summer (April 1 st to October 31 st ) and shorter in winter (November 1 st to March 31 st ). Refer to the monasteries’ opening times and hours both for summer and winter below.

Meteora monasteries opening days and hours in summer (April 1 st to October 31 st ):

• Great Meteoron Monastery: 9 AM – 3 PM, closed on Tuesdays;
• Varlaam Monastery: 9 AM – 4 PM, closed on Fridays;
• Roussanou Monastery: 10 AM- 4 PM, closed on Wednesdays;
• Holy Trinity Monastery: 10 AM -4 PM, closed on Thursdays;
• St. Stephens Nunnery: 9 AM-1:30 PM and 3:30 PM-5:30 PM, closed on Mondays;
• Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery: 9 AM – 5 PM, open every day.

Meteora monasteries opening days and hours in winter (November 1 st to March 31 st ):

• Great Meteoron Monastery: 9:30 AM – 2 PM, closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays;
• Varlaam Monastery: 9 AM – 3 PM, closed on Thursdays and Fridays;
• Roussanou Monastery: 10 AM- 2 PM, closed on Wednesdays
• Holy Trinity Monastery: 10 AM -4 PM, closed on Thursdays
• St. Stephens Nunnery: 9:30 AM-1 PM and 3 PM-5 PM, closed on Mondays
• Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery: 9 AM – 4 PM, and 9:30 AM – 4 PM on Sundays, open every day.

Which Meteora monasteries to visit?

Which of Meteora monasteries you shouldn’t miss and which ones should you skip? 

Great Meteoron and Varlaam are the largest monasteries, while St. Stephano nunnery is the easiest to access as it doesn’t have steep staircases. All three monasteries are very popular and most of the tour buses head to those.

After reading different opinions and then visiting the monasteries myself, below I share a short overview of each of the monasteries to help you get an idea and make your pick if you can’t visit them all.

Legend:  *** my favorite, **  good to visit, * if you have time.

Note that it is based on my personal opinion and you may agree or disagree with me at the end of your trip. Nonetheless, I hope it will still be helpful should you need to choose which monastery to go to and which one just to admire from afar. 

St. Nikolas of Anapafsas (14th century) Monastery Meteora ***

Rising up from a lonely pillar, at a lower elevation than others, St Nicholas Monastery is the smallest of all six. It is the first monastery you will come across when driving (or walking) a circular route from Kastraki. Or it will be the last when coming down the road from Kalampaka side towards Kastraki. 

Good to know:  

• St. Nikolas is the least visited monastery. Tour buses tend to skip it, which means it is quieter and less busy than other monasteries.
• There is a beautiful chapel with some of the best in Meteora 16th-century frescoes depicting Biblical scenes. 
• There are several viewpoints, with an amazing rooftop terrace.
• St. Nikolas has the steepest and longest climb out of all Meteora monasteries. Another reason why people tend to skip it.

St. Nikolas of Anapafsas was the monastery I was going to skip and ended up visiting twice! Yep, I did love it that much. While other people seem to neglect it for not being impressive enough, which I completely disagree with, I felt like Agios Nikolas monastery was the least commercialized and the most secluded. Even my Greek friend felt the same way.

Indeed, the climb to reach the monastery is quite steep with possibly the largest number of steps to tackle. For this reason, many tourists don’t bother climbing, and tour buses carrying big groups skip it. 

To me, the miniature, yet 3-floor monastery felt very homey. The katholikon (the church of the monastery where monks pray) has a special energy, while the rooftop terrace is open to fascinating close-up views of the rocks of Meteora, Kastraki town below, Russsonou, and Varlaam monasteries at a distance.

Roussanou (1529) monastery in Meteora Greece***

Situated within a green forest, beautiful inside out, Roussanou is a nunnery dedicated to Saint Barbara. According to the ancient story, for accepting and promoting Christianity, Agia Varvara (st. Barbara) was beheaded by her pagan father.

Today, 13 nuns inhabit Rousannou which is the second smallest monastery among surviving six. Although to reach Russanou you will have to tackle a few steep steps, it is one of the easiest to access. Nonetheless, many tour buses still skip it because due to its smaller size it cannot accommodate large groups of tourists. This makes Russanou a little less visited and it was my second favorite monastery out of six.

And did I mention that Roussannou is one of the most photographed monasteries as it is extremely photogenic and has a variety of wonderful angles to capture it from?

Make sure to also read my guide to The 10 best locations to photograph Meteora and its hanging monasteries .

Holly Trinity (Agia Triada, 1362) Monastery in Meteora***

Boasting captivating views over Kalambaka and surrounding Meteora rocks and valleys, Holly Trinity is a gorgeous byzantine monastery accessible through a sheer stairway cut into the cliff.

A windy stone path leads to the foot of the imposing lonely rock which made a base for the 14th century Agia Triada. Being featured in a popular James Bond film, today Holy Trinity is the other most photographed monastery in Meteora, especially by aerial photographers. 

Do not shy away from 145 steep steps and make sure to visit Holy Trinity. To me, Holy Trinity is unmissable, especially for the views over the Meteora valley. 

Great Meteoron monastery (14 th century)***

Established in the mid-14th century, the largest and one of the oldest, Great Meteoron Monastery holds a commanding position on the highest cliff. Due to its many red-roofed buildings, the monastery can be mistaken for a small fortified town rather than a holy place.

Visiting the Great Meteoron monastery and its museums will provide you with good insight into the story of the area and the life of the monastic community. Meanwhile one of the most interesting and rather spooky parts inside Great Meteoron is the sacristy where you can see hundreds of skulls of the monks who have lived there over the years. 

Tip: Great Meteoron monastery is one of the most popular hence it gets very busy during the day. Parking can be packed as well. Thus, it is a good idea to plan to visit the Great Meteoron monastery as soon as it opens. 

Varlaam Monastery in Meteora (1350) **

Located on a slightly lower elevation, just a few steps away from the Great Meteoron, Varlaam is the second-largest monastery in Meteora.

Varlaam has several great lookout points, including a beautiful courtyard overlooking Meteora valley with Roussanou in the distance. There is also a small museum that briefly introduces the history of the area and some interesting facts about monastic life in the old days.

Thus, if you cannot visit Great Meteoron, Varlaam is a good alternative to visit. 

To me, Varlaam, although undeniably beautiful, felt too commercialized (the same applies to Great Meteoron and even Saint Stephan).  The souvenir stalls at the entrance are a bit of a vibe killer. Let alone there are masses of people visiting.

Thus, in my humble option, it is enough to see one of the two biggest monasteries and spend some more time exploring the above-mentioned smaller ones. 

Good to know: Varlaam monastery does not provide free skirts for ladies. Thus, make sure to bring your own, or purchase one for 3 euros at the entrance (this is separate from the 3 euros entrance fee). 

Saint Stephen Nunnery (14-19 th century)*

At the southern edge of the Meteora cluster, and just a minute’s drive from Holly Trinity monastery, Saint Stephen’s nunnery was first inhabited by ascetic Jeremiah, in the early twelve century. Evolving through centuries, the whole complex was completed in the 19th century.

Due to the easy access over the small bridge, St. Stephen’s monastery is one of the most frequented and can get uncomfortably busy. For this reason, it was my least favorite, yet is worth visiting for its impressive frescoes.

The best lookout points in Meteora for sunset and sunrise

There are plenty of wonderful viewpoints of the monasteries available when following the main road. That being said, a couple of the spots for Meteora photography for sunrise and sunset watching are:

• Psaropetra lookout/ Sunset Rock (perfect for sunset)
• Main Observation Deck of Meteora (great for sunrise and sunset)

These two spots are amazing but also very popular. If you want to find out more of the best Meteora photo locations (including fewer known ones), make sure to read my post about the 10 best spots for Meteora photography.

Recommended places to eat in Meteora

• Meteora Restaurant in Kalambaka – yep, the name is simple and clear- this is a family-run taverna since 1925. The traditional slow-cooked Greek food was delicious (we ate there twice), service is excellent, and you get to choose between sitting in a garden with the views of the rocks during the day or dining inside the dining room excessively decorated with souvenirs and almost a centuries’ old remembrances.
• Taverna Gardenia in Kastraki – this is a popular and beloved dining spot in Kastraki serving traditional Greek foods.

Recommended coffee shop in Meteora

For the best coffee head to 14oz in Kalambaka. Set on the main road at the entrance to Kalambaka, 14oz had the best coffee I managed to find during my Greece road trip. I love my good coffee and I am very picky with it. I have to admit I struggled with finding great coffee during my fairly short visit, but this coffee shop in Kalambaka did not disappoint. If you love it a little bit chocolaty, try their hot Mochaccino. Don’t miss the homemade granola bar dipped in dark chocolate, yum.

What are the top foods to try in Kalambaka and Meteora?

Moussaka for meat lovers, saganaki for cheese lovers, and stuffed eggplants or stuffed peppers and tomatoes for vegetarians. Also, big white beans are one of the best vegetarian traditional dishes found all over Greece, also available in Meteora’s restaurants.

Where to stay in Meteora

There are two towns you can stay in Meteora:

• Kalambaka -a bigger, more popular town with plenty of restaurants, bars, pastries, and souvenir shops. It would be a more convenient place to stay for those of you who arrive by train or bus as the stations are located in Kalambaka. 
• Kastraki – a smaller, quieter, cozier, town which is easy to park at and also has a few fantastic places to eat, a great choice for those who drive. 

Nonetheless, both towns offer some great accommodation options and are equally convenient for reaching the Meteora complex in a matter of minutes (when driving). Also, Kastraki and Kalambaka are steps away from each other. Thus, if you drive, you can get between the towns quickly. 

Check my top picks of Meteora accommodation below.

Suggested accommodation in Kastraki

Dream Nest Meteora $$. We stayed in this cozy immaculately clean and tastefully furnished one-bedroom apartment. This family accommodation has two apartments located in beautiful surroundings at the foothills of Meteora. The host was kind enough to refund one night’s stay on my non-refundable booking when my flight got delayed for a day.

Hotel Doupiani House $$. Well-furnished rooms with balconies opening to fantastic views over Meteora, as well as a common terrace area to have excellent breakfast and a drink at an on-set bar in the evening. Saint Nikolas Anapafsas Monastery is located steps away.

Hotel Meteora at Kastraki $$$. Set at a higher point of Kastraki this hotel has killer views over Meteora and a large pool to cool off during a hot day. The rooms are clean and simple, but the views are what makes the biggest appeal. Fabulous breakfast is also included.

Suggested accommodation in Kalambaka

Psammites $. This affordable and brand-new minimalistic studio apartment offers a comfortable stay in the quiet surroundings of Kalambaka. It also has a patio, a terrace with a seating area, and a garden.

Monastiri Guesthouse $$. Located 200 meters away from Kalambaka town center and close to the train station, this guesthouse has a variety of expressively decorated rooms with frescoes and wooden floors, a big garden with a pool open to Meteora views. Great breakfast is also included, and room service is available upon request.

Divani Meteora Hotel $$$. This hotel offers a sophisticated 4-star stay experience: spacious rooms decorated by award-winning interior designer feature oak-wood furnishings and wooden floorings, and some rooms have large verandas. The recreational area includes an indoor and huge outdoor pool, sauna, and spa. Breakfast included in the room’s price is very good.

I hope you found this Meteora travel blog useful and that it has helped you to easily plan your visit to Meteora monasteries. If you are planning your trip to Greece, make sure to check out my Greece travel resources as well as browse other posts about Greece on my travel blog (scroll down).

Greece travel essentials & useful links

Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.

• CAR RENT: The most convenient way to get to and around Meteroa independently is by car. Browse the best rental car rates at Localrent or Discover Cars .
• ACCOMMODATION: book your perfect stay using Book i ng.com .
• VISA: apply for a Schengen visa easily at iVisa . Use OneWayFly to reserve dummy flight tickets/hotels if required for your visa application.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: get 5% off your insurance by using my link on Heymondo , a travel insurance provider.
• GUIDED TOURS: Find the best day tours in Greece on GetYourGuide .
• eSIM CARD: Stay connected before you land. Airlo offers eSIM card with data up to 10 GB (30 days) data package for Greece and Europe.
• FLIGHT GOT CANCELLED OR DELAYED? You may receive compensation of up to 600 EUR. Consult and get support from AirHelp or Skycop .
• AIRPORT TRANSFER: Book a private hotel transfer from Athens Airport .

More articles on my Greece travel blog

• Browse all of my Greece travel blog posts HERE .
• 10 Epic Photo Spots in Meteora , Greece.
• Planning on renting a car in Greece? Here are 30+ Key Things to Know Before Driving in Greece .
• Would you like to visit Greece off the beaten path? Check my  Guide to Kastoria: the most beautiful lakeside town in Greece.
• Have your travel to or from Europe been delayed or canceled? Read my guide on How to get compensation for your disrupted journey (my one-week Greece trip was delayed by 22 hours due to flight cancelation).

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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Driving from Athens to Meteora: A Complete Guide to Visiting Meteora by Car in 2024

Driving from Athens to Meteora is an incredible addition to any Greece trip. Meteora is a vividly stunning UNESCO world heritage site in central Greece, and best of all, it is easy to go from Meteora to Athens by car.

Get Lost in Wanderlust contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of the links below, we may receive a very small compensation at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we use and trust. Read our disclaimer for more information.

Click Here to Book a Car in Athens

I recommend Discover Cars to check prices and book car rentals in Greece. Discover Cars allows you to compare prices of several different car companies. You can find great deals by using Discover Cars, and it also shows the reviews of the car companies, allowing you to find the best-rated car for the best price.

Driving from Athens to Meteora: Renting a Car

Renting a car and driving from Athens to Meteora is a great option as it allows you to be on your own schedule and see other sights along the way.

Where to Rent a Car in Athens

There are several car rental options available at the Athens International Airport. I recommend using Discover Cars to search for the cheapest and highest rated car rental in Athens.

Make sure to book your rental car at Athens Airport, because this way you can drive on a highway that goes around the city of Athens instead of through the city center. The center of Athens is confusing, with chaotic drivers and several one way roads, and so it is best to avoid it all together by picking up your car at the airport!

Find and Book your Car Rental in Athens through Discover Cars

Always book a car from a highly rated car company. We use Discover Cars to search the highest rated and most affordable rental car option. Click here to book your rental car at Athens Airport

Important Information for Renting a Car in Greece

Make sure to get insurance on your rental car. Having insurance will give you protection in case of an accident or accidently damage to the car, and so it is important to have coverage.

Car rental companies will offer you a basic coverage option with a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) that will protect you in case of damage to the car. Typically for a basic insurance option, you may be required to pay up to a certain amount if damage occurs, but would be covered after that.

You also can get full coverage insurance, which will be the most expensive option but provides peace of mind as there is typically no deductible for damage with full coverage.

Another option is to check if the credit card you are using for the booking offers car rental insurance. If it does, you’ll want to read over what the coverage includes and it is good to have a copy of this to show the rental car company in case they ask for proof of insurance. The same thing goes for certain travel insurances that may include rental car coverage.

Collecting the Rental Car

When collecting your rental car, it is a great idea to take a quick video walk around of the car’s condition, and note any visible scratches or dents. Make sure that any scratches, dents, or other noteworthy damage is properly noted with the person checking you in.

👉 Click here to Check Prices and Book your rental car from Athens Airport

International Drivers License

If you are coming from the United States, you’ll want to get an international drivers license. When we went, we were not asked to show the international license, but it’s better to have it just in case. Getting an international license is easy, you just go to your nearest AAA office and apply. The cost is typically around $20 and the license should be valid for 1 year.

Rules of the Road

In Greece, you will drive on the right side and pass on the left, the same as in the United States. One thing to know is that locals tend to drive fast, and so let them pass you if needed. Typically, people will pull to the side as much as possible to let faster cars pass.

The road from Athens to Meteora is mostly a toll road, which means that the road is in great condition and is well-kept. There are several different toll booths along the drive typically ranging from 1-2 Euros each. Many of the toll booths will take card, but it is a good idea to keep some change (Euros) just in case.

Driving from Athens to Meteora: The Best Route to Take

The best route to take is to pick up your rental car from Athens Airport, and then drive straight to Meteora. On the way back, I recommend a slightly different route, with a detour to Delphi or to further explore on a Greece road trip.

I recommend driving to Meteora first as the drive this route is relatively easy, which lets you get used to driving your rental car on easy, flat roads. This drive will be around 4.5 hours + stops. The roads are well-kept toll roads which allowed you to go 100-120 kph on average.

The majority of the road on this route is straight and flat as it goes through the Thessalian plain. After Lamia, you will get some more hilly/mountainous type of roads, but the duration is short and it is still quite easy to drive (much easier than the Delphi area).

Thermopylae – A great stop while driving from Athens to Meteora

This was the location of the famous battle where 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians fought to hold back the invading Persian army. It is right in the middle of the drive (2 hours in) making it a great stop on your drive from Athens to Meteora.

Here you can see the Memorial to Leonidas and the 300 Spartans , as well as stop at the Historical Information Center (open 9am-5pm). A stop here will only take you about 15 minutes-1 hour depending on your level of interest.

Thermopylae is also along the easy route to Meteora, which goes mostly through the Thespian Plains. If you are looking for an easy drive, go this route with a mid-point stop at Thermopylae.

Driving to Athens from Meteora: An Alternate Route through Delphi

After visiting Meteora, you can choose to take the same, easy route back to Athens or take a slightly longer route to see Delphi, which is one of the most historically significant sites in all of Greece.

This is a longer drive of around 6 hours that goes through the mountains, but you will stop at one of Greece’s most famous historical sites.

If you go this route, I highly recommend spending 1 night in Delphi to break up the drive. The hotels in Delphi are very affordable, I believe we paid $45 for one night. Otherwise you would need to leave very early in the morning.

Delphi: A Stop in One of Greece’s Most Important Sites

Delphi is one of the most important historically sites in Greece and should be on any list for an adventure in Greece. It will take around a half day to visit the Delphi archeological site and museum.

If you are a confident driver or have experience driving in the mountains, this drive shouldn’t be a problem. It does contain mountain driving with some hairpin turns and drop offs, but the roads are paved and in good condition.

However, if you are nervous of mountain driving or scared of heights, you could consider doing a guided day tour from Athens, and instead take the first route back to Athens. I also would not recommend making this drive in winter weather.

👉 Don’t want to drive to Delphi? Click here to book a guided day tour from Athens.

After spending a night in Delphi, you can continue on to Athens or go towards Nafpaktos. In Nafpaktos, you will cross the bridge into the famous Peloponnese peninsula to see sites such as Olympia, Corinth, and Mycenae.

Alternative Options to Driving

There are two alternative options to seeing Meteora without driving. The first is to take the train from Athens Larissa Train Station to Kalabaka.

Want to visit Meteora without a car? A guided day trip from Athens is your best option. Check out this full day Athens to Meteora Guided Tour .

The Ultimate Adventure in Greece- What to do in Meteora

Visit the 6 monasteries

Visiting the monasteries is the highlight of Meteora. You can choose to drive up, hike up, or take a guide tour. We chose to drive, as there is already quite a few steps at each monastery and so we wanted to save our energy + time by driving. The opening times of each monastery varies and can be found on the official website here .

👉 Check out this half day Guided Tour of the Meteora , which allows you to visit the monasteries and get the best views, without worrying about driving or parking!

Watch the Sunset

There are several great look out points, where you can easily park and obtain an amazing view of the Meteora monasteries. This is a great spot for photographers, as well as the best places to catch the sunset.

🌄 Looking for the best sunset spots in Meteora? I recommend taking the Meteora Sunset Tour which will show you the best sunset spots and provide you with lots of history about Meteora!

👉 Click here to book your Meteora Sunset Tour through Viator

There is plenty of hiking trails throughout Meteora. More information on hiking trails can be found via the Meteora Trails website here . You can also choose to take a Guided Hiking Tour in Meteora .

Staying in Meteora

Where to stay in meteora: divani meteora hotel.

Divani Meteora Hotel is centrally located in the small town outside of Meteora. This hotel has excellent ratings and has great views of the Meteora monastaries. In the summer, the pool and air-conditioned rooms make it a perfect place to cool off after exploring the monasteries. Click Here to Check Prices and Book Divani Meteora Hotel

How long to stay in Meteora

I would recommend staying 2 nights in the Meteora area, but you can make do with 1 night if that is all the time you have. The reason I highly recommend 2 nights is that it gives you a full day where you can focus on seeing all the monasteries, checking out the view points, and heading back up for sunset views. This allows for you to also enjoy your time rather than feeling rushed.

Where to stay in Meteora

For where to stay near Meteora, check out this map of nearby accommodations:

In regards of where to stay, you will want to choose between Kalabaka or Kastraki. Below are some of the highest rated and best accommodation options.

📍 Best Option for Incredible Views – Hotel Doupiani House

Hotel Doupiani House is a boutique hotel that offers amazing views of Meteora and has a 9.4 rating. Located steps away from Meteora in the quiet village of Kastraki this is a great option for a room with a view! They also offer a buffet breakfast which provides a perfect start to your day.

✔️ Click here to book Hotel Doupiani House and experience the incredible views!

📍 Best Boutique Hotel – Dellas Boutique Hotel

Dellas Boutique Hotel is another great hotel option with a 9.2 rating. It offers a great variety of beautifully decorated and rooms, many of which have an amazing view.

✔️ Click here to book your stay at Dellas Boutique Hotel

Where to eat in Meteora

Meteoron Panorama . We had dinner at Meteoron Panorama and would recommend it. They serve mostly Greek food. Overall, the food was good and the views were even better! We loved being able to sit outside and admire Meteora.

The Diner & Cocktail Bar by Rapsodia. The food was very good here, although more similar to American food which was a change of pace as we had been traveling in Greece for awhile.

Feel the Rocks. This was a rooftop bar that we stopped for drinks at and it had some great views of Meteora.

Important things to know when visiting Meteora:

• There is a strict dress code for visiting the monasteries . Men should wear pants and women must cover shoulders, as well as wear dresses or skirts that cover the knees. If you do not have a skirt on, they will require you to wear a tie on skirt that is borrowed from the front of the monastery.
• Each monastery has differing opening times . Also, they each are closed 1 day per week. If you plan to visit all of them, Saturdays are currently your best option. It is important to check the opening times of the monasteries here.
• There are a lot of stairs + walking. If you want to do all 5 or 6 monasteries, you will need a full day to accomplish this and you will want to keep an eye on opening/closing times to have a plan.
• Accessibility. The only monastery that is accessible with no stairs is the nunnery- Agios Stefanos (St. Stephan). This monastery only requires crossing a small bridge.
• Afraid of heights? I am! Before going I was so nervous I wouldn’t be able to manage it, but it was easier than I expected. The walls on the stairs going up are relatively high, however, if you are nervous just keep looking forward and take deep breaths. Remember, people go up these stairs every day (and the monks used to climb up!). I also highly recommend starting with Agios Stefanos since there are no stairs, and it will give you an idea of how comfortable you are.
• BRING EUROS! The monasteries charge a small admission fee and only accept cash. The fee is only a few Euros at each one.

So, is Driving from Athens to Meteora Worth it?

Yes! It is definitely worth it to drive from Athens to Meteora. Meteora is an incredibly unique destination in Greece. Additionally, the drive from Athens to Meteora can include great stops such as Delphi or Thermopylae, making it an interesting drive!

Looking to continue your adventure in Greece as a longer road trip? Check out our 6 day Greece Road Trip Itinerary for an incredible Greece road trip!

Amber is the owner and author of Get Lost in Wanderlust, a blog that helps travelers plan incredible trips across Europe from bucket list cities to charming hidden gems. She has a Bachelor's Degree in History and Psychology, and enjoys learning more about the culture and historical significance of each place she visits. When she isn't exploring Europe, she loves reading, writing, and planning her next adventure.

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Full Guide to Visiting the Meteora Monasteries in Greece 2023

Welcome to this everything-you-need-to-know-guide about visiting the beautiful Meteora Monasteries in Greece.

In our opinion, Meteora is one of the most unique places you can visit in all of Europe, and it surely deserves a spot on any keen traveler’s bucket list.

That being said, we knew absolutely nothing about Meteora until our visit… In fact, we only learned of this incredible UNESCO place a couple of days before our arrival. This means we had no idea about all the important things you need to know before visiting the Meteora monasteries. And let’s be honest… You have to take a couple of things into consideration when visiting a place like Meteora.

So in this guide, we’re going to share EVERYTHING that you should know before visiting the Meteora Monasteries in Greece – such as how to get there, how much does it cost, opening hours, what to wear, hiking trails, sunset spots, information about the monasteries and much more.

We were completely blown away by the beauty of Meteora, and we hope you will be too.

AFFILIATE LINKS DISCLOSURE: Dear Reader, this blog post contains affiliate links. If you click on them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here .

How to visit the Meteora Monasteries in Greece

This part of the blog post is going to guide you through all the important things to know before you arrive in Meteora.

About the Meteora Monasteries

First things first, let’s dive into a bit of the history behind the Meteora Monasteries in Greece.

The reason why the Meteora Monasteries gained so much popularity compared to many other religious sites in Greece is without a doubt because of the location. All the monasteries, which you can visit today, are located on top of steep rock pillars.

In fact, the whole area is full of amazing rock formations, which creates some extraordinary landscapes.

The story behind the Meteora Monasteries begins in the 11th century. A lot of monks had flocked to Meteora, and they were now beginning to find ways to ascend these massive rock pillars. Many succeeded and started founding monasteries on the top of the cliffs.

The location of the monasteries was ideal for the monks because it meant that they could live their life in solitude without the influence of political issues around the country. Back then, the only way to get into the monasteries was to climb up a ladder, which the monks could draw up whenever they felt threatened.

Two dozen monasteries were eventually built, but only 6 remains today – all of which are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites .

Luckily for us, the monasteries are now open to the public, and we have the opportunity to visit all 6 of them. However, several monks and nuns are still living inside of the monasteries, which means you have to respect the religious conduct during your visit.

How to get to Kalambaka

Kalambaka City is the gateway to Meteora. So unless you’re joining a day tour from Athens or Thessaloniki, you will have to take the train or bus to Kalambaka Station.

If you’re short on time, then a day tour will probably be your ideal way to visit the Meteora Monasteries.

• Full day tour from Athens
• Full day tour from Thessaloniki

However, if you have the time for it, then I would really suggest you to stay a couple of nights in Kalambaka and take your time exploring the area. You can either catch the train or a bus to Kalambaka from Athens or Thessaloniki. We mostly traveled with train around Greece.

• Related blog posts: Things to do in Thessaloniki & Athens itinerary

How to get to Meteora Monasteries

There are several ways to explore the Meteora Monasteries in Greece. It’s all up to you how you want to see the area. Here are some suggestions (and my own experience) on how to visit the Monasteries of Meteora.

1. Join a tour

If you’re short on time or if you prefer to have a guide to teach you about the monasteries and the area, then you can easily join a tour in Meteora.

There are several different types of tours that you can join in Meteora, here are the best ones I can find:

• Electric bicycle tour : A fun and affordable way to experience the Meteora Monasteries while getting a workout. Prices begin at €45
• Panorama tour by bus : An affordable way to visit 3 out of Meteora’s 6 monasteries. The prices start at €35
• Sunset tour : I saw one of the best sunsets of my life at Meteora Monasteries. Take a sunset tour to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prices begin at €35.
• Full day tour of Meteora from Athens : Coming all the way from Athens? Check out this popular full day tour from Athens to Meteora. Prices begin at €123
• Full day tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki : Coming all the way from Thessaloniki? Check out this popular full day tour from Thessaloniki to Meteora. Prices begin at €60

2. Hike to the monasteries

We met a lot of people who hiked all the way up to the monasteries by themselves. It’s a very beautiful area to walk in (more about that at the end of this blog post), so if you’re a keen hiker, then I’d suggest you go by foot.

Just know that you have to gain a lot of elevation to get to the top of the monasteries, so keep that in mind if you’re not used to hiking. You can also book a guided Meteora hiking tour if you don’t want to navigate the trails by yourself.

3. Rent a car or a scooter

We went around the Monasteries of Meteora by scooter. The absolute most fun way to experience a place! (in our opinion).

We paid €20 a day for scooter rental in Kalambaka. The price was a bit steep for Greece, but the rental place was trustworthy. So if you’re looking into renting a scooter that can take you around the monasteries, then check out Hobbyshop Meteora (located just opposite the Holy Rock Hostel )

You can also rent a car in Kalambaka, but we unfortunately don’t have any recommendations for you since we went on a scooter.

The circuit of Meteora

All the monasteries are located in a circuit behind Kalambaka city. This means you can begin your visit from Kalambaka, then visit the monasteries one by one, and end your day back at Kalambaka. However, we’d recommend you not to try and see them all in one single day since that would put you in a rush.

Ask your accommodation, rental company or tour operator to give you a map over the area. That way you can follow the route and decide which monasteries you want to see.

The road in Meteora is well paved, so whether you’re hiking, biking, or taking a scooter or a car, you’ll be fine.

Dress code in Meteora

It’s important that you follow a specific dress code when you’re visiting the Meteora Monasteries.

Like most religious sites, you have to cover your knees and shoulders. However, there are a few extra rules to follow in Meteora.

What should men wear in Meteora Monasteries? At least a t-shirt and long pants. In some monasteries, you can enter while only wearing shorts. But if you want to make sure to get in, then you should wear long pants.

What should women wear in Meteora Monasteries? The official dress code for women is actually a skirt that goes below your knees. You can also wear a t-shirt and long pants, however, you will be asked to cover up your butt… So wear a long skirt/dress or have a scarf ready to tie around your pants.

The 6 Monasteries of Meteora – A Complete Visitor Guide

In this part of the blog post, we’re going to talk about all the monasteries in Meteora. So here are some historical facts, information about opening hours and price, and pictures of the 6 monasteries in Meteora.

1. Saint Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas (also known as Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas) is the first monastery, which you have the opportunity to visit on your trip to Meteora. It’s located in the beginning of the Meteora loop, right after you leave Kastraki Town.

Like all the other monasteries, it’s beautifully situated on top of a cliff. So it’s hard not to spot it when you’re working your way up the mountain of Meteora.

Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas was founded in the late 14th century, and it’s still unknown exactly how many monks used to live here. Today, Agios Nikolas Anapafsas is only home to one monk.

It’s also unknown what the name “Anapafsas” refers to. But the theories suggest that the monastery was either named after its founder or a benefactor, or maybe because it was a resting place for the pilgrims, who wanted to make it up the hill to some of the higher monasteries. “Anapafsas” supposedly means “to rest” in Greek.

2. Roussanou Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Roussanou is the second monastery you’ll find on your trip around the circuit of Meteora. Roussanou is located on a tall rock pillar and is accessible by stairs and a small footbridge crossing.

The monastery originates from the 14th century and is dedicated to Saint Barbara. Why it’s named Roussanou is still a mystery, but a good guess is that it’s named after the first monk who established the convent and church.

Today, the Holy Monastery of Roussanou is actually a nunnery, and supposedly more than a dozen nuns live here.

Roussanou is smaller than some of the other monasteries, but it’s also less crowded, which of course has its benefits in a popular place like Meteora.

3. Varlaam Monastery

Together with the Great Meteoron Monastery, Varlaam is probably the most popular monastery that people visit. Why? Because it’s sooo beautiful!

Apart from the church, museum, and monastery itself, Varlaam Monastery also has a big terrace overlooking the incredible area of Meteora. We really liked Varlaam a lot , however, it was also very crowded with other visitors.

Varlaam Monastery was named after the first monk who ascended the massive rock pillar in 1350 and who afterwards established the chapel.

It still amazes me how these monks managed to climb the big rock pillars so many years ago without any help or safety equipment. I guess that you just need to have faith! ..and not be afraid of heights.

4. Great Meteoron Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron is rightfully named the “greatest” because it happens to be the biggest, the highest, and the oldest one of all the monasteries in Meteora.

Situated on a cliff above the Varlaam monastery, the Great Meteoron is overlooking most of the rock formations in the valley.

The monastery was established in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios, and it’s named “Meteoro”, which means “suspended in the air.”

So now you know why the whole area is named the Meteora Monasteries – basically because they’re all located high in the sky on top of big rock pillars.

The Great Meteoron Monastery really is a must visit on your trip to Meteora! However, make sure to arrive as early as possible since it’s very popular and overcrowded with fellow tourists most of the day.

5. Holy Trinity Monastery

The Holy Trinity Monastery (also known as Agia Trias) is one of the best monasteries to visit in Meteora. In fact, it was my favorite one!

It’s located a bit further into the circuit of Meteora. And it’s more difficult to get to because you have to climb 140 steps to the entrance, which means that you’ll naturally find fewer tourist in the Holy Trinity Monastery.

The monastery has some amazing viewpoints over the valley. From the top of Agia Trias, you can actually see the whole of Kalambaka city. It’s such a beautiful view!

Just like the other monasteries, Agia Trias was also founded sometime in the 14th century by a couple of monks who managed to conquer the steep cliff.

Apart from its beautiful interior and great viewpoints, the monastery is also known for being featured in the James Bond movie, “For Your Eyes Only”.

6. Agios Stefanos Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Agios Stefanos is the last functioning monastery, which you can visit on your trip to Meteora. It’s located at the end of the loop, just after the Holy Trinity Monastery.

Unlike the other monasteries, you don’t need to climb any steps to get here, instead you just need to cross a bridge. So, if you want to avoid walking up stairs, then this monastery might be the best one for you to visit.

We unfortunately never made it into this monastery, but from what we can find online, it’s supposedly built in the 15th century unlike the other monasteries that are built in an earlier century.

Just like Roussanou, Agios Stefanos is also a nunnery, which means that several nuns are living in a sisterhood here today.

It should be very beautiful inside and it has some great views over Kalambaka, so make sure to visit it on your trip to Meteora. I’ll have to save this one for my next visit!

Things to do in Meteora (apart from visiting monasteries)

All right! Now that we’ve covered things to know before your trip to Meteora and a small visitor guide to all the monasteries, it’s time to look at what else there is to do in this incredible area of Greece.

So here is a small guide on where to find the best sunset spots and hiking trails in Meteora.

Best sunset in Meteora

Meteora is located several hundred meters above sea level, which means you can find some incredible sunset spots in the area.

The 2 most popular places to watch the sunset are from two viewpoints located on the road between Varlaam Monastery and the Holy Trinity Monastery. You’ll find two massive rocks, which you can walk onto. From here you can find a spot to watch the sunset.

We watched the sunset on the big rock closest to The Holy Trinity Monastery, and it was just incredibly beautiful! (Though it’ll be a bit eerie if you’re afraid of heights like me…)

You can either do a sunset tour from Kalambaka or go by yourself. We went by ourselves on our rental scooter and arrived at the sunset rock about 50 minutes before the actual sunset. Please come early if you want to find a good spot to sit and watch the sunset.

The sunset in Meteora is among some of the best we’ve ever seen! So don’t miss out on this experience.

• Related blog post: How to watch the sunset in Meteora

Hiking trails in Meteora

There are several hiking trails in Meteora. So, if you’re a keen hiker, then you should really look into spending a day on the trails. You can either do a guided hiking tour from Kalambaka or try to navigate the trails by yourself.

We went by ourselves and did a mix of riding our scooter to trailheads and following the trails from a downloaded map on Maps.me. We eventually hiked two different trails in Meteora, both of which we can really recommend.

• Have a look at our hiking blog posts before your trip: Day hike packing list & Hiking for beginners

Meteora Hike 1: Great Meteoren Monastery to Ypapantí Monastery

On the first hike, we followed a trail starting from the parking lot of the Great Meteoron Monastery to the Ypapantí Monastery.

This hiking trail took us past a viewpoint of some great rock formations, then through a forest, and ended at the incredible Ypapantí Monastery. This monastery is a bit different than the 6 other ones in Meteora because it’s built directly into the cliff.

It was a great short hike that took a small hour to complete.

Meteora Hike 2: Agias Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery to Monks’ Prison Cave

The second hike we did followed a small trail which began just before the parking lot of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery and ended at the mystic cave named Monks’ Prison.

The Monks’ Prison was an old prison cave where the naughty monks got sent to if they did something bad or if they needed to be reminded of what was proper religious conduct.

We don’t know if you can go deep into the cave. We honestly didn’t try because it felt a bit… creepy. But surely any dark tourist enthusiast must visit this place.

This small hike took less than an hour to complete.

We really hope you found this guide to visiting the Meteora Monasteries useful. Meteora is honestly one of our favorite places in Greece, and we really want to go back someday and explore the last monasteries and more hiking trails.

If you have any questions about visiting Meteora, then please ask us in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and happy travels!

Want to discover more of Greece? Check out:

• The sunset in Meteora
• Why visit Greece in 2023?
• 30 GREAT things Greece is famous for
• The 20 best things to do in Thessaloniki
• Things to do in incredible Skopelos Island
• 3 days in Athens: Affordable & easy itinerary
• Athens archaeological combo ticket review

Hi, I'm Cecilie! And I'm the writer behind our travel blog. I only write about places that we've personally been to and want to recommend to you. I'm passionate about creating truthful travel guides, which can help you plan your own trip. When I'm not traveling or writing, you'll find me on a hiking trail, in a coffee shop, or in a shoe store around Copenhagen.

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12 Comments

Hi. May I ask if visiting these monasteries would entail a lot of walking? Your pictures are beautiful and your blog is quite specific and helpful to us future travelers.

Hi Yvette Marie, thank you for your nice comment. Glad to hear my blog is of help! Visiting the monasteries do entail some walking. It’s not a lot, but it’s surely some. You’ll do most of the walking when climbing the steps to the monasteries. So if you’re having trouble with walking, then maybe just choose the easy accessible Agios Stefanos Monastery, so you don’t strain yourself 🙂 Enjoy beautiful Meteora!

I am not really fit, and me and my husband would love to do this. How many steps are involved to see most of the monasteries? I know one has 140 steps, which I don’t think I could do. Is that significantly more than the others or do you have to walk up a lot of stairs to see all of them?

Dear Kaitlyn, thanks for your question. Whether you can visit the monasteries or not, the road is still breathtakingly beautiful, so I’ll urge you to go anyways! Also make sure to visit during sunset when the landscapes are extra beautiful. You can definitely see Agios Stefanos, which has no stairs (it’s even wheelchair-friendly). The rest of the monasteries unfortunately requires you to walk the 140 steps or more. What you could do, is maybe just choose the Great Meteoron Monastery. Yes, there are a lot of steps involved, but once you get there, you have a lot of things to see (it’s the biggest monastery). So if you think you could manage walking up to one of the monasteries, then I would recommend this one. Of course, I don’t know your history and if it’s even possible for you. But I do know that nobody would mind you to stop and take breaks during the ascend. In fact, I saw many people having a hard time with the steps. Best of luck and enjoy Meteora!

Hello. How much time is needed to visit/see each of the monastery starting from walking/climbing up the stairs, seeing the interior, etc.? I’d like to calculate roughly how much time/day(s) I’d need to spend in Meteora. Thank you.

Hi Pauline, that’s a great question. However, I think that how long time you will need differs from monastery to monastery. For example Roussanou Monastery only takes 20-30 minutes whereas the Great Meteoron could take 1-2 hours. I would say that 2 days are enough to see them all without rushing through it. You could actually visit them all in 1 day but it might be a bit stressful. It’s such a beautiful place, so take your time if you can. Thank you for your question and enjoy Meteora! 🙂 Best, Cecilie.

Is there any chance of attending Mass, service, at any of the monasteries? Thank you, Olive

Hi Olive, great question. However, I don’t think I can be of help here. I haven’t seen or heard anything about being able to attend mass in the monasteries. All I can find online is something about attending the Easter ceremonies. My guess will be that you cannot attend mass at the monasteries, but maybe ask some of the locals in Meteora. Best of luck, Cecilie 🙂

The Great Meteoron Monastery… are the stairs very steep and are there handrails? If you cannot make the climb is there a place to sit by the parking lot so you could wait for friends who can make the climb? Thank you.

Hi Karen, the stairs can be a bit steep at times, but you can use the wall as a handrail. There is no particular handrail built into the walls surrounding the stairs. If you’re not up for it, then there is a great little spot to sit at by the parking lot where you can overlook the beautiful monastery. Plus, you can find a truck selling snacks and drinks here as well 🙂 Enjoy your trip! X Cecilie.

Hi Cecilie, thank you for writing this post! May I know if the trail from the Great Meteoren Monastery to Ypapantí Monastery is easy to follow? Are there route markers along the way?

Hi Joy, you’re much welcome! I hope you found it helpful 🙂 There are no markers, no. But we found it pretty easy to follow. You can always download an offline map over the trail. We found and followed the trail on the app Maps.me. Best of luck, Cecilie.

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HOW TO VISIT METEORA MONASTERIES AND SURROUNDS IN 2024

updated January 2024

Are you ready to explore some of the most amazing and unique geography that Greece has to offer? Whether you’re on your first Greek holiday, or you’re now planning to visit after many years of Greek Island hopping , the mainland of Greece should not be overlooked. When you visit Meteora you will experience one of the most prized cultural and historical landmarks in the country, and in fact in all of Europe.

There is nothing quite like Meteroa anywhere in the world!

Often described as stunning works of architecture set in a landscape that is as unique as it is breath-taking, the six monasteries of Meteora are visited every year by many tourists yet still seem uncrowded and completely accessible.

They also represent an important part of Greek history and the link between the early formation of Christian doctrine and the Turkish occupation of Greece during the 11th century AD.

How to get to Meteora

There are two ways to get to Meteora: either by signing up for one of the numerous guided Meteora tours from Athens or Thessaloniki or by using your own means of transport and staying a night or two in the city of Kalambaka or the village of Kastraki, and visiting the monasteries at your own pace.

  Book a Meteora Tour

The great thing about joining a Meteora Tour is that you don’t have to plan much of anything, and the itinerary you follow takes into account when each of the monasteries is open.

There are a number of tours you can consider, such as the 3 day Rail Tour , the stunning Meteora Sunset Tour or the 3-day coach tour.  If you’re in a hurry, you can even consider a quicker tour like the Half-Day Sightseeing Tour which only takes about four hours plus travel time.

The tour we recommend the most involves staying overnight in the area. This means you can see Meteora at sunset (and sunrise if you are really keen) which really is the best time to see it in all its glory. The colours of the sky behind the extraordinary rock formations is truly something to behold!

This tour is done by a private driver who picks you up in Athens and includes a guide for your time at the Monasteries. You will also stop off at Thermopylae , the battlefield for the ‘ 300′ Spartans in their legendary fight against the Persians. The price is for two people and increases with more people. By using this link you will also  receive a 10% discount!  

Important tips for visiting the Meteora Monasteries!

1. Most of the Monasteries have a lot of stairs! The Grand Meteoron Monastery has the most with over 300 steps, so it does require a reasonable level of mobility and fitness.  Rousanou, Varlaam and Saint Nicolaos have an average number of 140. St. Stephens is the most accessible with only a couple of steps and a small footbridge over to the entry.

2. Not all monastaries are open every day – see the opening times further down in the article. Most people visit two or three monastaries, although they can all be admired from the outside of course.

3. It costs 3 euro per person to visit each one. Children under 12 are free.

4. It is a requirement of all religious sites in Greece to dress modestly. This means covered knees and shoulders. It is good to dress appropriately but if you forget they can rent you scarves/wraps to use for a small fee.

5. It is illegal to fly drones over religious sites in Greece without a permit.

Visit Meteora independently

It is also quite easy to visit Meteora yourself by driving or using public transport. Once there you can either drive yourself around the Monasteries or join a local tour such as this tour from Kalambaka.

Driving to Meteora

To get to Meteora from Athens, you have to travel northwest of the Greek capital and keep going through the Greek countryside until you reach your destination. The roughly 358km trip can be completed in 6-7 hours.

Hiring a taxi or renting a car is a popular choice among foreigners since it provides a more personalized approach to the trip and to the route that you can take. Although more expensive than a bus or a train, this is a good way to visit Meteora, especially if you want to stop at a few other destinations along the way.

If you wish to discover the country at your own leisure,the best option is to hire a car.

To get to Meteora from Athens by car, take the freeway E75 and head to   Lamia-Karditsa-Trikala-Kalambaka.   It will take around 4 hours and 30 minutes (375 km away).

Parking at Meteora

There is plenty of parking at each of the Monasteries and overflow parking at some of the bigger ones. It can get busy between April and October from about 11 am when tour buses arrive so try and get there early or late.

The ring road delivers you quickly and easily from one to the next and is very well kept and maintained. Far from being a hair-raising road experience as is sometimes the case in Greece, this is a very easy place to drive even for novices.

How to get to Meteora by Train 

If you plan on taking the train from Athens, the nearest stop to Meteora is Kalampaka ( see below).

This is a very long day with over 9 hours of traveling and limited time in Meteora. It’s a pleasant enough journey but you won’t be able to stop and see anything else along the way.

There are several trains that depart from Athens (Larissa Railway Station) to Kalambaka every day.   The direct train leaves at 8:20 am and takes 4 hours and 50 minutes. The price of a one-way ticket costs between €15 and €20. The direct train back to Athens departs at 5:22 pm and gets to the capital at 10:12 pm.

For more information check out the Hellenic Train Website (you can usually only book tickets about a month in advance).

If you do want to visit Meteora by train it’s a good idea to do an organised train tour as that way you are managed door to door. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the train station, assisted when changing trains, collected at Kalambaka train station, and taken up to see three Monasteries and then return again. 

Announcement! In 2023 many train tracks were badly damaged in the September floods and  some trains have been suspended until further notice. Part of a train trip to Meteora may involve a bus service instead.

Visit Meteora by Bus

It is possible to visit Meteora by bus from many locations including Athens, Volos, Ioannina, Thessaloniki or Patras as well as numerous small towns along the way.

For more information check out the KTel website.

E-Bike Tours of Meteora

This is a relatively new way of getting around the Monasteries and is great for people with some e-bike experience. Once you arrive by car, train, or bus you can rent a bike or join an e-bike tour. It’s especially nice to do this on a sunset tour when the weather is much cooler and the sunset is breathtaking. The Monasteries are still magnificent to see even when closed and the background is simply stunning.

Obviously, these can be weather affected, however.

Hiking in Meteora

Hiking up to the Monasteries is a popular activity. From Kastraki it is possible to do a short hike to two of the monasteries but a serious hike can get you to all of them, as well as the hermit caves. There are several routes and a number of guided tours you can do too. Be mindful of the dress requirements for the Monasteries as stated above.

Fly to Meteora

There is no airport at Meteora nor in the surrounding towns. Athens airport is over four hours away by car. You can however fly from Athens to Ioaninna and hire a car as we have done in the past. This is a very easy and pleasant drive that takes about 90 minutes and there is some stunning scenery along the way.  

Weather in Meteora

Summer is the driest time, storms occurring all year round especially at higher altitudes.

Average monthly temperatures are;  

Where to stay – which Meteora hotels are best?

Do NOT stay in Trikala or anywhere else many of the booking sites will have you believe are in Meteora. They are not. Don’t get me wrong they are nice towns and if you have a few spare days they are really worth some time but not if your objective is to stay near the Monasteries of Meteora.

Kalambaka Hotels

Kalambaka is a nice town of roughly 12,000 inhabitants. The city’s architecture, culture, and fascinating history make it worth a few days or even longer here.  There are a number of places of interest here including the Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum as well as the Church of Dormition of the Virgin Mary ( see other Things to Do below).

Hotels in Kalambaka that we recommend are Hotel Kaikis and Epavlis Hotel.

If you don’t have a car you can join a tour from Kalambaka.

Kastraki Hotels

Kastraki is a small and quite charming Greek village that has a number of excellent tavernas and some really picturesque scenery.

It is quiet and peaceful and there are some truly stunning views from some of the hotels especially at sunset and sunrise. You can even walk up to the Monasteries from here if you are fit and adventurous.

We really enjoyed our stay at Doupani House which is a traditional hotel with very friendly service and absolutely breathtaking views. It’s a great choice for a Meteora Hotel. If this is booked out then we recommend Hotel Kastraki which is just around the corner or Tsikeli Hotel for an adults-only experience.

If you are travelling in a group and would like to stay in the area a while ( which I strongly recommend!) then then check out Zosimas House which has 2 bedrooms, can sleep 6 people and has amazing views. For something even bigger then Vista delle Rocce has 3 bedrooms and can sleep up to 8.

If you would like to join a tour to visit the monasteries this tour will pick you up from either Kalambaka or Kastraki.

Where to eat in Meteora

The fertile plains of Thessaly are the food bowl of Greece and grown a multitude of crops year-round that feed the country and other parts of Europe.

As a result, the food on offer at cafes and tavernas is first-rate and has to be some of the most delicious, and best priced, in the country.

If you are able to drive around the area you will see many food stalls selling fruit and vegetables such as berries, apples, walnuts, figs, and grapes as well as honey and smallgoods. Wine in this area is very good and it is possible to visit some local wineries.

Every meal we had in Kastraki and Kalambaka was excellent but these 3 places are exceptional; 

•   Tavern Ouzeri Pappas, Kastraki
•   Taverna Bakaliarakia, Kastraki
•   Meteoron Panorama, Kalambaka

Visit Meteora Monasteries

Each of the six Meteora monasteries have their own stories to reveal and are steeped in history and intrigue. They are all unique and impressive, filled with spiritual wisdom, serenity and the promise of a remarkable travel experience you will never forget.

Opening hours for Meteora Monastaries

Each monastery has its own visiting days and hours, and while one monastery might be open on a certain day, others might be closed. If you’re not following a tour, and you plan on visiting Meteora by taxi, by car or by train, it’s important to plan ahead and consider avoiding the times when the monasteries you are interested in are closed.

That said they are all good and you can still view all of them from the outside, which is arguably the best vantage point anyway.

In 2024 the opening hours for Meteora Monasteries are:

Great Meteoron   09:00-15:00 closed Tuesdays, and Nov 1 to March 31 09:00 – 14:00  closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Holy Trinity   09:00-17:00 closed Thursdays, winter is 10:00 to 16:00 Varlaam   09:00-15:00 closed Tuesdays, and Nov 1 to March 31 09:00 – 14:00 closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Roussanou   10:00-16:00 from April 1 to October 31, and closed Wednesdays. November 1 to March 31st  09:00-14:00  closed Wednesdays St. Stephen   09:00-13:30 and 15:30-17:30 closed Mondays, 09:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00 in winter St. Nicholas Anapafsas   09:00-17:00, closed Fridays and Nov 1 to March 31 closes at 17:00 with Sundays being 09:30 to 16:00

The Great Meteoron Monastery

The Great Meteoron Monastery is the oldest, largest and most famous of the monasteries. It is located at an impressive 615 meters above sea level, and it towers above the other monasteries atop a giant and highly imposing stone pillar.

More like a small village than a single Monastery the complex is made up of a series of different buildings.  There are numerous icons and artifacts dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as a museum, a kitchen and a wine cellar. 

The main cathedral in the central courtyard is embellished with beautiful 16th century frescoes. 

Roussanou monestary

The beautiful wall-paintings of the Catholicon were executed in 1560, when the priest-monk Arsenios was the abbot of the monastery.

Today the Roussanou monastery is inhabited by nuns and has been since 1988. It is set on a lower rock, so you can access it quite easily via a bridge, and inside you’ll find some interesting frescoes.

Varlaam Monastery

Founded around 1350 by a monk named Varlaam, the Varlaam Monastery has a fascinating history, having been abandoned at one time for more than a century. It is the second biggest Monastery and is located across from Great Meteoron.

The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades.

Renovated in 1512, it now houses a famous ecclesiastic museum and a barrel that could at one time hold up to 12 tons of rainwater. Varlaam gives you the best insight into the design, engineering and construction of the monasteries and how the Monks operated for many centuries without modern science or amenities.

You can still see the original winches and nets the monks used to haul goods and indeed, each other, up and down the rock face as well as original wine barrels and food storage.

Other buildings in the Monastery include a kitchen and a small hospital as well as a bibliographic workshop and workshop of equisite gold-embroidery

The word Anapafsis translates to ‘resting’ from Greek so it is thought this monastery is so named as a place to rest before the more arduous journey up to the other monasteries beyond.

The site is small and construction would have been very challenging.  At the entrance of the Monastery lies the Church of St. Anthony and the crypt where the codes and the monastery’s heirlooms were previously stored. Each level is them built vertically and is accessed by a narrow staircase.

Also, you’ll find some prized artwork inside, including the frescoes of the well-known painter, Theophanes Strelitzas.

St. Stephen’s monastery

If your accommodation is in Kalambaka, chances are you can see St. Stephen’s monastery all the way from there, as it’s the only monastery visible from the city.

This monastery is now also inhabited by nuns rather than Monks. Visiting St. Stephens is quite a treat as you will be greeted by the hospitality of the nuns and the unique pieces found in the religious museum inside the monastery, as well as their beautiful gardens. 

St. Stephen’s Monastery also has two cathedrals; the old 16th-century chapel which was severely damaged during WWII and the consequent Greek Civil War , and the 18th-century main cathedral that is dedicated to Saint Charalambos and includes his holy relics.

The monastery is the most accessible and is the best Meteora monastery for people with mobility issues . There is a small solid bridge leading straight to the entry from the carpark and only a couple of wide steps to enter the main complex.

The gardens are really quite impressive as are the amazing views of the entire Valley of Thessaly and the mountain ranges beyond.

Holy Trinity Monastery

Famous for being featured in the James Bond movie, Four Your Eyes Only, the Holy Trinity Monastery, also known as Agia Triada,  is set on a very steep rock and is the most difficult monasteries to access. Close to the Saint Stephen’s Nunnery it has been an organized Monastery since 1362.

Visitors have to follow a pathway that directs them initially to the foot of the rock before they climb 140 steps. Once upon a time, it was only accessed by ropes!

According to its tumultuous history, the monastery was looted during WWII by the Germans, and only a few of the once-prized treasures housed there still remain to this day.

Most popular is the chapel of Timios Prodromos (St John the Forerunner), a small circular church with a cupola, decorated with wall-paintings of fine art dating from 1682.

Other things to do in Meteora and surrounds  

Holy temple of dormition of the virgin mary.

Apart from the Monasteries of Meteora the Byzantine Temple of Dormition of the Mother of God is the most important monument in Kalabaka.

It was erected between the 10th and 11th century on the ruins of an early Christian Royal. It has a three-aisled basilica and, unique to Greece, a central Pulpit.

Part of the floor mosaic is intact whilst the walls are covered in restored paintings and frescoes from the 12th to 17th centuries.

Nowadays the church is still used as a place of worship although a small entry fee is charged for visitors outside service hours.

There are rarely many tourists and it is quite a remarkable place to see and feel the sheer age and gravity for yourself.

Trikala is the capital of Thessaly and is a pretty town less than an hour south of Meteora by car and centrally located on the Thessaly plains. It sits by the Lithaios River and has had a colorful history since antiquity.

There is quite a lot to see and do in the area and you can do many of them as a day trip from Kalambaka or Kastraki whilst visiting Meteora or stay a night or two to dig a bit deeper.

The main sites include:

• Trikala Byzantine Castle
• Osman Shah Mosque
• the archaeological site of Asklepieion of Trikke
• The Old City of Trikala – built between the 17th and 19th centuries 
• several Stone Bridges ( see below)

The stone bridges of Trikala

Sarakina Bridge

One of the largest of the Greek Stone Bridges at 123 meters long this bridge was originally built in 1520 and sits over the river Peneus near Trikala. It was built by Bishop Varrasion of Larisa and originally had six arches.

During the  famous battle in 1878 between local Chieftains and the Turks here there were several casualties in the Turkish defeat. The bridge of Sarakina is approximately 1 Kilometer north-west  from Sarakina village and served the transport  route to Diava. 

Because of its impressive shape and stability Sarkina Bridge is consider a significant monument, not only for the Thessaly Plain, but also for the wider Greek and Balkan area.

Palaiokarya Stone Bridge  

This bridge is quite hard to find and we almost gave up after several wrong turns. I’m very glad we persevered however as it is incredibly beautiful, and due to its hidden nature, devoid of visitors!

The bridge was built at the beginning of the 15th century by the owner of the nearby Dousiko Monastery, Saint Bessarion.

It was built on a rocky trough above the riverbed bridging the Palsiokarites River and aided the Pylis community with their farms and water supply. The dam behind it was not built until 1975  which better helps to irrigate the surrounding valley. As a result, there are two waterfalls that make the bridge quite unique and very special.

To visit Palaiokarya stone bridge you continue west from Pyli and Pyli Stone bridge to Stournareika. Just before you reach Stournareika village you will see a sign for Ropotos village, you continue straight. After a few meters, you will come across the signs for “Ano Palaiokarya”, “Mesi Palaiokarya” and “Palaiokarya”.

Continue on and you will come across the sign below and you turn left on a dirt road. You will come across the bridge in about 100 meters and there is plenty of room to park. There are no shops or facilities here however there are a few good tavernas in the nearby village of Ropotos.

Stone Bridge of Pyli

The Stone Bridge of Pyli is located two kilometers west of the village Pyli and about 20 minutes away from Trikala. It is fairly easy to find and is right on the main road that heads into the mountains. The bridge sits over the Portaikos River and until 1936 this bridge was the only way to get from Thessaly to Epirus.

It was built in 1514 by Saint Bissarion and is the second-largest arch bridge of Thessaly. It has a high stone semicircular arch that is 29 meters wide and 13 meters high and is constructed of limestone and sandstone. The total length is 65 meters.The bridge was restored in 1968 and 1983 and again in2006.

The area around the bridge is lush and green with many big trees and is a lovely spot for a picnic.

There is a large car park  and a number of small shops and stalls selling fruit, snacks, and drinks and is a great stopping off point if you are planning on heading up to the villages of Koziakas, Elati, Pertoyli, Neraidohori and the larger area of Aspropotamos including the ski fields.

The Cave of Theopetra

Considered to be one of the most important prehistoric sites in Greece this cave is home to the oldest known man-made structure in the world, a wall that is believed to be 23,000 years old. It is also where the oldest human footprints in Europe have been found, thought to be from four children.

The site is believed to be over 130,000 years old and numerous artifacts including tools, animal remains and other relics have been found here.

Archeologists believe this is where Modern Humans first evolved from Neanderthals and later transition to farmers after the Ice Age. This truly is the birthplace of farming!

The Cave can be found just outside the village of Theopetra which is 5 kilometres south of Kalambaka/Meteora.

Check the official page for opening hours. 

Final thoughts on visiting Meteora

As you can see there is a lot to see and do when you visit Meteora and it’s not just limited to the Monasteries.

Its a truly extraordinary part of the world and is one of the most most beautiful regions we have ever visited anywhere. The Monasteries are comparable to visiting somewhere like Petra for their sheer grandeur and impressive architecture and engineering and the geology of the area only adds to the awe.

The surrounding valley and mountains are lush, green and provide a real contrast to the dry and sometimes desolate islands many tourists will only see and the area provides great insight into agriculture, farming and other industries based on nature and the environment.

Many people rush this part of the world in a single day or perhaps an overnight trip but in reality, it really is a destination that will continue to impress you even more if you invest a few days into it.

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Meteora in Greece: the complete travel guide

• April 20, 2024

Meteora is a very distinctive rock formation found in central Greece. In this guide, I explain how to plan your trip there and what to see.

A quick guide to Meteora

Best time to visit: during Spring or Fall

How long: a couple of days is enough to visit the area and relax for a while

Why it is worth visiting: it’s a unique place. There’s no other places like it in the world

A quick tip: each monastery has a different closing day. If you are interested in a particular one, check its opening days.

Where to stay: if you choose to stay one night in Meteora I recommend this hotel

Nothing is more strange and wonderful than this fantastic region, unlike anything I have ever seen. In . . . all the mountainous regions I have been to, there is nothing that compares to these extraordinary pillars. Robert Curzon, English traveler, 1849

Curzon’s words summarize the feelings you’ll get when observing these incredible rock formations for the first time in Thessaly, Greece.

Welcoming the tourists, there is an imposing stone “forest” composed of over twenty huge rocky pillars towering into the sky, hundreds of meters high. But the most incredible thing is the monasteries built on top of these rocks.

This is Meteora, a unique and extraordinary combination of rock formations and human labor. The name “Meteora” – from a Greek word meaning “things that stand on high” – refers to this group of isolated rocky pillars and the more than 30 monasteries built on them. The average height of these rocks is 300 meters, but some exceed 550 meters.

Geology of Meteora: how were these rocks formed?

A shallow sea once covered the region of Meteora. Over time, the sea receded, exposing the area to the elements. The sandstone that makes up the pillars was formed from sediments deposited on the sea floor.

As the years passed, the forces of wind and water eroded the sandstone, slowly shaping it into the towering pillars we see today. The elements have further sculpted the pillars over time, creating the unique and striking landscape we see in Meteora.

In addition to the natural forces of erosion, the monasteries built on top of the pillars have also contributed to their formation. The monks who built the monasteries carved steps and pathways into the pillars, allowing people to reach the top and access the monasteries. This has helped to shape the landscape of Meteora and has made it possible for people to explore the area.

Meteora: top things to see

Monks from the 11th century onwards built the monasteries of Meteora. These monks sought solitude and a place to practice their religious beliefs, and they saw the towering pillars of Meteora as the perfect location.

Building the monasteries was no easy task. The pillars were tall and steep, and there was no easy way to reach the top. The monks had to use a series of ladders and ropes to access the top of the pillars, and then they had to carve out steps and pathways to make it possible to move around and access the monasteries.

Once they reached the pillars’ top, the monks began building the monasteries. They used natural materials, such as stone and wood, and carefully crafted each monastery by hand. The result was a series of beautiful and unique structures now a major attraction in the region.

Despite the challenges, the monks persevered and built several monasteries in Meteora. Today, only six of these monasteries (two of which house nuns) are still in use, but they continue to be a significant draw for visitors to the area. The monasteries are a testament to the determination and skill of the monks who built them, and they remain an essential part of the history and culture of Meteora.

Holy Trinity Monastery was built in 1475 and renovated several times in 1684, 1689, 1692, 1741.

The first hermits to climb Meteora were Barnabas, between 950 and 965 E.V., and Andronicus of Crete, in 1020. Other monks from all parts of the Byzantine world joined him, so the number of rock-top monasteries reached 33. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the communities reached the height of their importance, but from then on, their decline began.

Nuns now occupy St. Stephen’s Monastery.

Today, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, the Meteora monasteries represent an invaluable cultural heritage. In recent times, the Greek government has been taking care to preserve Meteora’s cultural heritage, and partly because they have appeared in several films, Meteora is increasingly visited by tourists.

How to get to Meteora

There are several ways to get to Meteora, but none are very fast. Here are a few options to consider:

• By car: Meteora is located in central Greece and easily accessible from nearby cities and towns. The region is well-served by highways and roads, and several car rental agencies are there if you need to rent a vehicle.
• By bus: if you are traveling by bus, there are several options for getting to Meteora. One of them is to take a bus to Trikala and change there for Kalambaka.
• By train: the nearest train station to Meteora is in the town of Kalambaka, which is at the base of the pillars. There are regular trains from Athens and other major cities in Greece, and Kalambaka; you can take a local bus or taxi to reach Meteora.
• By plane: the nearest airport to Meteora is in Ioannina, about an hour’s drive from the region. You can rent a car or take a bus from Ioannina to reach Meteora.

If you want to visit Meteora, I recommend staying in Kastraki, a pretty village near Meteora. You can find some good deals on Booking.com. If you prefer Trip.com, here you will find some discounts.

How to get around Meteora and opening times of the monasteries

Once you arrive in Meteora, there are several options for getting around the region and exploring the monasteries and other attractions. Here are a few suggestions:

• By car: if you have a car, this is the best option for exploring the area. The region has good roads and is easy to navigate; having your vehicle gives you more freedom.
• By bus: only from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, which stops at the various monasteries and then returns to the city
• By taxi: taxis are widely available in the area and can be a convenient way to get around. You can either hail a taxi on the street or call a local company to arrange a pick-up.
• On foot: Meteora is a great destination for hikers, and several trails offer beautiful views of the region. If you enjoy hiking, this is a great way to explore the area and see the sights. Keep in mind that it can be pretty hot in summer.
• With a Tour: Finally, you can consider booking a guided tour like this one. It’s not very expensive, and you will learn a lot more than on a self-guided tour

One important thing to keep in mind if you want to visit the monasteries are the opening hours; some are open only in the morning. These are the closing days instead:

• Moni Agiou Stefanou: Monday
• Moni Megalou Meteorou: Tuesday
• Moni Varlaam: Wednesday
• Moni Agias Varvaras Rousanou: Wednesday
• Moni Agias Triados: Thursday
• Moni Agiou Nikolaou Anapafsa: Friday

When I was there, admission to each monastery was about 2€.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, visiting Meteora in Greece is an unforgettable experience. The monasteries offer a glimpse into the history and culture of the area, and they are a must-see for anyone visiting Greece. Whether you’re interested in history, and culture, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area, there is plenty to see and do in Meteora for everyone.

You can find more photos taken in Meteora here and here you can read an article about Lake Kerkini also in Greece. If you want to visit North Macedonia, don’t miss this travel guide.

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A Super Efficient Guide to Visiting Meteora, Greece in 2024

The mountaintop monasteries at Meteora, Greece are a marvel of human creativity. Can you believe people saw these enormous sandstone pillars and thought, “I’m going to live up there!”? That’s exactly what happened centuries ago, and today you can visit the monasteries that are still inhabitied by 60 monks and nuns. Originally there were 24 monasteries, where today only six remain.

Read on for my guide to visiting Meteora, including when is the best time to visit, which monasteries are worth seeing, where to stay, places to eat, and many more tips to make your trip super efficient!

Before you go

Here are a few tips that will make your trip to Meteora in 2024 easier:

• Entry to each monastery is 3€ – This means that in total, you will spend 18€ per person to visit all six monasteries.
• Know the (dress) code – Women are required to wear a long skirt and cover their shoulders, whereas men are not allowed to wear shorts. In practice, I saw a few men in shorts but all women were enforced to wear a skirt (which, if you don’t have one, is provided at the entrance to every monastery free of charge).
• It’s not really possible to “beat” the tour busses – Most monasteries open at 9am, and by 9:30am there are already busses at their doorsteps. The easiest way to avoid the crowds is to travel in the off season or to spend your time at monasteries which are more difficult to access (learn about this below).
• This region of Greece is subject to a lot of rain! – In an instant, you can go from sunshine to pouring rain. Be prepared by checking the weather report, bringing an umbrella, and being prepared to keep your things (e.g. camera, bag) dry.
• Stay in Kastraki instead of Kalambaka for easier parking and driving – Driving in Greece can be a little fun and a lot of chaos. If you want an easier time, try booking a hotel or guesthouse in Kastraki. It’s just as close and convenient as Kalambaka with a fraction of the population.
• You can easily reach Meteora from Athens or Thessaloniki via guided tours . You can go for anything from a full-day trip to a four-day excursion. This particular train tour from Athens is a bestseller with over 150 positive reviews.

Sunrise in Meteora, as seen from our balcony at Hotel Meteora Kastraki .

Looking for a full-blown guide for Northern Greece? Check out my Northern Greece Travel Guide and Itinerary for things to do near Meteora. I’ve also written about how to spend three days in Athens if you’ll be arriving in Meteora from the south.

Interesting facts about Meteora

• It was used as a filming location for the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only .
• Meteora also inspired the backdrop for Game of Thrones when Tyrion is being held in the Eyrie.
• The Linkin Park album Meteora got it’s name from…well, Meteora.
• During World War II, the Germans occupied Meteora and burned down some of the precious artifacts. In Grand Meteora you can see images of people throwing a Nazi off a cliff from a monastery.

The more you know 🌈 Onto the itinerary!

Meteora Monasteries

Duration 2.5 days Dates visited June 18-20 Recommended accomodation Hotel Meteora Kastraki – Has an unbeatable view, good air conditioning, nice selection for breakfast, and a swimming pool you didn’t realize you needed. And affordable! Recommended dining We enjoyed Taverna To Paramithi in Kalambaka the most during our stay. They even had live, traditional music played by a pair of old Greek dudes with live instruments! Recommended guidebook This Greece travel guidebook was super helpful planning our entire trip through Northern Greece.

Opening hours

Every monastery is closed on a different day of the week, except Fridays where two monasteries are closed. This means that if you want to visit all of them, you need to visit over a two day period of time.

Suggested itinerary for visiting the monasteries

Legend   ♦♦♦ Must visit   ♦♦ Recommended   ♦ If time permits

Great Meteoron (mid-1300s) ♦♦♦

Great Meteoron is by far the largest and oldest monastery, the first to be founded. Like every monastery on this list, it has a katholicon (the part of the monastery where monks pray) with paintings of martyrs being tortured and of the final judgement. You should know that orthodox christians were widely persecuted during the Ottoman Empire, so many of the art references this fact. Some special features of Great Meteoron:

• Three distinct museums, including a library containing a copy of the Suda , a 10th-centry Byzantine encyclopedia that references many ancient sources that have since been lost.
• Gallery of art made by a contemporary artist who mimics the style of the period in which the monasteries are founded.
• Only squat toilets 👎 Head to Varlaam for modern ones!

Holy Trinity (1475) ♦♦♦

• This is the monastery that was featured in the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only .
• The stairs to reach this monastery number over 130! You will definitely feel the burn after climbing all these stairs 🔥
• Has a great lookout point where you can climb and take some photos of monasteries in the distance.

Varlaam (1641) ♦♦♦

Varlaam is the second biggest monastery in Meteora, and considered one of the nicest. What I liked about this place is that you thought you were finished exploring it, and then you discover a new corner where something is still waiting for you! Here’s what you should know about Varlaam:

• Has a great, compact museum about the history of Meteora. It’s a great way to frame your trip by starting there and learning a bit about the history of the area and how the first monks came to dwell in the cliffs.
• First class toilets 👌 As I mentioned, we were surprised to find that Great Meteoron Monastery only had squat toilets and subsequently regretted not taking advantage of the fancy onces at Varlaam.

Roussanou (mid-1500s) ♦♦

Monastery of Rosanau is dedicated to St. Barbara, a women who dedicated her life to Christianity and was subsequently beheaded by her father. Today she’s the patron saint of coalminers, and this nunnery in her name has 13 nuns in residence. According to this blog post about the meteora monasteries , Roussanou is both the most beautiful and least visited of all the monasteries.

TIP : You can access this nunnery from both above and below. Above you get a great view over the valley, and it’s probably shorter to walk, however there is less parking available.

St. Stephen’s nunnery ♦♦

• This nunnery is one of the busiest we went to! Perhaps owing to how easy it is to access, St. Stephen’s was packed with people and perhaps one of the least comfortable to visit.
• Very impressive chanedlier and frescos. Lots of similar motifs appear between the different monasteries, including the final judgement and brutal torture of saints from the time of Christ to the Turkish occupation.

St. Nikolaos Anapfsas ♦

Of all the monasteries, I have to say that St. Nikolaos of Anapafsas is the most underwhelming. It’s quite small and for some reason, the stairs to get there were some of the most exhausting! That said, it’s not very crowded, as I’m guessing most tour busses tend to skip it.

Read my article about my travel photography camera kit , which I use to take all the photos you see on the blog!

Best lookout points in Meteora

Almost anywhere you look, there’s an awesome view to be had over the valley. That said, a few places stand out as the best spots to take photos – two main lookout points:

• Psaropetra lookout
• Lookout near Varlaam

Both of these lookpoints are marked in the map at the beginning of the article. We also found a great lookout point on our way to the lookout point, which isn’t a lookout point but you can pull over and block the road briefly while you take a photo 😉 That point isn’t on any map but is featured in the image above!

The photo below was taken at the Psaropetra lookout point.

When to go to Meteora, Greece

As I shared above, during the high season it’s practically impossible to beat the busses – they are out in force first thing in the morning. However, even with the tour busses, most monasteries didn’t feel cramped and I only really needed to wait in line for one.

For that reason, I do think that June was a good choice for when to visit Meteora. It’s hot but not sweltering, and the busses are there but they actually had a rather small impact on us.

There are also a lot of gorgeous photos of Meteora in Autumn , so I would certainly love to come back and see the valley in fall foliage.

Where to stay near Meteora

We booked Hotel Meteora Kastraki , which is located on its own road a bit outside of Kastraki. This made parking really straightforward, while driving into Meteora took something like ten minutes topcs. The room are rather basic, but the balcony is huge and you can book a room with a view of Meteora (which makes it really easy to get sunrise photos!). The price was also quite affordable at around 80€ per night when we booked.

Guided tours of Meteora, Greece

Even though we drove ourselves in Meteora, I could definitely see how it would be engaging to have a tour guide explain the history to you as you weave around these majestic rock formations. Sometimes you don’t realize how cool something is until you know the history. Adding a trip to Meteora is a feasible option is you’re planning to visit Athens or will be traveling in Northern Greece .

If you prefer to do a guided tour, perhaps because you won’t have a car in Greece or you just want that personal touch, here are three of the top-rated tours in Meteora.

From Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip by Train – This is the top-rated and most-reviewed one-day trip from Athens. You get to take the train to and from Athens (included in the price), and then do a full-day tour of Meteora by mini-bus.

From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora – If you’re traveling within Europe, you can get veeeeery cheap flights to Thessaloniki, making it a great place to start trips around Northern Greece.

Majestic Sunset on Meteora Rocks Tour from Kalampaka – Sunset in Meteora is something you MUST not miss out on. This certified tour goes to 1-2 monasteries interiors and then stops at the best lookout point in Meteroa for sunset.

If you’re considering Meteora as an Athens day trips , I would encourage you to see if it’s possible to stay overnight at least one night. Or, at least, ensure that you’ll be in Meteora for sunset .

Have you ever been to Greece? Where would you like to visit most?

I’ve got an upcoming guide to some off-beat parts of Greece and a northern Greece itinerary, so stay tuned!

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About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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10 Effective Ways To Visit Meteora, Greece, Without The Crowds

Meteora, the rock formations and the monasteries built on top floating in the air is a popular destination for tourists and travelers to Greece. And with very good reason! A visit to Meteora is a must-do on anyone’s Greece itinerary. But can also get very crowded. Here is my guide on how to visit Meteora, without the crowds. Or at least, less crowds.

I recently traveled to Greece, by train , and had 3.5 weeks to explore the country. Of course, I included Meteora on my trip. I rented a car and drove over 2.000 km (1.250 miles) through the country. Although I was invited by VisitMeteora, all my experiences and opinions are my own.

Probe around the Globe does use affiliate links. If you decide to follow one of my links and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you.

Visit Meteora Greece

If you read anything about mainland Greece or watch anything on any social media outlet or tv, you’ll see Greece’s capital Athens. And a close 2nd is Meteora. Meteora is out of the world, magical, and surreal, and I recommend anyone to visit it.

However, with its popularity also come the crowds. And if you know anything about me, I hate crowds. But I’m all for sustainable tourism. And sustainable tourism also means: giving back to the local community. Support them and support local businesses.

This post is all about what you can see and do in Meteora, but also how to do it in a supportive and sustainable way. And how to avoid the crowds! Win-win if you ask me.

I think Meteora deserves it. But let’s dive in, shall we?

What is Meteora actually?

Meteora, Meteora? What is Meteora?

Meteora is the name of a tourist destination in Greece. It is not a place or town. It is the cultural landscape of different rock formations and currently, there are 6 active Greek Orthodox Monasteries built on top of the rocks. Together, they form the Meteora Monasteries.

The area is free to visit and is open 24/7. The roads and infrastructure are excellent. If you wish to visit one (or all) of the 6 monasteries, you’ll need to check their opening hours and pay a fee to support the monastic community.

Read more: Sea Kayaking over the Sunken City of Epidaurus, Greece

How to get to Meteora, Greece

Meteora is located in the regional unit of Trikala, in Thessaly, in central Greece. If you use Google Maps, you can use the name Meteora, but it will direct you to one of the viewpoints.

The best is to use Kalabaka or Kastraki as the nearest towns to navigate to. From Athens Airport, it is a 4h15m drive (or 375 km/234 miles).

Trains leave Athens Train Station (Larissa Metro stop) and take currently 4h and 40 minutes to reach Kalabaka/Kalambaka train station. You can visit Meteora on a day trip from Athens by yourself, or book a tour (incl, return tickets by train AND a guided tour of Meteora). Check out the options for a guided tour day trip from Athens here .

Where to stay in Meteora, Greece

Although a day trip from Athens is doable, I don’t think it does justice to the area. I highly recommend you stay overnight. At least for 1 night, but if you can spare the extra time, 2 or even 3 nights, really gives you time to explore Meteora and take in all the views, visit the Monasteries, and take your time.

The best places to stay are in Kalabaka, the bigger town with a train station, car rental companies, and loads of hotels. Or the smaller, Kastraki. Kastraki really is a village but has plenty of restaurants, shops and hotels and sits right at the base of Meteora. Almost every hotel in Kastraki has views of the Meteora rocks and or monasteries.

I stayed for 3 nights at the Meteoritis Hotel in Kastraki . You can literally walk from there to the Meteora Monasteries (an intense walk, but possible). It offers mostly twin and double rooms, with balconies and views of the Meteora rocks. The breakfast was really good and they have plenty of parking space if you come with your own car. Check out their rates and availability here .

If you rather stay in Kalabaka, then The Storyteller Boutique House is a good option. Clean rooms with a lot of wooden furniture, views of the Meteora rocks, and rooftop terraces. It is right in the center of Kalabaka, near restaurants and shops. Check out their room options and rates here .

These are just 2 options, but Meteora has a plethora of different accommodations. From hotels to guesthouses, apartments, and campsites. Check out all the options for Kalabaka here , or look for accommodation in Kastraki here .

Visiting Meteora, without the crowds (or a least fewer crowds)

With day-trippers arriving from Athens, or other destinations in Greece, by noon, the whole of Meteora is swarming with busses, coaches, cars, and people.

There are 6 monasteries you can visit on top of the rocks, and as you can imagine, space is limited. It can feel very quickly, very crowded when visiting the monasteries. And also on the roads and to enjoy the views of Meteora.

But how can you see Meteora without the overload of crowds? I’m not saying you’ll be the only person there if you follow my tips, but it can help a lot! You feel less rushed and crowded and can really take in the atmosphere of Meteora. Let’s see what we can do to avoid the crowds!

1. Visit Meteora in the shoulder season so in spring or fall

The summer months of late June, July, and August are peak seasons anywhere in Europe. Greece is flooded by holidaymakers from all over the world, and many add in a trip to Meteora.

If it is at all possible, avoid the high summer months to visit Meteora in Greece. It is better to travel to Meteora in Spring (April, May and early June) or Fall/Autumn (September and October). Besides fewer people, the temperatures are milder.

I visited in mid-May and actually went on a tour while it rained. It turned out, the rain and the clouds not only scared other tourists away, it also added to the Meteora mystic!

2. Visiting Meteora with a tour

One of the best decisions I made during my time in Meteora, was to join a tour! VisitMeteora is a local tour company and a lot of tours run through them. They are a locally based and employed tour company that has run tours for many years now. They are knowledgeable, reliable, and offer great insights in the region.

There is nothing wrong with venturing off on your own. Go ahead. But I (also) recommend booking a tour. Not only do you get inside information from knowledgeable guides, but they also take you to hidden treasures in Meteora and know the best times to arrive and monitor crowd control.

And the tours are very affordable. For example, their sunset tour , which will take more than 4 hours, includes pick-up and drop-off, transport, and a guide for €45. That is money well spent! And you avoid the crowd as you travel by minibus.

3. Visit the lesser-known viewpoints in Meteora

Of course, you can head to Meteora and visit the 6 active monasteries and stop at the viewpoints where most of the people are. But how to find the lesser-known, and also, lesser-visited viewpoints? Where nobody is standing in front of you?

Again I say, join a tour and they will take you there. But you can also drive around on your own, turn right when you think the road might not lead anywhere, and just explore!

4. Go in the late afternoon

Besides the daytrippers from Athens, also the coaches with school groups, and other tour companies of Greece have left by the time it turns 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

At this time, some monasteries are still open, but the roads are almost empty. The hordes and crowds have disappeared and you’ll find yourself with only a few other independent travelers.

I really liked the sunset afternoon tour I did with VisitMeteora . Of course, we were not the only ones exploring Meteora at this time, but it was definitely less crowded.

With fewer cars and motors roaring up and down the winding roads and fewer exciting school groups shouting, I could really take in the calm atmosphere of the mystic area of Meteora and take my time to appreciate the landscape.

5. Also visit the caves and abandoned monasteries in Meteora

Did you know that Meteora is covered in abandoned monasteries? Out of 24 that were once active, only 6 are now active and open for visitors.

And there are ancient caves where the hermits used to live before they organised themselves in a monastic community. A few can be easily spotted from the main roads, for others, you have to do a little more work and walking.

We visited a few of these abandoned caves and sealed-up monasteries. And even a scythe (or Skith – I cannot find the correct name for this). That is a sort of communal monastic living quarters where monks live together or alone but it is not a monastery.

It is amazing to see someone’s ‘house’, embedded in the rocks, with planters outside, and learn they have telephone, plumbing, and WiFi now.

6. Admire the monasteries from the outside after closing

In all honesty, I didn’t make it a goal to visit all 6 monasteries of Meteora. Some are smaller than others, and some are quite difficult to visit, while others are easily accessible.

I visited only 3 of the monasteries, but I came to the conclusion, that the best views of the monasteries are actually from the outside! Looking from a distance at the monasteries, or from down below or higher above, really gives you a great understanding of their position in the landscape of Meteora.

So if you’re like me, and don’t necessarily have to visit inside the monastery, then you can enjoy fewer crowds, outside the opening hours of the monasteries. Most monasteries are closed one day of the week and the roads and parking lots near them are abandoned after or before opening hours.

You can still hear their church bells ring, or the call to vespers, but you can’t visit. But you can take in the views of the monastery from outside.

7. Stay overnight in Kalabaka or Kastraki

As previously mentioned, I highly recommend staying overnight in the towns of Kalabaka or Kastraki. Not only is visiting outside the opening hours of the monasteries or in the late afternoon, easier if you stay nearby, but you can also take in the nature of Meteora. And support the local community by spending some money for dinner, drinks, souvenirs, or whatever you need.

If you have a hotel in the area, you can also split your day of exploring Meteora in two. Explore in the morning, and visit a monastery or two. Have lunch when the trains from Athens arrive and tour groups take over. Then retreat to your hotel, relax, and head out to explore Meteora some more in the afternoon or evening.

Check out all the options for hotels in Kalabaka here , or look for accommodation in Kastraki here .

8. Visit in the early morning

Another great advantage of staying overnight in Meteora is that you can visit early morning. Some monasteries open at 9.00 am in the morning, so you can be one of the first ones there.

Or just enjoy the pure and fresh morning breeze at one of the viewpoints. The colors of Meteora look really different in the morning, compared to the late afternoon. So it is almost as if you’re visiting a different place.

Check out this half-day morning tour of Meteora .

9. Circle the Meteora road more than once – and in different directions

As I had my own rental car, it was easy for me to drive up and down the roads of Meteora on my own.

The previous day, I had already circled Meteora by bus. We drove mostly in one direction. As I drove around with my own car, headed to a dead end and decided to drive back, I realized that Meteora looks completely different if you drive from the opposite direction! Duh!

I loved the views from the car, either way. So I highly recommend touring the roads of Meteora more than once, preferably in both directions. Just because you can, you see different things and sometimes, the road is less crowded if you come from the other side.

One loop of the Meteora circuit is 15 km (10 miles) and will take you approximately 30 minutes, without stopping or traffic jams. So it is really not a problem to drive the route multiple times, in different directions.

10. Go hiking in Meteora

I might have saved the best for last! I went hiking in Meteora!

With a landscape like this, you just have to ditch the car and explore on foot! I joined a half-day hiking tour and it was amazing. Not only did we hardly see any other people during our hike, but we also saw Meteora from a whole different perspective.

I learned about the flora and fauna of the region, the geologic formation, I learned about rock climbing etiquette and the monasteries. All while enjoying nature, working up a sweat and enjoying myself!

We hiked only 8 km (5 miles) and the guide said we only covered 200 altitude meters, (but I think it was more- way more!) But all in all, I think the hike is doable if you’re used to hiking this distance. I took my hiking poles just to be extra confident, but you don’t really need them.

During the hike, there is also room to visit one monastery, so you’re not just walking in the woods.

Check out this amazing hiking tour in Meteora here.

Whatever you do: visit Meteora, with or without the crowds

And there you have it. 10 Tips that hopefully will help you, a little bit, to avoid the crowds that flock to Meteora.

Now, if you do visit in high season, it will be nearly impossible to avoid crowds and other people, but with my tips, you might make the best of your visit and see a lot more.

What is your number one top tip to avoid crowds at busy tourist attractions? Will you share it with me? Drop a comment in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.

Author: Naomi

Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Monasteries of Meteora, Greece

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The Monasteries of Meteora are one of the world’s best kept secrets. Just five hours north of Athens you’ll find a real-life Game of Thrones location, with 6 working monasteries built on top of impossibly shaped rocks. This is Meteora, Greece.

The landscape may seem familiar, having served as the motivation for the fictional city of Eyrie, but very few people are actually aware that Meteora exists. This is because the resident monks are doing their best to keep the site a secret. After all, their numbers have gone from 24 working monasteries to 6, since it’s nearly impossible to live a monk’s lifestyle while dealing with an influx of 3,000 to 4,000 visitors a day.

There’s no escaping it–the secret’s out. And interest in the area has been growing exponentially since UNESCO declared the rocks a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Once I saw a picture of this place, I knew I had to visit. The decision was an easy one given that I visited Athens in January, so an excursion to the Greek islands was out.

RELATED POST: DISCOVER THE HIPPIE ISLAND OF ANTIPAROS, GREECE

If you’re interested in seeing this amazing, once in a lifetime location, here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit!

How to Get to Meteora

You can reach Meteora by car, bus or train. The cheapest and only non-stop option from Athens is the train, which you can purchase online here . I highly recommend booking in advance as the trains sell out quickly and have limited departures. Trains leave from Larissa Station and arrive in Kalambaka, the town at the foot of the monasteries of Meteora.

You can choose your seat online, they’re all basically the same coach seating with space for your luggage overhead or in luggage racks at the entrance of the trolley. There are bathrooms on board but they’re not always well stocked so bring your own toilet paper and soap if possible.

I left from Athens at 8:27am and arrived at Kalambaka (the town at the bottom of the rocks of Meteora) at approximately 1:40pm, taking a little over 5 hours. Note that while the departure time is strict, the arrival estimate is usually delayed by at least a half hour.

Also, while a taxi into Larissa Station only cost me €4, leaving I paid €20, with the driver citing an alleged hike of prices for taxis leaving from the train station. Given the influx of other passengers disembarking and waiting for a taxi and my desire to check into my AirBnB apartment at then 11pm at night, I acquiesced to the price hike.

You also have the option of driving yourself to Meteora with a rental car, which allows you to see other stops along the way like Olympia and the Oracle of Delphi. This is the best option if you’re looking for flexibility since it’ll be hard to take public transport to those areas from Kalambaka.

Your last and least convenient option is the bus. You leave from Liossion bus station in Athens and connect in Trikala before ultimately arriving in Kalambaka. Tickets are purchased at the bus station with cash and the bus schedule can be found here .

Where to Stay in Meteora

There are two towns at the base of Meteora with options for lodging at all price levels–Kalambaka and Kastraki. Both are easily accessible and immediately adjacent to each other, with Kastraki being slightly closer to the rocks.

I stayed in the Grand Meteora Hotel in Kastraki for the view (pictured above), and I was not disappointed. Everything about the hotel was comfortable. Seemingly endless hot water, a plentiful breakfast buffet and the chance to snuggle up by the fireplace in the main lobby. Not to mention, the staff was polite and accommodating.

How to Get Around Meteora

Getting around here is easy. If you have a rental car, there’s really only one main road and a ton of signs so you can’t get lost, drive your heart out. If you’re on a budget, like me, there’s taxis for €5-7 a trip depending on where you’re going, and you can plan it out such that you don’t have to take more than 2 taxis a day.

Where to Eat

Panellinio. Panellinio. Panellinio ! I cannot say this enough, hands down the best food I had my entire time in Greece. The moussaka came straight from heaven and they served the most amazing, melt-in-your-mouth lamb I’ve ever tasted. I went back here twice, that’s how good this place was!

RELATED POST: HOW TO GET TO ANAFIOTIKA, AN ISLAND OASIS IN ATHENS 

They have an open kitchen, so you can see the chefs working away, and I had a chance to meet them. They are hands-on, no catered or frozen meals here. Everything is authentic and fresh, just trust me and go, your taste buds will thank you.

Visiting the Monasteries of Meteora

There are 6 working monasteries in total, 2 of which have nuns. Of course, the monastery run by females is the most decorative and well maintained of the bunch, so don’t miss a stop at St. Stephen’s monastery if you’re limited on time. You can’t see all 6 monasteries of Meteora in one day because they alternate day that they close, so if possible go for an overnight trip.

Women will need to wear skirts to enter the monasteries, and cover ups are they’re provided at the entrance if you are not appropriately attired. The fee to enter is €3 per person and is not included in most tours. It’s cash only and small change is highly encouraged.

The two biggest monasteries that draw the greatest number of visitors are Great Meteora and Varlaam. The names of all six working monasteries are as follows:

• St. Stephen’s Nunnery
• Great Meteoron Monastery
• Roussanou Monastery
• Holy Trinity Monastery
• Varlaam Monastery
• St. Nikolaos Anapafsas

Their schedules vary depending on the season (winter or summer) and they close on different days. You can see the full schedule here.

If you’re short on time I recommend the Great Meteora monastery, Varlam and St. Stephen’s nunnery to get a good mix of the highlights.  

Tours of Meteora

There are currently two tour groups operating in Meteora– Visit Meteora  and Meteora Thrones. Simply by means of having come across them first, I went with Visit Meteora and booked their winter special for two consecutive trips. Half price, as if you needed another reason to visit in the off season!

I don’t have anything to compare them to, but my experience was pretty out of this world in both instances.

First, I signed up for the sunset tour at 2pm. Recall that I told you the train arrived late at 1:40PM–by the time I got to the hotel to check in it was 1:55pm and they showed up early. So off I went without freshening up, hence my less than stellar appearance in some of these photos.

That said, these guys are experts at capturing the scenery of the location and know the best spots to pose given the light and time of day. Even better, they will gladly take dozens of photographs of you upon request. If you’re looking for social media friendly shots of the monasteries of Meteora, this is the tour for you.

I took all these photos in this post with an iPhone 6. While I wish I’d had a DSLR camera for the trip, I was amazed at the results on my camera phone alone.

In addition to being great photographers, the guides were also storytellers and regaled us with tales of the tradition behind a rock climbing competition in the city with a scarf as the prize. Up for grabs? The chance at eternal love. You’ll leave the monasteries of Meteora with not an appreciation not only for the nature and surroundings, but local culture as well.

Hiking in Meteora

If you’re even moderately fit, I recommend hiking the area in the morning. You can do this yourself as the trails are well carved out, but I would highly recommend going with a guide as they’re familiar with the rocks and can offer insight that going alone will not provide. Our guide grew up hiking and playing on these mountains and knew them inside and out. He showed us how the monks built the monasteries of Meteora with limited tools and manpower and even showed us a spot where we could step inside a 600 year-old hollow tree.

Unique Souvenirs

Don’t forget to support the monasteries and do a little shopping before you leave . There are so many reasonably priced items available, including handmade soap with Greek olive oil, hand-stitched linens and even rock jewelry so you can take home a rock from Meteora, all for under €1o.

Do you have questions or thoughts about the monasteries of Meteora? I’d love to hear from you.

Till next time, safe travels!

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Liked this post? Pin me below!

Wednesday 24th of July 2019

Hi Jen, OMG this is so useful and exciting. I will be there at the end of August/beginning of September and can't wait to see this place first hand. Thank you for sharing your experience and I already save the place to eat.

Hope J Smith

Monday 10th of June 2019

Is there an email where I can write to you? I have a few more questions on this trip I am going in August of this year.

Jen on a Jet Plane

Friday 14th of June 2019

You can reach me at [email protected] :)

Saturday 30th of June 2018

Brilliant piece on Meteora, best one I have read so far. Will definitely be following all your tips when we visit next year.

Tuesday 3rd of July 2018

Thank you Penny! I hope you have a great visit, let me know if there's anything else I can help with in your planning process!

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

Oh it looks so stunning! Greece us on the bucket list for sure thanks for sharing

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Home | How To Visit the Meteora Monasteries in 2024 – Organized Tours or Self-Guided Visits?

How To Visit the Meteora Monasteries in 2024 – Organized Tours or Self-Guided Visits?

by Violeta Matei | Greece Travel Planning , Mainland Greece

#1 top pick

Majestic Meteora Monasteries Sunset Tour

• ⦿ See all six of the monasteries of this UNESCO World Heritage site & visit inside 1 or 2
• ⦿ Enjoy personalized attention from your guide on a small-group tour
• ⦿ Round-trip door-to-door transfers from Kalabaka and Kastraki
• ⦿ Visit the Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary in the old city of Kalabaka, the Hermitages of Badovas and the secret caves
• ⦿ Duration: 4 hours
• ⦿ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (177 reviews)

Check availability and price

#1 top pick: Private 2-day tour from Athens

Private Meteora All Inclusive 2-Day Tour from Athens by Train

• ⦿ Easy to plan: accommodation, transport and meals all organized in advance
• ⦿ Fully-personalized private tour with professional guide and expert photographer
• ⦿ Learn how to get the most out of your camera with personalized tutorials and guidance
• ⦿ Leave the rental car behind: travel from Athens with included train tickets
• ⦿ Duration: 2 days (approx.)
• ⦿ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (9 reviews)

Meteora monasteries are simply fabulous. Their architecture and the way they are perched on those giant rocks will impress any traveler, no matter how experienced. This religious orthodox complex, which is located in central Greece, boasts one of the most wonderful and intriguing landscapes on Earth. You can’t but admire these man-made constructions that defeat nature in such a way.

The Meteora monasteries complex is the second most important orthodox site in Greece, after Mount Athos. Unlike Mount Athos, though, Meteora monasteries can be visited by women. Well, for reaching some of them you have to be in good physical shape, as you’ll need to climb lots of stairs to get there.

The good news is that many of these monasteries are fairly easy to reach, even though they seem inaccessible at first sight. They are also highly photogenic. Pair your photos with some quotes about Greece and you’re set to amaze your friends and social media followers.

Meteora is a Unesco Heritage site in two categories: art and nature. This is one more proof that the natural landscape in majestic and surprising. These sandstone formations are amazing just as they are. When you add the beautiful monasteries on top of these rocks, the landscape becomes surreal. I’ve been fascinated with the seamless way the monasteries “grow” on these cliff tops as if they were natural and not man-made.

Contents of How To Visit the Meteora Monasteries in 2024 – Organized Tours or Self-Guided Visits?

Where in Greece Is Meteora?

What is meteora, how to get from athens to meteora by train, how to get from athens to meteora by bus, how to get from thessaloniki to meteora by train, how to get from thessaloniki to meteora by bus, what is the best time to visit meteora, st. stephen’s convent (agios stefanos), great meteoron monastery, varlaam monastery, roussanou monastery, the holy trinity monastery, st. nikolaos anapafsas, where to sleep in meteora, organized tours to meteora or self-guided trips, is meteora worth visiting.

The monastic complex at Meteora is located in Thessaly, in Central Greece, very close to Kalabaka (other common spelling variants of this name are Kalambaka or Kalampaka) and Trikala. It is very close to the Pindus Mountains and the Pineios river.

The asphalt road that leads here is very good, although curvy and rather narrow. Nonetheless, you don’t need an off-road vehicle to get to Meteora. Any car would do just fine, as long as you don’t fear driving at high altitude on the edge of the abyss. You don’t even need a car, as you can get here by either train or bus. Public transport offers you the great benefit of not having to take a look to see where in Greece is Meteora, as you’d only need to take a train or a bus to get there.

If I didn’t have my own car, I would have chosen a private tour from Kalabaka to see the rocks in the sunset, during the golden hour , or this 5 hour hiking tour of Meteora .

According to the German geologist Filipson, the huge rock formations at Meteora are the result of natural erosion caused by the river which supposedly covered what is today the Thessaly plain. Orthodox monks were too smart to allow all sorts of enemy hoards spoil their serenity. After living in caves for a while, the ascetics built the 21 Meteora monasteries on top of the sandstone megaliths, thus securing a life free from intruders. Most of these rocks on which the Meteora monasteries were built average 1,000 feet (300 m) in height, but there are some that reach 1,800 feet (550 m).

You’ll feel very small as you’re going to stand there, on the edge of the road, looking up to the walls of those monasteries which seem to have been born from the rock itself.

How To Get to Meteora, Greece?

Getting to Meteora from Athens: you can take the train or the bus, or you can rent a car. If you go for a car rental, you may want to stop by Delphi on your way to Meteora, to see the ruins of this ancient temple. Make sure you have at least one hour for Delphi, because the site is huge and you’ll need to climb to get to the top of the hill. There will be tourist buses, so the place will get crowded. Nonetheless, only a small percentage out of all people climb to the ancient stadium on top of the hill. Get there for a cool panorama of the valley.

If you don’t want to drive, the train is perhaps the best option to get to Meteora from Athens. You need to take the Athens Metro Red Line to Anthoupoli, and get off at Larissa Station. If you come straight from the Airport, you’ll be on the Blue Line, and you’ll change at Syntagma. If you are in the center of Athens, just get to Syntagma Square and take the Red Line metro directly.

From Larissa Station, you have to take the train to Kalabaka. I’m not sure how they spell it in Greek, but you should know it is the same as Kalampaka or Kalambaka. Once you’re on the train, you can relax and even take a nap, because Kalabaka is the end of the line. Keep in mind that the train ride takes almost five hours each way, so make sure you have snacks and water with you. They should serve some refreshments in the train, but I’m not very sure, so you’d better be prepared.

Check out this full day train tour from Athens to Meteora Monasteries, and book it here at the price of today, [todaysdate]. You’ll travel by train by yourself, meet the guide and the other members of your group in the Kalabaka train station, and get on a luxury minibus for a 3.5-hour tour of the Meteora Monasteries. You’ll visit all 6 clifftops, but you have to keep in mind that not all monasteries are open every day, so you may only visit one or two inside. Anyway, the most spectacular thing about Meteora is the scenery with buildings on clifftops and huge rocks carved by water and winds.

If you want to take a bus to Meteora, you need to take the Metro (Green Line) to Kato Patissia station. You can take the Green Line Metro at Monastiraki, and you need to head towards Kifissia on the Green Line. At Kato Patissia station, you have to get off the metro and either walk or take a taxi to get to the Liossion Bus Station. The distance is of 1km, so walking shouldn’t be a problem, unless you’re in a hurry or you have physical constrains.

At Liossion Station  you’ll take a bus to Trikala, which is the big town nearby Kalampaka and Meteora. From Trikala, you have to take another bus to Kalampaka. All these are a bit tricky, as you need to change too many buses to have a comfortable trip. As there are over 400 km from Athens to Kalampaka, you can expect the travel to take 4-5 hours, without taking into consideration the waiting time.

If you are a group of maximum 7 people, you should check out this private tour from Athens to Meteora, here at the price of today, [todaysdate]. The driver will pick you up from your hotel, and you’ll embark on a full-day trip that includes also a delicious Greek lunch.

There are many flights from various cities in Europe to Thessaloniki. While Thessaloniki is a beautiful city, the best part are the day trips you can take from here. Getting to Meteora from Thessaloniki by train is easy. Trains depart from the New Railway Station, or “Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos” which you can reach by public bus or by taxi. You’ll need to take a train to Kalampaka, which is the last station on this line. As most trains from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka switch at Palaeofarsalos, you’ll need to stay tuned until you pass this point Also, the return train timetable in advance, so that you can plan your visit to the monasteries.

The bus is a great option to get to Meteora from Thessaloniki. You have to get to the KTEL bus station in Thessaloniki. There are many city bus lines that take you there, so you won’t have a problem with that. From this bus station, hop on a bus to Trikala, and then take another bus to Kalambaka. Should you be willing to spend one night in Kalambaka or Trikala, you can take an evening bus from Thessaloniki (I think the last one leaves at 9pm. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.

If you’re keen on traveling by train, you can buy your tickets in advance here . If you prefer the bus, you’ll pay your fare to the driver. If you are by car, keep in mind that some portions of the travel are on toll roads. I found it funny that they charge you 2 Euro every few kilometers instead of letting you go as far as you need and charge you the total amount when you exit the motorway.

Click here to book your spot on this bus tour from Thessaloniki to Meteora . You won’t have to bother with anything, just relax and enjoy your guided tour.

Peak season is between July and October. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can visit Meteora, Greece, in the beginning of June or mid-October. Nonetheless, you should keep an eye on the weather forecast, as it can get quite rainy during these months.

I’ve been to Meteora twice: once in June and the second time in September. I’ve been blessed with good weather both times. Although in June it was overcast, it didn’t rain a lot, so I had a great time visiting the monasteries. Unfortunately, most photos from that tour came out dull. However, if you’re lucky to get to Meteora on a sunny day, you’ll experience one of the most amazing sunsets you can imagine. Late fall could also be a great time to visit, as the foliage changes from green to a rainbow of warm colors, creating an epic scenery.

When I visited Meteora in September, I arrived just before the sunset. Watching the sunset on the rocks is a wonderful experience. The photos of the monasteries and of the mountains came off pretty good, as well.

This is the town of Kalambaka –  view from Meteora

As the winter opening hours are different from the summer ones, you should check the schedule before planing your trip to Meteora.

Here are a few photos I’ve taken on my second trip to Meteora, in early September, on a lovely weather.

The Meteora Monasteries

Out of the 21 Meteora monasteries, only six are still erect today. Two of them are nunneries, the other four being inhabited by monks. If you want to visit all of them, you’ll need 2-3 days. The trail between the monasteries is quite long. Besides, not all monasteries are open every day, so you won’t be able to see them all in one day, even if you forget about hiking and go by car. There are also other interesting landmarks in the Kalambaka area such as the Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and the prehistoric cave in Theopetra.

Located on the southern edge of Meteora, Agios Stefanos is the closest monastery to Kalabaka. The access is very easy thanks to the stone bridge that connects the monastery with the main road. Nowadays the bridge is permanent, as opposed to past times when it was mobile. The easy access, with no stairs to climb, makes the Saint Stephen Monastery accessible to travelers with walking problems.

The Agios Stefanos monastery is closed on Mondays.

The Great Meteoron is the biggest of the Meteora monasteries. Easily accessible by car and bus, it is almost always packed with tourists. I’d suggest you either get there before 9am or skip it altogether. We were there, on the mountain around 8:30 am and we already saw at least three buses stopping by the Great Meteoron.

The Great Meteoron Monastery is closed on Tuesdays.

For some reason, Varlaam is my favorite monastery in Meteora. Its history goes back in time to year 1350, when the priest and monk Varlaam built a small church and a few dwellings on top of this rock which served him as home. Unfortunately, after his death, nobody took care of those constructions, so they eventually collapsed.

About 200 years had to pass until the brothers Nectarios and Theofanis climbed this rock and built another church on the ruins of the old one. Today, Varlaam monastery has three churches. It shelters some beautiful frescoes, ancient pottery and various holy items. This Greek monastery also boasts a big library.

Water storage in Varlaam monastery, Meteora Greece. I was sure they used it for wine, but the books say it was water all the way.

The Varlaam Monastery is closed on Fridays.

If you want a station point for stunning images of Meteora and of Varlaam and Metamorphosis monasteries, Roussanou is the place to go. Located on a relatively smaller rock, this monastery is easier to access than many others.

If you get to the Holy Trinity monastery a few minutes before 9am, you’ll be able to see the cable car in motion (and take some cool photos). Unfortunately, the cabin is completely closed and made from metal, so there’s nothing spectacular about it other than the fact that it slides on those ropes. Nonetheless, this is one of the best places to start your tour from.

Although the monastery seems very difficult to get to, don’t let yourself intimidated by that. The stairway is carved into the rock and it isn’t too steep. If you don’t have any disabilities, you should be able to climb it without problems. I’ve seen a lot of seniors doing it.

The Holy Trinity is closed on Thursdays

As it is the first one to access when you come from Kalambaka, this monastery is hard to miss. If this is your first time to Meteora Greece, you’ll probably stop for photos, as you’ll be impressed with the dramatic scenery. I don’t have any good photos of Saint Nikolaos Anapafsas, but I’ll be there in less than one week. Meanwhile, keep an eye on my Facebook page where I’ll post photos from my road trip across mainland Greece.

This holy monastery is closed on Fridays.

If you want to have a good choice of hotels and restaurants, you should get accommodation in Kalambaka. If you want to be even closer to the monasteries, you should try to find accommodation in Kastraki (Kastrakion), the village nearby Meteora.

I’ve been reading on some websites that Kastraki caters mainly to those who love a rural style accommodation. However, I found it to be quite developed, so I’d say it is for all types of travelers. You’ll find accommodation with panoramic view to Meteora monasteries in both Kalambaka and Kastraki.

How would you like a room with a view like the one above? That was the view from my room in Kalambaka, hotel Kosta Famissi – find the current rates and book a room here .

If you want to stay in Kastraki, take a look at Kastelia , a guest house that offers room with kitchen and private bathroom. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to hike or get to some of the Meteora monasteries by foot.

This is a tough one. On one hand, getting to see the Meteora monasteries with a guide will enable you to find out lots of details and historical facts, while also enjoying the breathtaking views of this place. On the other hand, doing your own thing enables you to stop wherever you like and to customize your tour as you wish.

Here are a few Meteora tours you may want to take a closer look at. Even if you don’t book any of them, they can serve you as planning guide, as they can help you understand how much time you need to visit each monastery and what else to visit in the area.

My answer is a big YES. Meteora is one of the must-see places in Greece, even if you have to take a day trip from Athens. If possible, try to spend at least one night in the area, in order to enjoy the sunset on the cliffs.

Ferry Timetables

The Practical Guide to Visiting Meteora and its Hanging Monasteries in Greece

Add the Meteora monasteries to your bucket list, pronto!

Meteora in Greece is hands down the most jaw droppingly unreal and otherworldly destination I’ve ever visited. Hands. Down. Its name means “suspended in the air”, and once you have explored the area you will understand how that came about.

Located in the central region of Greece, Meteora is home to 6 UNESO World Heritage Site monasteries and nunneries precariously perched atop massive rock pillars.

What’s truly amazing is that these 6 monasteries are still active sites of worship, and while car parks and stairways now replace baskets and ropes, visiting Meteora feels like taking a giant leap back in time. If you’re visiting Greece, Meteora is one destination that shouldn’t be skipped.

If you’re short on time, it is possible to spend 1 or 2 days in Meteora exploring the hanging monasteries and sunset viewpoints. Is it exhausting? Yes. Is it doable? Also yes. Can you visit Meteora without joining a tour? Heck yes.

Read on for practical travel tips including the Meteora dress code and where to stay to help plan your trip to the hanging monasteries of Meteora!

What you need to know about visiting Meteora in Greece

All the practical information you need to organize your trip to Meteora and the hanging monasteries, including the best time of year to visit, the location of Meteora and how to get there, what to bring, how to get around and what to see in Meteora.

1. The best time to visit Meteora

The best time to visit is in late spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) when the crowds are less hectic. However, Meteora is manageable in the summer months if you start early and visit the largest monasteries before the tour buses arrive.

2. How to get to Meteora

Where is Meteora in Greece? Meteora is located near the town of Kalabaka, bam smack in the middle of mainland Greece. Most visitors travel from major cities such as Thessaloniki to Meteora or from Athens to Meteora. Meteora is approximately 230 KM or a 3 hour drive away from Thessaloniki, or roughly 350 KM or a 4 hour drive away from Athens.

Because of the way we designed our Greece road trip itinerary we actually drove to Meteora after a night in Olympia and that was the easiest, most pleasant way for us to stick to our own schedule; the drive was fairly leisurely and took approximately 7 hours, but as you approach Meteora the roads become more narrow as you make your way through the mountains.

In general, driving around Greece is extremely easy (if I can do it, so can you) and cities are well-connected by brand new highways and plenty of rest stops. Just don’t be surprised if every other car zooms past you at 20 km/hour over the speed limit!

Looking for the best prices for rental cars around the world?  Click here to book your rental car ahead of your trip.  Bookings can be cancelled or amended if your plans change! We rented our car in Greece from Kosmos for approximately 50 Euros per day.

If you don’t plan on renting a car, there are public transportation options from Athens and Thessaloniki but I would recommend staying at least 1 night in Kastraki or Kalabaka ( sometimes also spelled Kalambaka or Kalampaka ). Click here for more information on how to get to Meteora from Athens by public transportation.

3. How to get around Meteora

Once you are in the area, you can self-drive a car (like we did) or rent a scooter from Kalabaka to visit the various monasteries, or alternatively there are plenty of day trip operators that can drive you around to see the monasteries of Meteora in a private car if you do not have access to your own transportation. If you do not plan on driving and would prefer to walk/trek between the sites, I would recommend giving yourself a full 2 days in Meteora.

You could choose to walk to get between the monasteries, but it is sweltering hot in the summer months and there is a lot of ground to cover between the different sites – do not underestimate the distance between the monasteries of Meteora, as well as the trek back into Kastraki or Kalabaka.

I remember driving past some poor souls who were schlepping up the hilly roads in the heat and thinking, “I’m so glad that isn’t me right now”. I would recommend that you do a mixture of driving and hiking to make the most of your time in Meteora.

Each monastery has (limited) space for parking on the side of the road, and it only takes a few minutes to drive between the monasteries. There are also a few different gas stations in the area so make sure you compare prices as they vary a fair bit.

Looking to visit other incredible historical sites in Greece? Click here for my mainland Greece road trip itinerary!

4. Where to stay in Meteora, Greece

We spent 2 nights at the family-run Pyrgos Adrachti hotel in Kastraki. The hotel is only 1 kilometer from St. Nikolaos should you wish to walk, or a 5 minute drive away from where the monasteries are located. If you make your way to Meteora by car, there are plenty of parking spaces at Pyrgos Adrachti but I would recommend hiring a small sedan as there are some tight corners and narrow pathways to navigate in order to get to this hotel.

The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the owners are helpful – they are the ones who told us about the Psaropetra look out! The best thing about staying at the Pyrgos Adrachti is the view from the balcony – make sure you ask for a room with this view. Click here to book your stay at the Pyrgos Adrachti hotel or click here to see other highly rated hotels in Meteora and the surrounding areas!

Looking for more options for where to stay in Meteora? Here are some other alternatives that we seriously considered during the extensive accommodation research process : The Storyteller : This boutique hotel in Kalabaka is a stylish retreat for anyone traveling to Meteora. The rooms are modern and tastefully decorated, and there is parking available for those who are self-driving. Click here to check rates and availability at The Storyteller Boutique House . 1951 Suites : If you’re after a view, check out the rooms and suites at this renovated traditional house in Kalabaka. Reviewers love the location, helpful host and easy on-site parking. Some rooms also have a small terrace. Click here to check rates and availability at 1951 Suites . Tsikeli Boutique Hotel : This adults-only hotel in Meteora offers easy access to the monasteries from Kastraki. Perfect for couples and special occasions, some of the cozy and modern rooms are equipped with hot tubs and private balconies. Parking is also available on-site. Click here to check rates and availability at Tsikeli Boutique Hotel .

5. What to bring and the Meteora dress code

Bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, a snack, a good camera that can capture photos in low light as the sunsets are spectacular. However, you should know that you cannot take photos within the interiors of the monasteries, and that you shouldn’t take photos of any of the monks or nuns without their explicit permission. Also bring cash as you will need to pay €3 to enter each monastery.

Wear: Good walking shoes. The Meteora monasteries have strict dress codes so women will need to wear a long skirt, dress or sarong. It’s not enough to keep your knees covered so no trousers or shorts. However, all the monasteries have wrap skirts and shawls at the entrances that you can borrow. Shoulders should also be covered but I noticed that they are far more strict about the long skirt.

Men should wear a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt (no sleeveless shirts) and pants but I saw a few people who got away with wearing long shorts that hit just below the knee. Remember that the monasteries are places of worship , so be respectful and conduct yourself properly.

The hanging monasteries of Meteora

In this central region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks in Greece, monks settled on these “columns of the sky”, and “Meteora” became the name the monks gave to the monolithic columns that seemingly pierced the clouds and sky. The name, “Meteora”, roughly translates into “suspended in air”. In its heyday, there were a total of 24 monasteries.

Today, there are 6 still standing: St. Nikolaos Anapafsas, Great Meteoron, Roussanou, Holy Trinity, Varlaam and St. Stephen’s. They all vary in size and have different visiting hours that change depending on season. If the map below doesn’t load then click here for a map of the monasteries in Meteora .

They are also closed on different days of the week, so it’s important to check the schedule ahead of your visit . The largest and most popular monasteries (Great Meteoron and Varlaam) fill up quickly with busloads of tourists, so its best to start your day early.

Wondering which monastery to visit in Meteora? Here is the rough order in which I would recommend seeing the monasteries: Great Meteoron and Varlaam, Roussanou, Holy Trinity, St. Nikolaos and/or St. Stephen’s.

1. Start by visiting Great Meteoron monastery and Varlaam in the morning

Here’s where the walking and hiking part kicks in. Skip St. Nikolaos (the first monastery you will hit on your way up) and drive past the monastery by around 100 metres and park the car on the side of the road. This is where the trail begins to hike up to the Great Meteoron and Varlaam (look for a small, unmarked wooden bench).

The hike to Great Meteoron will take approximately 45 minutes and is mostly shaded, but the path is uneven and uphill. About 3/4 of the way through you will reach a fork in the road – take the left path to head up to Great Meteoron.

The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron is the largest and oldest monastery remaining in Meteora, founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite. Within the monastery you’ll find a museum and main church, but take some time soaking in the breathtaking views across Kalabaka from its courtyard.

Tour the Great Meteoron and after you’re done there, walk a few steps over to Varlaam , the neighboring monastery. Founded in the 14th century, Vaarlam is the second-largest monastery in Meteora and was reputed to house the finger of St. John and the shoulder blade of St. Andrew.

You can easily spend 30-40 minutes wandering around each monastery and exploring the chapels, courtyards, cellars and so on.

Once you have explored Varlaam, take the path on your left (as you’re exiting) to walk back down to where you parked your car. Bonus points for buying a popsicle outside Varlaam to cool yourself off.

Ready to book your Meteora trip? We loved our stay at the family-run Pyrgos Adrachti hotel in Kastraki. The low-key boutique hotel is a 5-minute drive away from the Meteora monasteries. Click here to book your stay at the Pyrgos Adrachti hotel or click here to see other highly rated hotels in Meteora and the surrounding areas! Looking for more Meteora hotel options? You might also want to consider checking out at The Storyteller (an elegant boutique hotel with modern rooms), 1951 Suites (a renovated traditional house offering rooms with a view) and Tsikeli Boutique Hotel (an adult-only Meteora hotel with tastefully-decorated rooms).

2. Drive on to Roussanou and Holy Trinity

Next, drive over to Roussanou (also known as The Monastery of St. Barbara), a nunnery dating back to the 16th century. Today, it is still a working nunnery with more than a dozen nuns who reside there and tend to a church and reception halls. Compared to the other monasteries in Meteora, Roussanou is relatively easily accessible due to its lower elevation.

Holy Trinity dates back to the 14th century and is not easy to get to as it sits high up on a cliff, so pace yourself as it is only reachable by hiking up nearly 150 steps. Because of its location and inaccessibility, few tour buses stop here so it may be perfect for those looking for a more peaceful opportunity to explore the grounds. In the past, the Holy Trinity also relied upon pulleys and baskets for supplies, but a small funicular is now used to carry supplies to the main building.

Once you have visited these two monasteries, head back towards Kalabaka for lunch as St. Stephen’s is shut from 1:30-3:30 pm (1-3 pm in the winter months). On your way back, you can stop at The Monastery of St. Nikolaos as it shuts earlier than the other monasteries. St. Nikolaos dates back to the 14th century and features detailed frescoes painted in the early 1500s; today, it houses just one lone abbot.

3. Next, head over to St. Stephen’s

St. Stephen’s is the most accessible monastery as all you have to do is cross a bridge. If you have any mobility issues or are traveling with young children or elderly family then you may want to consider heading straight to St. Stephen’s. It suffered a lot of damage during WWII and was abandoned until the 1960s when it was restored as a nunnery – today, it is home to more than two dozen nuns.

As you drive from point-to-point, there are plenty of lookout areas that you can stop and take pictures at, just make sure you park safely and out of the way of other vehicles.

Ready to see this incredible place with your own eyes? Click here to book your stay at the Pyrgos Adrachti hotel or click here to see other highly rated hotels in Meteora and the surrounding areas!

My ultimate tip for visiting Meteora

End the day with a stunning sunset at Psaropetra sunset view point in Meteora. Most people swarm to watch the sunset in Meteora from another viewpoint next to Varlaam, so this one tends to be relatively uncrowded. Even when there are more visitors there is still room for everyone to spread out.

Psaropetra is just past the Roussanou nunnery parking lot. On a clear night you can expect the most mind blowing colours – see why this is probably the best sunset viewpoint in Meteora?

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

I hope this guide helps you to visit Meteora more efficiently and make the most of your time in Greece. Have you visited Meteora? What are your tips to travelers visiting the area?

Ready to book your trip to Meteora in Greece? I recommend staying at the family-run Pyrgos Adrachti hotel in Kastraki. The hotel is only 1 kilometer from St. Nikolaos should you wish to walk, or a 5 minute drive away from where the monasteries are located. Make sure you ask for a room with a view! Click here to book your stay at the Pyrgos Adrachti hotel or click here to see other highly rated hotels in Meteora and the surrounding areas! Looking for more options for where to stay in Meteora? We would also seriously consider staying at The Storyteller (a stylish boutique hotel with modern rooms), 1951 Suites (a renovated traditional house offering rooms with a view) and Tsikeli Boutique Hotel (an adults-only hotel in Meteora with cozy and tastefully-decorated rooms).

Planning a trip to Greece? Check out my other destination guides!

• If you are short on time (like we were) you should check out this  mainland Greece road trip itinerary
• Wandering what to see in Athens?  Here are 7 archaeological sites and museums not to miss
• Immerse yourself in the history and origins of the Olympic Games.  Read on for what to do in Olympia, Greece
• Once considered to be the centre of the world, the  ancient sanctuary of Delphi  is a great day trip from Athens
• Planning a trip to Santorini? Here are the  best things to do in Santorini and tips on where to stay
• No DSLR camera? No problem. These photos were all taken using my iPhone! Here are my  best tips for taking photos with your smartphone
• Check out all of my Greece travel tips and guides here

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80 Comments

Hi, just out of curiosity why do you suggest a private tour to get around the monestaries?

Just like section 3 I was planning to hire a car and drive to Meteora then presumably drive to the monestaries.

However, you suggest getting a private tour from there. Is it because the roads are difficult to drive? Or you wanted to leverage the tour guides local knowledge?

Hi Lance, we hired a car and drove to/around Meteora so it’s not absolutely necessary to join a tour. That is an option for people who don’t have access to their own transportation (either a car or scooter), apologies if that wasn’t clear. You may have issues finding sufficient parking at the various monasteries if you plan on visiting during the peak season. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to being there this summer. I was thinking originally of the train, but now I’m thinking of driving there (from Athens) and maybe renting a scooter (or maybe that’s not necessary with the car). Are the roads good for driving after dark? Was thinking of getting there in the evening and staying in a hotel and getting an early start the next day, then driving back after sunset.

Hi Roger, the roads and freeways are generally in good condition/well-lit, though in my experience you will need to be careful as many drivers do not abide by speed limits in Greece. I would probably recommend that you drive back to Athens during daylight hours, rather than in the evening. Safe travels!

Hi! I am going to Meteora beginning of June with some friend and I am not sure if we should take the scenic train ride or a rental car to Meteora. What would you recommend? Do you know if the train ride is worth it?

We rented a car so I can’t compare it to the train, sorry! However, it was much easier to get around with our own car. Otherwise you’ll have to walk.

Thank you for this post! It reassured me that we can do Meteora on our own & in 2 days. Also really helped me organize and plan. Your photos make me even more excited for the trip!

Hi Erin, thanks so much for taking the time to read this and I’m so happy to hear that you found it to be a useful resource! Have an amazing time in Greece – we loved it!

Hey Flo, Greece is on my bucket list but have kept it after I get hitched 😉 Pictures have turned super fantastic. Flo, have you visited those white houses with blue strips all around which we usually see in pictures. I really love it. Hope to get there soon 🙂

Hi Aanchal, thanks for checking this out! Are you referring to Santorini?

Meteora is just unreal — such a unique destination. Glad you experienced and had amazing weather to take great photos.

The weather was perfect! Cool in the mornings and evenings 🙂

Hola! I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!

Hi Amy! Thank you so much for your encouragement and support! 🙂

Guess I gotta add Meteora to the list as well. Such spectacular shots and that view at Psaropetra look out is absolutely unreal. Ughh so many awesome places that you’ve shared that I wanna travel to. Now if only I had more vacation days lol!

You have to! Also add Delphi to the list 😉 A post is in the works!

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The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide to Meteora Greece

This post contains references to tours and experiences  from affiliate partnerships.  We may receive compensation when you click on those links.  Tours and experiences explicitly discussed and posted on this site have been carefully vetted.

The word, meteora, quite literally means “suspended in the air”. Once you visit, you’ll understand exactly why. I spent three days in Meteora, which I found to be a solid amount of time to see what this region of Greece is most famous for: the Meteora Monasteries.

Meteora, Greece

While some may plan their trip to Greece around a visit to Athens and the islands, Meteora provides a very different view of the country that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you appreciate nature, love to hike, and are looking to add a UNESCO World Heritage Site to your travel bucket list, I highly recommend adding Meteora to the itinerary.

Where is Meteora?

Meteora is a breathtaking spectacle located in Thessaly, Greece. This geological marvel is nestled just north of the quaint town of Kalabaka (also spelled Kalampaka or Kalambaka), south of the village of Kastraki, and east of the Pindus Mountains, in the valley of the Pineiós River.

Meteora History

As you peer out at miraculous peaks rising into the sky, you’ll see elaborate monasteries built right into them.  These have been home to monks for centuries, who sought complete isolation.  To read more about the history of the Meteora Monasteries, click here .

Best Time to Visit Meteora

While Meteora can be visited year-round, the summer months are sure to be busy with tourists. If you're seeking a quieter experience, consider visiting outside of the peak tourist season. I visited in mid-May and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t very crowded and the temperature was perfect, especially for hiking.

How to Get to Meteora

Meteora is easily accessible by both train and car.  If you’re coming from Athens, you can use the Hellenic Train site to search for all possible train options or read more about how to get to Meteora by train .  

I had rented a car during my stay in Greece and was able to get from Meteora to Athens in approximately four hours.  Keep in mind, there are a lot of tolls on the highways in Greece, so be prepared to pay.  Luckily, they take credit cards.

Meteora Travel Guide and Tips

Where to stay in meteora.

There are two main towns in Meteora:  Kalabaka and Kastraki.  You can find many hotel options as well as apartment rentals .

I had the pleasure of staying at The Grand Meteora Hotel , which was a little more serene and removed from the towns.  I awoke to stunning views of the cliffs each morning and was still able to easily make my way to some of the more populated areas for dinners and tours.

Solo Travel in Meteora

If you’re a solo traveler, you’ll feel incredibly safe in Meteora. The locals are kind and there are so many tour options you can select from that will allow you to meet others while you explore. This is the perfect place to visit if you’d like to get out of Athens for some time with nature.

Dining in Meteora

Meteora is known for its Vlach cuisine, which offers an array of traditional dishes that are cherished by the locals and a gastronomic adventure for visitors. 

From delectable meze options like leek-infused sausage, kokoretsi, and kebab, to mouthwatering pies filled with wild greens, cornmeal, and feta cheese, you’ll definitely leave the tavernas pleasantly full. 

As for desserts, Thessaly is not only known for its Farsala Halva but also for a delightful delicacy known as spatula – a pie filled with walnuts, cream, and almonds. This dessert, with its distinctive combination of tastes and textures, is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. 

I had two delicious dinners during my trip here.  

At Yamas Taverna , I enjoyed a refreshing glass of their local house wine along with a pork tenderloin, flanked by french fries and a salad.  

I pulled out all of the stops when I dined at  Taverna Gardenia .  I started with a very simple, but tasty, green salad to offset the fried cheese (called saganaki) that I had as an appetizer.  For a main course, I ordered chicken souvlaki, accompanied with a side of fries.  My favorite detail was the lemon slice that showed up on each dish, adding a bit of sweetness to each savory item that I devoured.  To close out the meal, I was treated to both a piece of portokalopita (a dense orange piece) and a glass of ouzo to cleanse my palate.  This meal was my idea of perfection.

Things to Do in Meteora

Meteora monasteries.

Visiting one of the six active Meteora monasteries should be at the top of your list on your Meteora itinerary. You can find out more information about the monasteries on Visit Meteora’s website along with their schedules . I was lucky enough to visit the Great Meteoron Monastery on a hiking tour as well as St. Stephen’s Nunnery during a sunset tour . Both of them were quite a spectacle and absolutely beautiful from both afar and the inside. I even saw several monks at the Great Meteoron Monastery.

Meteora Guided Tours

There are so many various tours and experiences that you can book for your visit to Meteora.  Visit Meteora has everything from multi-day rail tours to individual experiences including hiking, sunset tours, monastery tours, and wine tastings.  You can find their full list of tours here .

Hiking in Meteora

If you’re into the outdoors, I highly recommend the hiking tour that I went on with Visit Meteora .  It was the perfect combination of physical activity and history that kept me engaged the entire time.  

My guide, Evan, was delightful, knowledgeable, and also funny as he told us the origin of the name “orchid”, which (naturally) comes from the Greek language.  You can google that one if you want to know.  Haha!  

We spent a couple hours making our way uphill, stopping every so often for Evan to give us some historical information about the region (and for some of us to catch our breath).  My favorite stop was at a large area that had an endless view of the countryside below, the cliffs, and even a monastery clinging to the side of one of them.  

Once we got high enough, we stopped at The Great Meteoron Monastery, where we had an hour to visit inside.  I was amazed at how updated and well-kept every inch of it was.  After we explored, it was time to make our final trek; this time it was all downhill and a bit more steep.  

Overall, this hike was the highlight of my time in Meteora and I have to give a huge shoutout to Evan for his enthusiasm, knowledge, and kindness to all of us.

Sunset Tour of Meteora

The second tour I had the pleasure of experiencing was a sunset tour . This was much different from the hiking tour in that it required a lot less physical activity. We had a small bus with a guide, Maria, who told us an in-depth history of the area and monasteries. She was so much fun and I loved her energy. We made several stops to take photos and see some impressive landmarks.

In the middle of our tour , we were given time to visit St. Stephen’s Nunnery, which was just as beautiful and well-kept at the Great Meteoron Monastery that I saw the previous day. 

The tour concludes at sunset with a stop at a large cliff that has a remarkable view of Meteora. This was the highlight of the tour for me because it was peaceful, relaxing, and made for some epic photos. We didn’t have the best sunset view because of the cloudiness, but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. I highly recommend going on the sunset tour .

If you’re in the process of planning a trip to Greece, I can’t recommend a visit to Meteora enough.  Along with its natural beauty that has added it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Meteora is a fantastic destination for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.  This historical region, that is much less crowded than the ever popular islands and capitol, is ideal for solo travelers looking for a break from the masses.  I hope you consider adding it to your Greece travel itinerary.

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About the Author

Hi! My name is Terry and I'm a former elementary school teacher. After 13 years in the classroom, I decided to take my side hustle of creating educational resources full-time. Now, I work remotely and have the time and flexibility to do what I've always wanted to do more of: TRAVELING. I've created an online space where I can share my adventures along with tips for anyone who has had the desire to seek adventure, but may have things holding them back. Whether it's financial reasons, or you simply don't have anyone to go with - I'm here to help you get inspired to just go for it and book the trip! If you're looking for that push/motivation, follow along with me! Make sure you check me out on TikTok and Instagram, too!

How to Plan a Meteora Day Trip from Thessaloniki (The Right Way)

If you’ve seen photos of Meteora , I’m sure you need no convincing that taking a Meteora tour from Thessaloniki is an essential day trip.

There are a handful of ways to handle a Meteora tour from Thessaloniki: going on a guided tour, renting a car and driving yourself, or going via public transportation. Each way comes with its own pros and cons and surprises. In fact, believe it or not, it is actually cheaper  to go on a guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki than to DIY a day trip there using public transportation.

Below, I’ll go over the three main ways you can arrange a Meteora day trip from Thessaloniki, although the only one I have firsthand experience with is taking a guided tour. The rest are my best guesses from research. If you’ve done it any other way, please share your experience in the comments below!

Taking a Guided Meteora Tour from Thessaloniki

This is by far the easiest option and it actually shakes out to be less expensive than taking the train to Thessaloniki for some reason! The train itself from Thessaloniki to Meteora is around 29 euros – so double that, and you’ll see that do save money by taking the guided tour (and that’s not even factoring in the transportation around  Meteora – that’s just literally getting you in between Meteora and Kalambaka).

I went with Ammon Express and it cost 55 euros round trip. Monastery fees (3 euros per monastery so a total of 6 euros), lunch, souvenirs, and extras like coffee are not included in the price. This is the exact tour I took, so you can read reviews (including my own!) here.

Here’s a basic rundown of how the day goes. Ammon Express has five pick-up spots in Thessaloniki, running roughly in a straight line through the most touristic part of the city. You pick the pick-up spot that is closest to you and meet them there. Be sure to show up a few minutes early. I met them at Aristotelous Square at 8:15 and sure enough, they were about 5 minutes early. So show up early as they have to pull over and park and they don’t have an officially designated spot – you don’t want your lateness to get them in trouble, or to make other people further down the line wait!

We drove for an hour and a half and made a stop at a small café / rest area for about 20 minutes, where I grabbed breakfast and a cappuccino and used the restroom. We then continued onwards another one and a half hours to Meteora. First, we stopped at the classic viewpoint of Meteora, the one you’ve seen in all the photos, Holy Trinity Monastery, perched in isolation atop one of the most beautiful rock pillars in the entire plateau of Meteora.

Keep in mind that the monasteries you visit on your tour will depend on the opening hours of each monastery. They are only open a few days a week so if you have your heart set on seeing a specific monastery, do the research when booking your Meteora tour to ensure that it’s open on the day of our tour, and possibly reach out to your tour company to see if that’s one of the included tours.

We were supposed to see St. Stephen’s Monastery, a functioning nunnery; however, despite the schedule indicating it was supposed to be open that day, it was closed. Therefore, instead, we saw Varlaam Monastery and Great Meteoron, the second and first largest monasteries in Meteora respectively. But on the way, we stopped again at another fantastic viewpoint for photos!

Our guide at Ammon Tours was not able to come in with us into the monasteries. This is because he is not specifically licensed to be a guide in Meteora proper, which is highly regulated and in limited numbers. Our guide was able to give you plenty of explanation as he drives you around the monastery and direct us to what we should look out for, though, which was plenty for me.

In fact, I actually preferred this. Often, when taking a guided tour, I feel rather trapped by the confines of the tour and sticking with the group. As a blogger, I need to prioritize getting a lot of photos first, as it’s much easier to research the history online or in books later than it is to come back and get photos. I liked that I had free time to roam and photograph without feeling rude for ignoring my guide. However, if you are a history geek who wants every bit of the buildings you’re seeing explained, a different kind of tour may be a better fit.

We had about 45 minutes at Varlaam Monastery and about an hour at Great Meteoron. For me, this was the perfect amount of time to allocate for each and climb their many stairs, gather photos, pet the friendly monastery cats, shop for souvenirs, and see the churches and museums inside each monastery complex.

After seeing both monasteries, which is done early in the day as in general, the monasteries close around two, it was time for lunch. We were a small group of three so our guide let us choose what to do for lunch; we chose to do our own thing in Kalambaka instead of having a big lunch in Kastraki. I had a delicious gyro for just a few euros in the town of Kalambaka and went for a small walk in the city. However, keep in mind that I went in January and there were three people on my tour including myself. You likely won’t have this option in the peak season, when the tour group is larger and therefore needs to be more structured.

After lunch, it was back to Thessaloniki! We made the same coffee/bathroom break about 1.5 hours in and then continued back into the city. Since we were a small group and able to travel quickly, we got back around 5 PM having seen and done everything. However, in the summer or when traveling with a large group, you may get back closer to 6 PM or even 7 PM. It takes time to wrangle groups – especially when stairs are involved – and sit down for a multi-person lunch.

All in all, I highly recommended my Meteora tour from Thessaloniki and hands down found it the easiest, most rewarding way to visit this UNESCO World Heritage sight in a single day. A big shout out to the awesome Giorgios who shared his passion and wisdom with us, and whose goodwill and flexibility made our Meteora tour even better.

Sounds like the right tour to you? Click here to see prices, reviews, and make a booking here . Note that if you can book online, there’s no need to print – simply show your voucher on the mobile app. Gotta love technology these days!

Self-Driving from Meteora to Thessaloniki

If you rent a car, there is no reason why you can’t visit Meteora from Thessaloniki quite easily on a day trip. The roads between Thessaloniki and Meteora are excellent, although long – it takes about 3 hours point to point.

I have no experience with renting a car in Greece yet but I don’t see why it would be more difficult than driving elsewhere in the Balkans. Greek drivers can be slightly fast but not particularly aggressive or careless. However, if you travel in winter, be careful and watch the weather reports. There had been a big snow storm a few days before I went to Meteora that made many of the roads very dangerous. A few days later, they cleared it and it was perfectly fine to drive, so just check the weather and be cautious.

I did notice that we passed several toll booths on our way to Meteora but neglected to notice exactly how much we were paying each time, so do remember that you will be using a number of toll roads that may end up adding up on your Meteora day trip.

Looking briefly at car rental prices, you can get it as low as 15 euros for a manual car picking up at Thessaloniki Airport. Automatic cars start around 25 euros. There are some options to pick up in Thessaloniki city center but you’ll have to ask around to find the best rental company in the city center – it’s not something I’ve tried yet.

Don’t forget to factor in gas! At present, gas costs about 1.50 euros per liter, so that can add up to your road trip costs. As Thessaloniki to Meteora and back is nearly 500 km, I’d estimate you will pay about 60 euros of gas. Of course, that is purely my best guess and will vary depending on what car you drive and its fuel efficiency, how you drive, weather conditions, etc.

So when totaling up costs, remember that you’ll have to get to Thessaloniki airport if you’re not starting your trip there, plus the rental car and any insurance you buy, gas, and tolls. All in all, I’d say 120-150 euros is a good estimate for how much the trip will take. So if you are traveling in a large group such as 4-5 people, it may likely end up cheaper than taking a day tour. On the other hand, if you are traveling in a couple or solo, it is definitely cheaper to take the tour I mentioned above .

If you do your own tour, get an early start as most monasteries close at 2 PM in winter. In the summer, most close around 4 PM. Do your research and pick the monasteries you want to visit and their opening hours, remembering that many are closed on specific days of the week. In general, Sunday is a good day to go when most of the monasteries are open.

Taking Public Transportation from Meteora to Thessaloniki

Normally, the best advice for budget travelers is to scrap the group tour and DIY it using public transportation.

Unfortunately, that’s actually not the best option for Meteora. The Greek train website is a bit of a nightmare to use, but from what I could find, it cost 29 euros to travel to the nearby town of Kalambaka from Thessaloniki via public transportation. If you buy a return ticket, you can reduce the price a bit – I saw some return tickets for about 15 euros, and others for around 25.

Furthermore, that just gets you to Kalambaka. From there, you will either need to hire a guided tour from Kalambaka or hire a taxi to take you around Meteora, as the monasteries are not walking distance from the Kalambaka train station.

I’d only recommend doing this option if you plan to stay several days in Kalambaka, seeing all the monasteries at a leisurely pace and enjoying the area around Meteora. If you simply want to do a day trip, a shuttle and tour service is the better and cheaper option.

Whatever way you plan your Meteora trip from Thessaloniki, one thing is for sure – you’ll be glad you did it. Nothing can compare to the magic of seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most unique I’ve seen in the world, for itself.

Greece Travel Tips

Here are a few things to know before coming to Greece. First, you can read our article on  planning a trip to Greece  to make sure you’ve thought about each of the travel planning steps on our eleven-point checklist.

Second, if you’re planning to explore the islands as part of your trip here, we have recommendations in our  Greek Island Hopping Guide  and our  Greek Destinations Guide.  If you’re interested in the most romantic spots in Greece, we’ve narrowed the list down to our favorite  Greek honeymoon spots.

Finally, make sure you always travel to Greece or anywhere in Europe with a valid  travel insurance policy. Greece is a very safe place to travel, but accidents and theft can easily ruin your trip if you don’t have the travel insurance coverage to recover the losses. Recently my aunt fell on a train in France and needed surgery, but luckily her travel insurance covered the costs in full. Thank goodness!

For travel insurance, I use World Nomads .   I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’ve never had an issue when making a claim. I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.

Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.

Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.

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Hello, I want to take a day tour to Meteora from Tesaloniki, Do you know a few tour companies other than Ammon express? Do you recommend to travel with Ammon Express ? I read reviews, some of them did not recommend them/

Hi Avi, I only took Ammon Express and was really happy with my experience which is why I recommended them. It’s more of a shuttle service than a guide service because Meteora is very strict with their guide licensing, but it was perfect for what I wanted. I don’t know any other tour companies firsthand, sorry.

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The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Meteora, Greece

• Last Updated On: September 8, 2023

In the middle of the mountains in the heart of the Greece lies the world famous monasteries of Meteora. These iconic buildings perched up on a rocky cliff have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and are among the most fascinating monasteries in the world.

Whether you’re here to embrace your spiritual aura, take breathtaking picture, or to just soak up the amazing views like the monasteries forefathers intended, think no further about planning your trip. The pictures here will give you serious FOMO, but don’t worry as everything you need to know about visiting Meteora will be covered in this post!

Greece is my favorite country in Europe and I traveled extensively through the country. If you need inspiration for other parts of Greece, make sure to read my Ultimate Greece Travel Guide that details everything yo need to know about Greece and the places I’ve been to.

History of the Meteora Monasteries

The Meteora monasteries emerged from hermitages in crevices, which according to tradition go back to the 10th century. The first monastery, called Doúpiani, dates back to the early 13th century, but only a chapel remains, which is still used and preserved.

The religious bloom of the monasteries did not take place until 1334, when the monk Athanasius fled from the monastic republic of Athos to the Meteora monasteries before the Turkish rule. At that time he founded the largest monastery to this day called Metamórphosis and wrote the first rules of monastic life. The monks in the Meteora monasteries lived in the coenobite system, that is, without possessions, in community and isolated from the outside world.

In the following decades, more monasteries were built, most of the founders of which have not been recorded by name. Due to their difficult accessibility, the wealthy monasteries were never looted or raided and the monks were able to go about their business in peace.

How to get to Meteora

Meteora is in the northern part of Greece located roughly 2.5 hours outside of Thessaloniki. As it is such a popular part of Greece, it is easily reached from Thessaloniki and there are even multi day tours from the capital city of Athens.

Meteora really goes to show how diverse and amazing Greece is. Having spent months traveling through the beautiful Greek Cyclades and Ionian islands , I couldn’t pick a more different looking place in Meteora!

The easiest and quickest way to reach Meteora is to fly to Thessaloniki and rent a car. Car rentals are very cheap in Greece and I was able to rent a car for only 10 euros a day (manual of course).

From the airport, you will drive west past the city of Thessaloniki until you hit the main freeway. You will pass through stunning mountsinous terrain with mount Olympus along the way. The trip in total is 2.5 hours. Keep in mind Greece has a lot of tolls and there are a few on the way to Meteora. Thankfully, they all accept credit card.

There are daily bus services from Thessaloniki and Athens to Meteora. These buses are not direct but go via Trikala. This means that you have to go from Athens to Trikala and then take another bus to Kalambaka. Buses depart from Trikala to Kalambaka almost every hour. From Kalambaka, you can go to the Monasteries of Meteora by taxi or by bus (bus works only in summertime).

The bus from Athens to Trikala/Kalambaka departs from Liossion KTEL Bus Station. To go there, passengers have to take the metro line to Attiki Station and then take the bus/taxi to KTEL Liossion. The walking time from Attiki to KTEL Liossion is about 30 min. The bus trip from Athens to Trikala lasts for 5 hours and the trip from Trikala to Kalambaka for 30 min.

There are also daily buses from Thessaloniki, Volos and other Greek towns to Trikala. After you arrive in Trikala, you have to take another bus to Kalambaka/Meteora. The bus trip from Thessaloniki to Trikala is 3 hours and from Volos to Trikala 2 hours.

By Day Trip

There are countless day trip options from Thessaloniki that will take you to Meteora. The day normally starts early in the morning around 6:30am so you can arrive at the monasteries for the first opening hours (9:30am). These tours are usually conducted in big charter buses to keep costs low but there are other options for smaller groups.

The downside to these day trips are that you will miss the sunset since you need to leave around 4pm to make it back to Thessaloniki at a respectable hour.

Getting around Meteora

Once you are in Meteora, how do you actually visit the monasteries? They are located up on mountains far from the main town after all.

Thankfully, there are easy ways to get to and from the Monasteries without a car. There is a bus that goes from the city center in Kalambaka and will drop you off in front of the Grand Meteoron. From here you can walk to the other monasteries nearby like Vaarlam.

Meteora is not as big as you think. The area from the Great Meteoron monastery in the west to the st Stephen’s monastery on the east. There is a nice paved road trip that connects all monasteries. It is roughly 5km or about one hour to walk this entire road. Of course you’ll want to stop at the other monasteries around but it can totally be done on foot.

The monasteries themselves are all easy to enter. For some reason I had thought these monasteries are located on standalone rock peaks but they are in fact all connected to the main road. Most monasteries will require climbing a few stairs but it is not like you are starting from the ground and climbing up hundreds of meters!

Bus from Kalambaka to Meteora

Buses  depart from Trikala to  Kalambaka  almost every hour. From  Kalambaka , you can go to the Monasteries of  Meteora  by taxi or by  bus  ( bus  works only in summertime).

Booking a Bike tour to see Meteora

A great way to see Meteora is by bike. I saw many people riding bicycles around the roads connecting the monasteries. This is a great way to get exercise and with the distances being relatively short, a very convenient way to do it.

From Kalambaka, there are a few bike rental shops that will rent regular and electric bikes. The bike ride from Kalambaka up to Meteora is hilly, but not that difficult for normal bikers. WIth an electric bike, no problem at all.

I ended up booking an Airbnb experience for a sunset electric bike ride. My guide was incredibly informative about the history and details of Meteora that I learned more than I ever could have otherwise. The bike ride was also very enjoyable on the e-bike and in the end, the views for the sunset were superb.

Where to eat in Meteora

Meteora has no shortage of amazing restaurants. Like the rest of Greece, which I have experienced so much of, the food here is superb and you can expect the freshest ingredients when dining at the many tavernas nearby.

It’s the one cuisine that I can eat for weeks and months on end without tiring of it. My consistent regimen of Greek salads, souvlaki, Tzatziki, lamb chops, moussaka, feta etc. is one of the main reasons I come back to Greece.

Skaros Taverna

For grilled meats, come to this place in the main Kalambaka town. They have a open grill and the souvlaki style meats are roasting on a horizontal spit over charcoal. Their lamb souvlaki was to die for.

Taverna Bakaliarakia

Located right at in the heart of Kastraki town, this little taverna is situated right underneath the cliffs of Meteora. The views from the terrace are fantastic and the food is absolutely delicious.

Fortounis Tsipouradiko

This restaurant is located in the main street in the Kalambaka town. It offers small Greek meze type meals which is a change from the typical taverna fare. It was packed with locals on a weekend evening so you know it’s good.

Where to stay in Meteora

Meteora is not an actual town in Greece. It’s just the name of the area that encompasses all of the historical monasteries, mountains, and beautiful terrain that you have seen. The towns nearby to Meteora are  Kalambaka  and  Trikala.

Kalambaka is the main town at the base of Meteora where you will find all the grocery stores, shops, restaurants, hotels, bars etc. It’s not particularly charming but it is also not that busy. It was mostly destroyed during WW2 and even the “old” part of the town is relatively new.

Trikala is located further up the mountain and is about half way between Kalambaka and the monasteries of Meteora. It is a charming old town that did not get destroyed during the way. It is very small, with only a thousand residents. It’s home to many tavernas and bakeries which service the many tourists that visit the area.

I chose to stay in Kalambaka in the old part of town. I got an apartment that had dead on views of the mountain side and the Holy Trinity Monastery. It was very close to the walking path to hike up to that monastery which I took advantage of during my stay.

Best time to visit Meteora

Meteora is open year round. The monasteries have different opening hours depending on the time of the year but it is open for you to visit regardless. Different times of year will mean different types of views and landscapes. Most people visit in the summer as it is warmer.

However I think the best times to visit Meteora are the shoulder seasons of April to May, and September to October. Not only is the temperature more bearable,albeit still warm, but you won’t see huge crowds of people. I was told thst Meteora has become a sort of mega tourist spectacle in recent years and I don’t doubt it.

I’ve also seen some otherworldly pictures of Meteora in the winter months with snow on its peaks which would just be out of this world. I wouldn’t hesitate to visit Meteora in the colder months as well.

How many days do you need in Meteora?

Meteora is not a crazy big place where you need a week to explore. It’s essentially just a 5km stretch of road with 6 different monasteries along the way.

I think for the average tourist, you won’t need more than two days to explore all the monasteries. Of course, if you are a devout Orthodox Christian or just revel in Medieval monasteries, then you may way to spend more days here and really explore the monasteries.

However, I think two nights is more than enough. You can spend one full day visiting 3-4 monasteries, and the following morning visiting the remaining. You could feasibly visit  all the monasteries in one day if you started early.

Of course, if you want to just relax, soak in the views, and enjoy your time, then 3-4 nights is perfectly acceptable as well.

When are the Meteora monasteries open?

There are six monasteries in Meteora for you to visit. They all have different opening hours and days that they are open. Some monasteries are closed on certain days so you will want to plan your trip accordingly. Thankfully, no monasteries are closed on two consecutive days so if you have at least two days, you’ll be able to see all of them.

Keep in mind that they can change their hours without notice at any time. On my visit, the most iconic Holy Trinity monastery was closed due to construction!

So without further ado, here are the opening hours for each monastery. The three bold entries are my favorites and must sees.

The hours are slightly modified during the Winter months (November 1 to March 31):

How much does it cost to visit Meteora

The cost for visiting the monasteries is 3€ each. This means if you want to visit all the monasteries, you will need to pay €18 in total. Payment is cash only so make sure to visit the ATMs in the main town.

Each ticket is only good for the day so if you really like a monastery and want to return be next time, you’ll have to pay again.

Dress code in Meteora

The dress code in the Monasteries of Meteora are the following:

• Women must wear dresses and cover the shoulders
• Men must wear pants

If you don’t have a dress, the monasteries usually have clothes you can wrap around your legs so you won’t be turned away. For men, I saw some people wearing shorts at times so it’s not as strictly enforced. Nonetheless, make sure to wear pants (even if the weather is hot!)

Best Photo Spots in Meteora

Meteora is the ultimate photography lovers spot. Literally everywhere you look is a picture beckoning to be taken. Whether it’s taking a photo of the surrounding landscape, the beautiful views of Kalambaka town, the dramatic meteors, or the monasteries themselves, you’ll have no shortage of options.

I consider myself a photographer but not a professional one. Nevertheless I still found a few photo spots better than others.

• The road between Vaarlam monastery to holy Trinity has a few very amazing view points. At the beginning of this road you will have a beautiful view of the Rousseanou monastery surrounded by other mountain peaks.

Further down this road are the two sunset spots. These viewpoints face west and is where everyone comes to enjoy the sunset. From here you can see the sun magically setting over the mountains and with three monasteries in the distance. You can come here and take pictures at all times of the day however.

After this, you’ll come close to the Holy Trinity. Before you get there, there are areas where you can get a picture looking dead on to thr monastery perched up on the rock like it’s floating in space. I think this is actually the most unique and stunning part of Meteora. It was certainly the first picture I saw that really drew my attention.

Can you fly a drone in Meteora?

The best photos and videos must be from drones in my opinion. There’s no other way to really capture the breathtaking and unique beauty unless it’s from a drone that can fly into the air above it.

Drones are totally allowed in Meteora and there are no restrictions (yet). I flew my drone on multiple occasions. I even flew the drone from inside the monasteries and no monks gave me a hard time.

The Monasteries of Meteora

Those six monasteries, in which monks and nuns still live today, are open to visitors. The monasteries are closed again and again, but all on different days, so that some of them can certainly be visited during a visit.

If you are short on time and can’t (or don’t want to pay to) visit all the monasteries, here are my favorites in order.

• Holy Trinity

Great Meteoron

• St Stephen’s
• Agios Nickolas

Of course these are just my opinions and you might feel differently. If you have the time, just go ahead and visit all of them and decide for yourself!

One thing to note is that the bathroom situation in the monasteries are old school drop toilets. Some are nicer than others but the only monastery with a modern toilet is the Varlaam monastery. If you are scared of drop toilets like many Westerners are, then plan accordingly!

With an area of ​​60,000 square meters, Metamórphosis is now the  largest monastery on the Meteora cliffs  . The monastery, which was built in 1334, lives up to its name “Floating”, because until 1923 it could only be reached via rope ladders or a net that could be pulled up.

A stone staircase with 143 steps now leads into the interior of the monastery to make it easier to visit the founding monastery. The  hermit cave of the monastery founder Athanasius  can still be seen at the monastery entrance and in the monastery church you can admire ornate frescoes from 1552.

Agia Triáda – Holy Trinity Monastery

The spectacular Holy Trinity Monastery was built in the middle of the 15th century and, like the Megálo Metéoro, could only be reached via winches and rope ladders. Here, too, a staircase was built in 1925, which requires quite a bit of stamina.

In addition to the  centuries-old frescoes  , the main church of Agía Triáda is impressed by a  silver-  wrapped  gospel  from 1539. The real reason for the worldwide fame of the monastery, however, is its role in the  James Bond film  “On a Deadly Mission” as the fortress of the villain .

Agios Stéphanos – St Stephen’s Nunery

The first hermit allegedly lived on the spectacular cliff as early as 1192 and the monastery was founded around 1400. His nickname “The Royal” recalls the visit of Andronikos III, King of Byzantium, who was so enthusiastic about the hospitality of the monks that he made generous donations to them.

Agios Stéphanos has been a women’s monastery since 1961, can be reached by car with almost no sidewalk and is primarily worth seeing because of its mother-of-pearl decorated church lecterns.

A monastery was built here in 1518 after a hermit had lived on the rock for many years. At that time, the place was not accessible to women. Today it is the  second largest of the Meteora monasteries  and the only monastery church with two domes. Remnants of the elevator, which consisted of rope and net, can still be seen.

Varlaam is probably my favorite monastery. It is the most beautiful in my opinion as the monastery grounds are superly maintained. To me, it’s the “poshest” monastery in Meteora with the most upscale decorations. You can definitely tell this monastery is well funded by the Orthodox church.

Agios Nikólaos Anapavás

The monastery merges directly into the rock and is one of the most impressive buildings on the Meteora cliffs. It can be reached via the nearby village of Kastraki. The complex is, so to speak, the  crypt of the Meteora monasteries  , because the skulls of former monks are kept in the Church of John the Baptist. The frescoes and paintings are also worth seeing.

It is not known exactly when the Rousánou Monastery was founded. Its peculiarities are also in the artistic wall paintings. The monastery was renovated in the 1950s and is now exclusively reserved for nuns. Rousánou offers a spectacular photo opportunity from a rock in the valley.

Most of the remaining monasteries have fallen into ruins. Also worth mentioning are  Filakaé Monakón  , according to tradition, a rock cave into which monks who did not  obey  the monastery rules were sent, and  Moní Ypsilotéra  , also called Kaligráfon because of the manuscripts he wrote there. The ascent to the uninhabited monastery ruins is very difficult and in some places dangerous. Entering the ruins is prohibited due to the risk of collapse.

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ATHENS TO METEORA: By Bus, Train or Car Rental (Fares and Schedule)

I first learned about Meteora through a viral Facebook video featuring the monasteries perched on towering rock formations. Immediately, I checked the location of this UNESCO Heritage site. Without checking its accessibility, I immediately assumed that it would be hard to reach given its lofty location in Thessaly, Greece.

When we finally had the opportunity to visit Athens, I didn’t think we could include Meteora in our itinerary. “Too far,” I said to myself. But then the great people working for the Municipality of Athens invited us to go on a day trip to other parts of the country. Imagine my surprise when I saw that Meteora was part of that list. Apparently, this heavenly destination isn’t too hard to reach.

It takes 4 to 5 hours to travel from Athens to Meteora. While it is possible to do a day tour from the capital, we still recommend that you stay overnight, at least, to be able to maximize your time.

There are two towns lying at the foot of the Meteora cliffs: Kalambaka and Kastraki . Between the two, Kalambaka is bigger and has more lodging, dining, and tour options. To get to Meteora, you need to find your way to either of these villages. But in this post, we’ll be focusing more on Kalambaka, since it’s a more ideal base. In Greek, the official name of the town is Kalabaka, but it is also often called Kalambaka or Kalampaka. Don’t be confused. They all refer to the same town.

Anyway, here’s how to get from ATHENS TO METEORA by bus, train, taxi or private car.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

It’s easy to reach Meteora by train. Kalambaka has its own train station and is connected to Larissa Train Station, which is the central railway station in Athens.

• Take the Metro Red Line to Larissa Station. If you’re coming from Syntagma, it should be easy because Syntagma is also along Red Line, just four stations away. Fare: €1.40. If you’re coming from Athens Airport, you must first take the Blue Line to Syntagma Station and then transfer to Red Line to Larissa Station. Fare: €10.
• At Larissa Station, board the train to Kalambaka. There is only one direct train per day, scheduled to leave Athens at 08:20am and arrive in Kalambaka at 01:18pm. Fare: €18.3 – €25.6. If that’s not an option for you, you may travel to Paleofarsalos first then switch to another train bound for Kalampaka. See the schedule below.
• Alight at Kalambaka Station. This is the last stop.
• From Kalambaka Station, take the bus to Meteora. From mid-March/April to mid-November, there’s a bus leaving Kalambaka at 9am, 12 noon, and 3pm. Fare: €1.80 one-way, €3.30 round trip. No public buses in winter. You can either drive, hike, or join a tour.

Athens to Kalambaka Train Schedule

As mentioned, you can either take the direct train or connect in Paleofarsalos. As of October 2018, here are the details. The yellow-highlighted row is the direct trip.

However, some dates may have fewer trains so double check the official website when planning you trip.

Kalambaka to Meteora, Meteora to Kalambaka Bus Schedule

Below is the bus schedule from Kalambaka to Meteora. This only applies to the period of March 16 to November 30. The bus will stop in all six monasteries. No bus service in winter.

Fare: €1.80 one-way, €3.30 round trip.

Kalambaka to Athens Train Schedule

The yellow-highlighted row is the direct trip.

There are no buses that go directly to Meteora or Kalambaka. Instead you will have to travel by bus to Trikala, the city closest to Meteora, and then transfer to another bus to Kalambaka.

• Make your way to LIOSION 260 BUS STATION. This is the terminal where buses bound for Trikala are stationed. It’s at 260 LIOSION STREET. – If you’re coming from other parts of the city center, you may take the metro. The nearest Metro Station is Kato Patisssia Station, which is 900 meters away. If you take the metro, make sure you have enough time allowance for walking. You can also just take a cab. – If you’re coming from the airport, board City Bus X-93 and alight at Liosion Street Bus Station. Travel time: 55 minutes.
• Take the bus bound for Trikala or Kalambaka. A bus leaves at 7:00am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 6pm, and 9pm daily. An extra 5pm trip is added every Friday and Sunday. Travel time: 5 hours.
• In Trikala, transfer to another bus bound for Kalambaka. There’s one every hour. Travel time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. Total fare from Athens to Kalambaka is €31.50.
• From Kalambaka Station, take the bus to Meteora. From March to November, there’s a bus leaving Kalambaka at 9am, 12 noon, and 3pm. Fare: €1.80 one-way, €3.30 round trip. No public buses in winter. You can either take a cab instead or just hike, which is great and very scenic.

Athens to Kalambaka Bus Schedule

As of October 2018. Fare to Trikala, €30.50. Fare to Kalambaka, €31.50.

Below is the bus schedule from Kalambaka to Meteora. This only applies to the period of March 16 to November 30. The bus will stop in all seven monasteries. No bus service in winter.

Kalambaka to Athens Bus Schedule

By Car Rental

For those who prefer to drive, a lot of options await you in Athens. Several car rental companies operate in Athens. Some of the most well-known and best-reviewed brands are Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Europcar, and NU Car Rental.

Standard price range for a compact or economy car is from €25 to €35 per day. You’ll find cheaper options, sometimes as low as €7 per day, excluding taxes and other fees. But read their reviews first before making a reservation.

The most challenging part of the journey from Athens to Meteora is actually the first hour, when you’re trying to get out of the city. Traffic can be terrible and unpredictable so it is best to avoid rush hours. In general, leave in the early morning, while it’s still dark to avoid the traffic build up.

Once you’re out of the city, everything will be a breeze. Hit highway E75 until you reach Lamia. From here, you will be negotiating Domokos mountain range, so expect lots of curves. Just follow the road signs and you’ll be passing through Karditsa, Trikala, and Kalambaka.

By Taxi or Private Car Service with Driver

If you’re visiting Meteora on a day tour from Athens and you’re celebrating something special like honeymoon or anniversary, you might want to consider Welcome Pickups. At €490, it’s definitely on the pricier end of the spectrum, but it comes with full service.

You’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel by an English-speaking driver. The car has its own free wifi. You’ll also make a brief stop at the Leonidas of Sparta and the 300 Monument along the way. After visiting the monasteries, you’ll also get to visit Kalambaka Town for your lunch stop.

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Meteora Hike – How to Hike to All Meteora Monasteries

Visiting Meteora is one of the highlights of any trip to Greece, and one of the best things to do in the area is to see the monasteries. The buildings towering on top of steep rock formations are a fascinating sight that you won’t forget anytime soon.

When visiting Meteora, you have the choice between multiple modes of transport. You can rent a car, join a tour, get an electric bike for a day or hike to the monasteries. We think that all of those ways are fantastic for seeing the area, and we went for a sunset tour ourselves when we arrived.

The next day, though, we opted for a hike. Hiking Meteora on your own is an excellent way of getting around if you don’t like driving and don’t want to be tied down to the schedule of a tour. It’s also the most budget-friendly way of seeing the monasteries.

To help you organise your hike, we have put together this Meteora hiking guide. Here, you can find a map as well as a detailed description of all segments of the walk. This way, you will arrive at all of the six monasteries without getting lost.

Are you short on time and need to make some last-minute bookings before your hike? Then check out the following resources that will help you:

Best hotels in Kalambaka :

• Toti Boutique Rooms (budget, close to the main road and rates include an amazing breakfast)
• Alexiou Hotel (mid-range, located along the main road where you find all the bars and restaurants)
• Divani  Meteora (comfortable hotel with both an outdoor and indoor pool and a spa area)

Book your train ticket to Kalambaka on Hellenic Train .

Want to join a guided hiking tour ? Then check out this 5-hours hiking tour , which takes you away from the crowds and allows you to enjoy Meteora with a guide.

Book the sunset tour we mentioned earlier and watch the sun go down behind the rocks of Meteora.

Table of Contents

Meteora Hike

Brief overview.

Here is the essential information you need to know about this hike:

• Length : Around 16 kilometres
• Time required : At least four hours (more if you want to stop in all monasteries)
• Difficulty : Medium
• Must-take items : Water and appropriate clothing for the monasteries
• Good to know : Every monastery is closed on one day of the week, so you need at least two days in Meteora if you want to visit all of them.

We estimate that the minimum time you need for the Meteora hike is around four hours. For us, it took much longer as we visited five out of the six monasteries and took hundreds of photos.

Ideally, you have the whole day for this hike. That way, you can explore the monasteries and enjoy the views along the way.

Before you set out on this hike, make sure to check the opening hours . You can find six operating monasteries in Meteora, all of which you can visit.

However, each of them has one closing day (sometimes even more in winter). That means that you will likely not be able to visit the interior of all of them. Plus, some of them close early, even in summer. We had to run to Great Meteoron because it closes at three o’clock, and we then only had five minutes to look around.

Also, make sure to take appropriate clothing. Men need to cover their knees, while women have to cover their shoulders and must wear skirts that end below the knees. Trousers are not allowed for women, although it is acceptable to wrap a skirt around them.

I carried a light wrap skirt like this one with me, which I could easily take in my backpack when I didn’t need it.

Meteora hiking map

Below, you can see a Meteora hiking trails map for reference. Make sure to download it or take a screenshot before you leave Kalambaka.

In the mountains, you might not always have phone reception. Therefore, we also recommend downloading a map of the area. You can do this via multiple apps, but we personally love maps.me. The app is great for offline maps, and it also includes all the hiking trails you need for the Meteora hike.

By the way, do you want to know which other apps we use on our travels? Then check out this post about our favourite travel apps and resources !

#1 Kalambaka – Agia Triada

You start your Meteora hike in the town of Kalambaka. From here, you can already see St. Stephen’s Monastery. If you look carefully, you will be able to spot a white cross on the rocks left of St. Stephen’s. This cross is part of Agia Triada, the Monastery of the Holy Trinity.

You will go to Agia Triada first.

In Kalambaka, head to the northern tip of the village. At the end of the road Kleisouras, past the bed and breakfast Koka Roka, you can see signs indicating a hiking path to Agia Triada. Follow these signs.

At first, the path climbs gently. You’ll eventually reach a big boulder, where the path splits. Make sure to stay on your right. Along the way, you should see signs of the Meteora Trail Run.

The path eventually gets steeper as you enter into the forest. If it feels like you’re never going to reach the top, don’t worry. This is the hardest part of the hike, and it will get better.

Once you reach the top, the path joins the road going to Agia Triada. If you want to visit the monastery, you need to turn right here. Otherwise, go left to reach the main road.

Around 100 steps take you up to the Holy Trinity monastery. In front of the building, you can find a bench where you can rest after the ascent.

Congratulations! Once you’ve made it here, you have completed the most challenging part of the hike. From here on, it’s going to get easier.

#2 Agia Triada – St Stephen Monastery

If you have decided to visit Agia Triada, you need to go down all of the stairs and climb up the path on the other side to reach the main road.

From here, turn right and walk along the main road. You will have to walk along this road for most of the time while hiking in Meteora. Greece has lots of fantastic hiking trails through the forest, but the terrain around the monasteries is so rough and steep that you will only find the asphalted road here.

At least, it is wide, and the cars slow down when they see you.

In fact, we enjoyed walking along the main road. The asphalt is comfortable to walk on, and there were lots of incredible viewpoints along the way.

At the end of the road, you will reach the Monastery of St Stephen. If it’s open, we highly recommend that you go inside. Both the garden and the church are stunning.

The St Stephen Monastery is one of two nunneries in Meteora (the other one is the Monastery of Rousanou), and the nuns often walk around the complex. They also have a small gift shop where you can buy souvenirs.

If the monastery is open, you will see a truck in front of it, selling drinks and snacks. If you need a break from your hike, this is an excellent opportunity to get a cold drink.

#3 St Stephen Monastery – Rousanou Monastery

From St Stephen, turn around and walk back the way you came.  You will soon pass Agia Triada on your left. Continue along the main road, but make sure to also take lots of small breaks during this hike. Meteora is stunning from all angles, so it pays off to turn around from time to time to take a look at the view.

After a while, a road branches off to your right. Do not follow this road, as it will take you back to Kalambaka. Instead, continue straight to get to Rousanou Monastery. Another road will fork off on the right, which takes you to the neighbouring village. Once again, continue straight along the main road.

After a while, you will see a large rock on your left. Many people call this “Sunset Rock”, as it gives you the perfect Meteora view at sunset. But even during the day, the view is fantastic, with the rock formations rising in front of you.

From here, you can see all four monasteries that you haven’t visited yet. The closest one is Rousanou, also called St Barbara.

If you keep walking along the main road, you will soon reach the upper access to the Rousanou monastery. Turn left if you want to visit it. You’ll need to walk downhill through the forest for quite some time, but it is well worth it.

After you’re done with your visit, return to the main road to continue hiking the Meteora monasteries.

#4 Rousanou Monastery – Varlaam Monastery

It is time to visit our favourite monastery in Meteora. Keep walking along the main road until you reach the next crossroads.

The road to the left takes you down back to Kalambaka, but you don’t want to go there yet. Instead, continue right along the mountainside (and refer to the Meteora hike map above to make sure you’re on the right path).

From here, the road continuously climbs up until it reaches Varlaam. The monastery entrance is on the left, and you’ll have to climb some steps to get there.

For us, Varlaam was one of the main highlights of hiking Meteora. Greece is full of fantastic monasteries and churches, but we especially loved Varlaam with its gardens and the view of the Monastery of Rousanou.

Plus, you can learn lots of interesting bits about life in the monasteries here. Did you know that the giant barrel inside Varlaam was for storing water? The area is very dry, so having enough to drink was always a concern. You can also see a net here, which, in former times, was used for lifting up both people and items to the monastery.

In front of Varlaam, if the monastery is open, you can find a truck that sells snacks and drinks. We had lunch here, and this is a great spot to take a break.

Once you’re done, head back to the main road.

#5 Varlaam Monastery – Great Meteoron Monastery

The next segment is one of the shortest while hiking the Meteora monasteries. From Varlaam, you only need to follow the road for a little while until you reach the Monastery of Great Meteoron.

We ran out of time, and Great Meteoron was about to close, so we ran this segment. Yes, it might be short, but it was extremely exhausting, so make sure to manage your time better than we did!

Once again, you need to walk down and climb up some stairs to reach the Great Meteoron Monastery. Inside, make sure to stop by the kitchen to get an idea of how life must have once been in these monasteries.

Once you’re done here, it’s time to get back to the main road. The parking in front of Great Meteoron is another location where you might find a truck selling drinks and snacks, so take a break if you need one, as the next segment will be long.

#6 Great Meteoron Monastery – St Nicholas Anapausas Monastery

From the Monastery of Great Meteoron, it’s time to start hiking down. Backtrack past Varlaam until you reach the crossing with the road from Kalambaka. Here, you need to turn right (once again, look at the Meteora hiking trail map above if you’re unsure).

As you walk along the main road, you will come past the Rousanou monastery. The building’s lower access is from this road, so if you haven’t visited it yet and still want to go, this is your last chance.

After a few turns, you eventually reach the St Nicholas Anapausas Monastery. This monastery is the smallest one, and only one monk lives here. We, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to visit, as we were running out of time, but we heard that it is well worth it.

#7 St Nicholas Anapausas Monastery – Kalambaka

It’s time to head home. You could follow the main road to get back to Kalambaka, but we recommend that you take the Meteora hiking trails that disappear into the forest opposite the Monastery of St Nicholas Anapausas.

These trails take you into the forest and along a backroad and are much nicer for walking.

After a short while, you reach the village of Kastraki. You can find lots of restaurants and cafes here, so this is a great place to have a drink after your hike.

From Kastraki, you need to follow the main road to get back to Kalambaka. The walk is relatively short, and you should have no trouble getting back to where you started.

Practical information

What to take on your meteora hike.

Fortunately, in Meteora, trekking is relatively easy. You’ll walk along an asphalted road most of the time, and you can buy drinks and snacks at some of the monasteries.

Therefore, you don’t need to take much. Here are some of the items we recommend:

• Good walking shoes (can be trainers, no hiking boots necessary)
• Water (take enough, in case the shops are closed)
• Appropriate clothing
• Camera or phone
• Meteora trail map (make sure to download a decent map of the area before you leave)

One word about appropriate clothing: In the monasteries, men need to wear trousers that end below their knees. For women, the rules are even stricter. They need to cover their shoulders, but they also have to wear a long skirt. We, therefore, recommend taking a very light cloth or sarong that you can wrap around your hips when you enter the monasteries.

We did the hike in trainers which worked well for us. If you are interested in hiking more or you prefer wearing hiking boots, check out suggestions of the best affordable hiking boots .

Before Covid, the monasteries used to hand out appropriate clothing at the entrance. This was not the case anymore when we went, so we highly recommend taking your own.

Meteora hiking tours

We think that it’s pretty easy to hike to all of the Meteora monasteries by yourself. However, we understand if you prefer to go with a guide.

In fact, we booked a sunset tour for our first evening and loved having a guide. It was great to be with someone who knew the region and could tell us more about the monasteries.

If you’re looking for a hiking tour, we can highly recommend Visit Meteora. We did the sunset tour with them and were very satisfied. Plus, their hiking tour doesn’t follow the above itinerary and instead goes past some lesser-known sights.

Click here if you want to learn more and book your tour!

How to get to Kalambaka

To hike Meteora, you first need to get to Kalambaka.

No matter where you’re coming from, you have the option of going to Kalambaka by car. The roads are pretty well-maintained, and you should have no problem coming here.

If you’re coming from Thessaloniki or Athens, one of the most comfortable ways of travelling is by train. You can check the schedule and buy your train tickets on Hellenic Train .

Another option is to take a bus. We found the bus system in Greece a bit confusing to navigate, as every prefecture has their own bus company. Generally, they do not seem to know about any connections with buses from other companies, so you will have to ask at your hotel or google a bit yourself.

Visit Meteora has a great interactive map that you can look at to see bus connections with some places around the country.

Where to stay in Kalambaka

Kalambaka is a small town, so it doesn’t really matter where you stay. Everything is easily accessible on foot. Our hotel was close to the main street, which we loved as that’s where you can find most of the cafes and restaurants.

Here are some recommendations to help you book your trip:

Budget : We stayed at Toti Boutique Rooms, and we can highly recommend them. Our room was spacious and clean, and we even got an upgrade to have a view of St Stephen Monastery from our balcony! One of the highlights of Toti is the breakfast. The owners prepare far more food than you could ever eat, and everything is delicious. It’s a great way to start the day and to prepare for your hike. Click here to check availability now !

Mid-Range : At the end of the main road, you can find Alexiou Hotel. All rooms here have private balconies, and once you go outside, you can find lots of cafes and restaurants nearby. The hotel consistently receives excellent ratings for its location and excellent breakfast. Click here to book your room now !

A bit more comfort : Do you want to relax by a pool after your hike? Then you should book the Divani Meteora Hotel. The hotel even offers a spa area with a sauna and a steam room. Plus, the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Click here to see pictures and book your stay now !

We hope you found this description of the Meteora hike useful. As you can see, you don’t need to rent a car or join a tour to visit all of the monasteries in Meteora.

Leave us a comment below if you have been to this beautiful corner of Greece or are planning on going soon. We’d love to hear from you!

Also, make sure to check out some of our other articles about Greece and travelling which will help you plan your trip:

• How to spend a perfect day in Athens
• See the highlights of Greece in one week
• Paros was our favourite Greek island. Find out why while looking at the best Paros Instagram spots.
• How many days in Santorini do you really need?
• Coming from overseas? Then check out our long-haul flight essentials you need to take

Until your next adventure!

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Ilona is a world traveller passionate about sharing her experiences and giving advice to fellow travellers. Having visited over 70 countries, she is always excited about her next trip.

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Great post. Do you think 2 nights in Meteora is enough time for hiking the monasteries? Thanks

Yes, that should be enough time to hike the monasteries. If you have more time that’s great, because then you can see more, but for the hike, you only need a full day.

Thank you for the beautiful photos and information about the the Meteora hike. I wish that the photos included the road you mention, showing how you reach the top of the rock where the monasteries are located. It is not visible in any photos, and I can’t imagine where it is. Also, you mention going up some steps. In the photos, there are many steps visible, which look very steep, of course. I’m 72 years old. I really need more information and corresponding pictures showing how one reaches the top of what appears to be an incredibly high location. Can you share more pictures of the ascent and how long it takes to get to the top?

You have made me so happy! I hate tours and I love to walk. This sounds like the best hike ever. Thank you for the very detailed instructions. I am so looking forward to doing it.

Thank you very much! We hope you have a great time.

Wow! Thanks for the great detailed hike info!

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THANK YOU! This page was so very helpful!!

Great info. Where is the best tavern to eat traditional food?

This looks fantastic. How is it in the winter? Is there enough daylight to complete this hike in December?

Hi Kelly! We did the hike in October, and checking online sources, in December sunset should be 40 minutes earlier. Despite this, I believe the hike is still achievable. We took our time exploring some of the monasteries, so I believe it’s still feasible. You may need to pick up the pace or begin the hike earlier, and be sure to keep track of time.

Muy buena y completa descripción Ilona! Por lo que veo en gran parte del trayecto van caminando por la ruta de los autos. Es seguro transitar por ella? Gracias por el posteo

Hola Alfredo! La ruta la hicimos por carretera, y es bastante segura. Había más gente andando también. Aunque sí es cierto que hay algún tramo donde había que andarse con más cuidado, en general no tuvimos problema.

Hi, have you got the route on GPX file please?

Hi Lucas! I’m afraid we don’t, but you should be able to download the route in KML format and use a KML to GPX converter. To do that, go to the map in the post and click on the full screen button. Then, click on the three dots menu, and there should be an option to download it in KML. Maybe that could work?

Planning to go in September. You say it took you much longer as you visited five out of the six monasteries. About how many hours did it take you and at what time did you start? Thank you!

Hi Andie! It took us around 8 hours, as we took lots of breaks along the way to take hundreds of photos. We left at 8:30 am and were back in town at 5 pm. However, if you don’t spend hours taking photos, you can do this hike much faster, in 4 or 5 hours.

Thank you for this very informative DYI hike w/ map.

Outside of this hike, would you recommend anything else to do in town? Any other spots to site see?

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How To Get From Athens to Meteora

Updated On: December 4, 2023

Written By: Pavlos Inglesis

You basically have 4 ways to get from  Athens to Meteora :

• Public Intercity Train from Athens to Trikala (4.5 hours) and then a second train from Trikala to Kalabaka (20 minutes), and then a taxi to actually take you to the monasteries/rocks or just walk for about 1 hour (uphill)
• Licensed Guided Tour that includes all train tickets from Athens to Trikala and Kalabaka, a tour guide that will explain to you what you are seeing and will also provide a minibus to take you to Kastraki village and the best locations for views on the rocks
• KTEL Bus from Athens to Kalabaka and then obviously a taxi to the monasteries or just walk (more than 1 hour hike)
• Rent a car and drive there yourself.

I honestly believe that the  Best Way to get from Athens to Meteora is by booking a licensed guided tour . This can also be done as a day trip to Meteora from Athens, but get prepared for a long, tiring, but totally rewarding day because Meteora is deep in mainland Greece, and it’s a 5-hour train trip.

• Best Day Trip from Athens to Meteora: From Athens – Meteora Monasteries Bus Tour and Hidden Caves

A guided tour from Athens to Meteora, like this one , will take you on a train from Athens Train Station (“Larissis Station” or “Larissa Station”) to Trikala Town. From there, you will get another public train to Kalabaka town, which is next to the rocks. A licensed guide will escort you anywhere during the train trips. Once you get to Kalabaka, private minibuses will pick you up and drive you to the best places on the monasteries and the local museums on the rocks. They will explain everything to you, along with many stops to the best spots for photos and views.

However, you have a few other options to get to Meteora from Athens, if you want to explore the area by yourself. These are all the options:

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• Best Hotels in Delphi
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It goes without saying that whatever I am detailing in this post also applies to the return trip from Meteora to Athens.

Keep reading…

ATHENS TO METEORA TIPS:

• You basically have  4 options  for getting from Athens to Meteora:  by a guided bus tour , by KTEL Bus , by public train or by renting a car and driving yourself.
• Best way To get From Athens to Meteora:  by a licensed guided bus/train tour ( like this one )
• There are no flights to Meteora; the only way to get there is by bus, car or train. The place is up on the mountains in a remote area of mainland central Greece.
• Official Website for KTEL Buses to Meteora:  KTEL Trikalon
• Bus from Athens to Meteora : you have to take it from the Liosion KTEL Bus Station ( on Google Maps ), which is unfortunately the worst in the country and really dated without any modern facilities
• Meteora on Google Maps
• Meteora’s name obviously comes from the way these billion years old rocks are standing like “meteors”
• Between April-October,  there are usually 6 KTEL Buses from Athens to Meteora and from Meteora to Athens
• How long is the bus ride from Athens to Meteora:  the bus ride takes about 5 hours
• How long is the train ride from Athens to Meteora:  the train ride takes about 5 hours in total (to Kalabaka town)
• How much does it cost to take a bus from Athens to Meteora: the bus ticket on KTEL Buses costs 29 euros but this changes so always check the official website of KTEL Buses Trikalon
• How much does it cost to take a train from Athens to Meteora: the train ticket to Meteora costs 30 euros (to Kalabaka final station) but this may change so always check the official Hellenic Trains website .
• Where to Get the bus from Athens to Meteora: you have to go to the Liosion Bus Station in Athens (NOT TO BE CONFUSED with the Kifisos Bus Station; it is a different Bus Station)
• Where to Get the train from Athens to Meteora: you have to go to the “ Larissis Train Station ” in Athens (or “Larissa Station”)
• Best Way to Get From Athens Airport to KTEL Liosion Bus Station is by taking the Express Bus X93 ( see its route here )
• Best Way to Get From Athens Airport to Athens Train Station (Larissis Station) is by taking the “Proastiakos Train – Suburban Train” ( see its route and timetables here ) ; it’s a 45 minutes train from the airport
• Where to Book the Bus from Athens to Meteora: from KTEL Trikalon website

Ok, so let’s see all the options from Athens to Meteora (that also apply to the return trip from Meteora to Athens):

ATHENS TO METEORA BUS (KTEL)

You can certainly take the Ktel bus to Trikala from Athens instead of the train (and then another bus to Kalabaka town).

In order to get the KTEL Trikalon Bus to Meteora you have to go to Liosion Bus St Station in Athens ( on Google Maps ). This is not the same station as Kifissos Bus Station and it’s in a different location.

HOW TO GET TO “LARISSA” ATHENS TRAIN STATION (ALSO CALLED “LARISSIS”)

Larissis train Station (just “Athens” stop on train routes is very easilly accesible from the airport with the suburban train (“Proastiakos”) and you can check the timetables here.

You can also get to the Larissa Train Staion by metro line 2.

HOW TO GET TO LIOSION BUS STATION

You can reach the Liosion Bus Terminal in Athens either with a bus or Metro Line 2 from Syntgmuare.

• From Athens International Airport: you have to take the X93 Express Bus

You can also see the details of X93 Route and timetables on the official website of Athens Buses.

• From Syntgma Square to Kifissos Bus Station: you have to take the Metro Line 2 (M2) and then walk for about 15-20 mins

You basically have 4 options to get from Athens to Meteora: by a guided tour or by a KTEL bus or by the public train or by renting a car and driving there. I recommend taking the guided tour because you will experience the whole trip in a much better way.

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR GREECE:

🛏️ Booking.com   is the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete  (more than Airbnb!)

⛴️ Ferryhopper   is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all greek islands

🏺 Get Your Guide  has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

🚙 Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options

✈️ Booking.com Flights  has all the available flights to and from the greek islands

🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com's large and safe platform of available certified drivers

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Santorini:  Canaves Oia Suites Mykonos:  Cavo Tagoo Mykonos Athens:  Coco-Mat Athens Crete:  Domes Noruz Chania Hotel  Corfu:  Corfu Imperial Resort Rhodes:  Casa Cook Rhodes

Delphi: Amalia Hotel

Meteora: Doupiani House

TOP RATED VILLAS IN:

Santorini:  Villa Aura

Mykonos:  Villa Evi

Athens:  Acropolis Villa

Crete:  Cavo Dago Villa

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🌄 Santorini Sunset Cruise

🥾 Samaria Gorge Full Day Hike

🏛️ Acropolis Guided Tour

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My name is Pavlos and I come from the beautiful country called Greece. You can follow me on Twitter here and I will try to do my best to respond to you personally. This is my blog to help you plan your next holidays to Greece and the greek islands, whether it is Santorini, Mykonos, Crete or even Athens. I was actually born in Athens, and I have been to almost all of the greek islands and pretty much most of mainland Greece. I know the ins and outs of my country and hopefully, my travel blog will help you make the most of your holidays.

Booking.com  i s the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete  (more than Airbnb!)

Ferryhopper    is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all greek islands

Get Your Guide  has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options

Booking.com Flights  has all the available flights to and from the greek islands

Santorini Secrets

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Highway collapse in China leaves at least 24 dead

BEIJING — A section of a highway collapsed early Wednesday in southern China , sending cars tumbling and leaving at least 24 people dead, according to state media.

Eighteen cars fell down a slope after a 58.7-foot-long section of the highway collapsed, according to a statement from authorities in Meizhou city in Guangdong province. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. (2 p.m. Tuesday ET).

The death toll had risen to 24 by Wednesday afternoon local time, according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency.

Parts of Guangdong province have seen record rains and flooding in the past two weeks, as well as hail. Some villages in Meizhou had flooded in early April, and the city had seen heavy rains in recent days.

Witnesses told local media they heard a loud noise and saw a hole several yards wide open up behind them after driving past the section of the road just before it collapsed.

Video and photos in local media showed smoke and fire at the scene, with highway rails slanting downward into the flames. A pile of blackened cars could also be seen on the slope leading down from the highway.

The ground beneath the highway appeared to have caved in, along with the section of the road that had broken off.

Rescue workers have taken 30 people to the hospital, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The Associated Press

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Airbnb offering exotic experiences from a paris museum to the house in ‘up’ — some for free.

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In a mad mix of game-show glitter and marketing flash, Airbnb is offering customers a chance to spend a night in a Paris museum, stay in houses mocked up to look like movie settings, or sleep surrounded by eight Ferrari racing cars.

Those and other chimerical listings are part of a splashy new campaign by the short-term rental giant, which wants to portray itself as a company that sells experiences and not just  alternatives to staying  in a hotel.

CEO Brian Chesky announced the 11 temporary listings — Airbnb is calling them “icons” — at an event Wednesday in Los Angeles.

The San Francisco company hit upon the idea for the publicity caper after seeing the response to a Barbie-themed house in Malibu, Calif. , it listed last year in conjunction with a hit movie about the Mattel fashion doll. The formula is the same: link a promotion to a pop-culture product, celebrity or event.

And don’t be boring.

“We’re not historically known for making anything. We’re a platform,” Chesky said in an interview. “I think it’s really great to show what it looks like when suddenly you can step into our vision and our imagination. I think it’s going to keep Airbnb top of mind.”

Unlike the rental platform’s typical  listed properties , Airbnb is practically giving away its “icons.” Chesky said the company will invite people to fill out a profile and explain why they want one of the listings, and Airbnb will pick about 4,000 winners over the course of the year. He said winners will be able to book the featured properties or events for free or at prices under $100.

One of the exotic opportunities is an overnight stay at the  Musee d’Orsay in Paris . Chesky said Airbnb recruited Mathieu Lehanneur — he  designed the torch  for this summer’s Paris Olympics — to convert the clock room atop the museum into a bedroom.

“By the way, the torch is in the bedroom with you,” Chesky said. “You get the entire museum all to yourself. This is literally night at the museum. It gets even better because you step outside the bedroom on to the terrace, you have the single best seat in the house for the opening ceremony” of the Olympics, which will take place on the River Seine.

For those preferring a US setting, Airbnb is listing a house in New Mexico detailed to look like the one from the 2009 Pixar-Disney animated film, “Up.” Chesky said Airbnb paid to build the house from scratch and attach 8,000 balloons to mimic the helium-filled ones the central character in the movie uses to make the house fly.

The Airbnb version won’t fly, but Chesky said guests will be able to watch a crane lift the New Mexico house 50 feet off the ground.

“I think we maybe won’t have them inside the house when we lift it, just for safety reasons,” he said.

Some of the listings will be one-time events, including the sleepover at the the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, a living room performance by rapper Doja Cat, and an evening with comedian Kevin Hart in his members-only lounge. The “Up” house and a mansion in New York made to look like the one in “X-Men” Marvel comics will be available for three or four months. A Minneapolis house owned by Prince that was featured in the film “Purple Rain” will be available for a year, according to Airbnb.

The company won’t say how much it spent to acquire rights, dress up the properties, and pay the celebrities involved. Airbnb made a $4.8 billion profit last year and ended 2023 with nearly $6.9 billion in cash. Enough to repeat the “icons” campaign.

“These 11 are the beginning,” Chesky said. “We have a lot more under development.”

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Cicada map 2024: Latest on Broods XIII and XIX as sightings are reported across the South

Are you ready?

Over the next few weeks, trillions of cicadas will emerge from underground in over a dozen states. Periodical cicadas, the insects famous for their huge numbers and loud noise, are emerging in two groups, or broods: Brood XIX and Brood XIII .

The two broods, which have not emerged together in 221 years, will appear throughout the Midwest and Southeast. For some, the conditions are already right and the cicadas are beginning to emerge, when they will breed, make noise, eat and eventually die .

Have any cicadas emerged in your state yet, or will they soon? Here's what you should know.

Beware the cicada killer: 2024 broods will need to watch out for this murderous wasp

Are cicadas already out in 2024?

Adult periodical cicadas from Brood XIX have already been spotted by users in multiple states across the Southeast, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Missouri according to Cicada Safari , a cicada tracking app developed by Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Through Cicada Safari, users can confirm their sightings of cicadas with pictures, look at a map of other cicada sightings, join a leaderboard with other users and learn more information about cicadas.

2024 cicada map: Check out where Broods XIII, XIX are projected to emerge

The two cicada broods are projected to emerge in a combined 17 states across the Southeast and Midwest, with an overlap in parts of Illinois and Iowa. They emerge once the soil eight inches underground reaches 64 degrees, expected to begin in many states in May and lasting through late June.

The two broods  last emerged together in 1803 , when Thomas Jefferson was president.

What is a brood?

According to the  University of Connecticut , broods are classified as "all periodical cicadas of the same life cycle type that emerge in a given year."

A brood of cicadas is made up of different species of the insect that have separate evolutionary histories. These species may have joined the brood at different times or from different sources. These different species are lumped together under the brood because they are in the same region and emerge on a common schedule.

Why do cicadas make so much noise?

You'll have to thank the male cicadas for all that screeching. Male cicadas synchronize their calls and produce congregational songs, according to  Britannica , which establish territory and attract females. There is also a courting call that they make before mating.

Unluckily for us, the 13-year and 17-year brood cicadas  are the loudest , partially because of the sheer number of them that emerge at once.

In China, Elon Musk scores wins on the path to self-driving cars

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• Tesla aims to being 'Full Self-Driving' system to China soon
• Key questions remain over whether Tesla can transfer data from cars in China overseas
• Such data transfers are pivotal to Musk's ambitions to develop fully autonomous vehicles
• Signs of progress in China send shares up more than 16%

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Reporting by Florence Lo and Daniel Leussink and Liam Mo in Beijing, Zhang Yan in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Sarah Wu and Aditi Shah; Writing by Brenda Goh and by Noel Randewich in Oakland, Calif.; Editing by Sonali Paul, Mark Potter, Brian Thevenot and Sharon Singleton

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Daniel Leussink is a correspondent in Japan. Most recently, he has been covering Japan’s automotive industry, chronicling how some of the world's biggest automakers navigate a transition to electric vehicles and unprecedented supply chain disruptions. Since joining Reuters in 2018, Leussink has also covered Japan’s economy, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, COVID-19 and the Bank of Japan’s ultra-easy monetary policy experiment.

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US judge blocks some North Carolina restrictions on abortion pill

A federal judge has struck down parts of a North Carolina law restricting patients' access to the abortion pill mifepristone, which has become the subject of legal battles nationwide.

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Explore the Monasteries and Beyond: Unforgettable Experiences in Meteora

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Visit Meteora is a group of travel professionals and local destination experts who have combined their talents, knowledge, resources, and travel passion to become the pioneers of Destination Management Company in Meteora Greece. Our company offers the most exclusive mixture of enjoyable and memorable travel experiences both in the Meteora region and also around it, ranging from soft adventures and sight-seeing tours to day trips and transfers in one of the most breathtaking places of Greece!

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Frequently Asked Questions

You may have a few questions about your upcoming trip to Meteora, so we’ve collected and answered the most important ones for your convenience. Or, if you want to know more about our processes and payment details, check out our FAQ page .

What are the visiting hours and days of the monasteries

The opening hours often change from year to year, so beware when relying on information provided in guidebooks or general web sites. We will try to do our best in keeping the timetable of visiting times and days of monasteries up-to-date. Check the opening hours of Meteora monasteries  here .

What is you cancelation policy?

We offer a very flexible cancelation policy which is Full Refund Available up to 24 Hours Before Your Tour Date for the day trips and 48 hours for the multiday tours. 

How many monasteries can I see in one day?

Before we answer this question we have to specify that everything should be taken into account. It depends on how fit you are, the transportation and time available, weather conditions ect. Most people are able to visit between 2 to 4 monasteries per day. The few visitors who visit all 6 of them within one day are missing out a magical, more slow-paced adventure. We recommend at least 2 days stay in Meteora.

Is there a dress code to enter a monastery?

Appropriate clothing for everyone is required to enter the monasteries. Sleeveless clothing and shorts over the knee for men are prohibited and you‘ll be denied access if dressed that way. For ladies skirts and shawls are available to borrow or buy at the entrance of monasteries in case they don’t have such clothing to cover themselves.

How many stairs for each monastery?

The Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Great Meteoro are the less accessible (over 300 steps). Rousanou, Varlaam and Saint Nicolaos have an average number of 140. Some of the monasteries apart the staircases requires uphill walking in paved paths. The Holy Monastery of St Stephen is connected with a walking bridge, thus making it more accessible than any other monastery.

What is the Entrance fee for the monasteries?

In each monastery there is an entrance fee of 3 euro per person. Kids up to 12 years old they don’t pay entrance fees in the monasteries.

Should I take the car to drive to monasteries or is better using other means?

There are many reasons not to want to drive while exploring Meteora — like if you’re not confident driving on the opposite side of the road, your spouse is a terrible copilot and you just want to have fun instead of arguing; or if you want to enjoy the scenic road and not to feel stress about the narrow and curvy roads. Lack of parking space outside the monasteries is especially frequent phenomenon during the pick period in the summer. So by joining one of our tours might save you a lot of headaches and unwanted distractions.

Can i find parking for my car outside the monasteries?

During the pick period from May till late October be prepared to face issues with finding parking space or brief traffic jams outside the monasteries of Great Meteoro , Varlaam , and Agios Stefanos ; even more during the rush hours between 10:00 am to 14:00. This happens due to the limited width of the roads and the limited parking spots available outside those monasteries.

If possible, try to be outside those monasteries way before 09:00 am to avoid any big crowds. Or you might consider leaving your car in the hotel and join one of the many tours offered by the locals.

Are pets allowed?

Pets, with the exception of service dogs, are not allowed inside the monasteries.

Is there any lab at town to have a PCR test?

If you are looking for PCR test or antigen test you can find few labs at Kalampaka town, located few meters away from our offices. For more details come by our office or send us an email or use the instant messenger. 

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