All the insider tips you need to visit Meteora in Greece, plus an itinerary

While most people picture Mediterranean islands when thinking of Greece, there’s a whole section in the northwestern part of the country that’s equally gorgeous and worth a visit. I’m talking about Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring six historic monasteries perched on giant stone rocks. 

When you visit Meteora, not only will you get a better understanding of Greek culture and the Orthodox Church, but you’ll get to admire beautiful natural landscapes (and perhaps meet a few cats), plus you’ll explore a unique side of the country away from the Greek islands (note that there will still be tourists though, as Meteora is a very unique experience that attracts lots of visitors).  

So, let’s head slightly off the beaten path in Greece and discover all the things to do in Meteora in this guide below. 

Things to know about Meteora

• “Meteora” means “suspended in the air”.
• People visit Meteora for its notable monasteries perched on high pillars. There isn’t much else to do in Meteora, though the surrounding Thessaly region offers hiking trails, nature exploration, thermal baths, and waterfalls.
• Meteora’s monasteries are built on top of giant stone pillars made of sandstone and conglomerate. The stone pillars are believed to have formed over 60 million years ago, from the withdrawal of the seabed due to earth movements.  
• Construction of the monasteries in Meteora started around the 11th century, during the Byzantine era. 
• Monks built the monasteries high on the stone pillars to be closer to God. 
• For centuries, monks used scaffolds, ladders, nets, and baskets to access the monasteries, including for getting regular supplies. 
• The monasteries thrived during the 15th and 17th centuries, fading away afterwards due to raids by thieves and conquerors. 
• There were around 30 monasteries in Meteora, but only 6 are active today. 
• All six monasteries are connected by a paved road of approximately 5 km (3 miles), so you can drive right to the entrance of each monastery, though some might require some uphill climb or stairs to reach the top.
• Fun fact: Meteora was the filming location for a James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, and it was also used in a Game of Thrones episode.

When is the best time to visit Meteora?

The monasteries in Meteora are open all year round, allowing you to visit at any time; however, the landscape and climate will vary accordingly. 

The best months for visiting Meteora are during the shoulder season: 

• April and May (pleasant weather and fewer tourists before the summer crowds)
• September and October (mild weather and fewer crowds)

Avoid visiting Meteora in these months:

• June to August (summer months), as it will be hot and crowded
• November to March: It will be cold and possibly snowy, and the monasteries’ opening hours will be shorter.

Insider tips for planning your itinerary for Meteora

1. Don’t attempt a day trip from Athens

It’s best to spend the night near Meteora rather than attempt a day trip from Athens, as it takes about 4 hours one way (around 350 km or 220 miles). However, if you’re short on time and have no choice, here are the best day trips to Meteora from Athens. 

2. It’s not possible to visit all the monasteries in 1 day

Each of the 6 monasteries is closed on one day of the week, meaning it’s not possible to visit all the Meteora monasteries on the same day. 

3. Dress codes for men and women

Since monasteries are places of worship, it’s crucial to dress conservatively.

• Women must wear skirts that cover the knees and tops that cover the shoulders and don’t show cleavage. Pants, shorts, and tight clothes aren’t allowed.
• Men are required to wear long pants and T-shirts or shirts with sleeves.
• Sleeveless tops aren’t allowed for any gender. 
• Wrap-around skirts are available at most monastery entrances. 

4. Entrance fees

There’s an entrance fee for each monastery, about €5 each. Bring cash as they don’t accept card payments. 

5. Safety tips for visiting Meteora

• Wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip as the paths can be rocky, and you’ll be either climbing stairs or walking up steep pathways. 
• Bring water and sun protection, especially if you’re going in the warmer months.
• If you’re visiting in the winter months, wear appropriate winter clothes, including a winter coat, a hat, and gloves. It will be colder than you expect a Mediterranean country to be, as Meteora is elevated. 

6. How to make the most of your visit to Meteora?

• Start exploring as soon as the monasteries open. Most open around 9am. This isn’t to beat the crowds, because tour busses will be there by 9am too, but it’s more so to give yourself time to explore.
• If you want to avoid crowds, it’s best to visit Meteora in the shoulder or off-season.
• The monasteries are the least crowded during lunch hours from 12pm to 2pm, so aim to visit the most popular ones (e.g. Varlaam or the Great Meteoron) during that time.
• Check monastery schedules in advance, as they may change, especially during religious festivities such as Easter. Opening hours also vary from summer to winter months. 

7. How to get around the monasteries in Meteora?

The monasteries aren’t on standalone rock peaks; they are all connected by a paved road on which you can drive or walk. While renting a car is the most efficient option for exploring Meteora, you can also go on a tour bus, or take a private taxi from nearby towns like Kastraki or Kalabaka. 

Note that the public bus service to Meteora has been discontinued since 2024. 

Which monasteries should you visit in Meteora?

There are only 6 monasteries still in operation in Meteora, and they’re not all open on the same day; each one is closed on a specific day of the week. Therefore, the monasteries you can visit will depend on the days you’re visiting. 

Here’s a breakdown of the monasteries in Meteora

1. Great Meteoron 

The Great Meteoron is the largest monastery. There are three museums, an art gallery, and lots to explore. It’s usually closed on Tuesdays.

2. Varlaam 

Known as Iera Moni Barlaam in Greek, this is the second-largest monastery, featuring a small museum that showcases the history of Meteora, and is considered the most beautiful. It’s also the most visited and the most crowded. All the tour buses stop there, except on Fridays when it’s closed. 

Insider tip: this is the only monastery with a modern toilet. All the other ones have squad toilets. Remember to not flush toilet paper (or anything else) in any toilet in Greece, even the modern ones.

3. Holy Trinity 

The Holy Trinity monastery is the most photographed monastery in Meteora, and one you’ve likely seen advertised. It requires a bit of effort as there’s a long pathway and stairs to get to the top, but you’ll have a great view, though this is true of most of the monasteries. It’s usually closed on Thursdays. 

4. Roussanou

Roussanou is a nunnery with beautiful gardens, though you won’t have access to walk around the garden. It’s one of the least crowded monasteries as it’s not a popular spot compared to the others. It’s usually closed on Wednesdays. 

5. St. Stephen’s 

St Stephen’s is a nunnery and easily accessible, as there are no stairs to get there. It’s usually closed on Mondays.

6. St. Nicholas Anapfsas 

St. Nicholas Anapfsas is the smallest monastery and takes about a 10-minute walk uphill. The monastery itself isn’t the most spectacular, but the views make up for it. It’s usually closed on Fridays.

The ideal Meteora itinerary in geographical order

The top attractions in Meteora are the monasteries. But if you intend to explore the surrounding area (Kalabaka and Kastraki) and the Thessaly region, you will find small towns, waterfalls, hiking trails, thermal baths, and Byzantine architecture. Regardless, plan to spend at least 2 days in Meteora if you want to visit all the monasteries. 

Here’s the ideal itinerary for visiting the monasteries in Meteora in geographical order, if they were all open on the same day. 

1. Start your drive from Kalabaka town or Kastraki towards St Nicholas Anapfsas. Plan to spend about 30 minutes here. You will need about 10 mins to walk up, then another 10 mins or so to enjoy the views and take photos, and another 5 mins to walk back down. 
2. After St Nicholas Anapfsas monastery, head up to Rousanou and plan to spend about 20 minutes there. You will need about 5-10 minutes to get there from the street below. 

Note that there are no restaurants in between the monasteries. We ended up driving back to Kastraki town after Rousanou, had lunch at a restaurant called Qastiro Meteora, then drove to Varlaam.

Alternatively, you can pack a lunch and stop along the route to enjoy your meal. There’s a popular stop right across the street from Rousanou.

3. After Rousanou, drive up to Varlaam, the most popular monastery. The best time to visit Varlaam is during lunch hour, as most tour buses will take their group for lunch, and the monastery will be less crowded. Take about 1 hour to leisurely explore Varlaam.
4. After Varlaam, visit the Great Meteoron, and spend about 1 hour there. 
5. Drive back down but take the road on the left, and stop at the viewpoint. 
6. After the first viewpoint, continue on to the main observation deck for another spectacular view.
7. Head towards the Holy Trinity, and make sure to take a picture first from its viewpoint by the entrance. You’ll need about 1 hour for the Holy Trinity.
8. Finish off with a visit to St Stephen, where you can spend between 30 minutes to 1 hour, and drive back towards Kalabaka. 

Eco places to stay during your visit to Meteora

To visit Meteora without rushing, it’s best to spend the night in the nearby towns (there’s no accommodation in Meteora itself). 

The closest town is Kastraki, a small scenic village located right beneath Meteora. It has a few restaurants and is perfect for a quiet stay. 

The next town over is Kalabaka, a larger town close to Meteora, with all the necessary amenities (restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, pharmacies, etc.). 

Here are the best eco hotels near Meteora

• Heaven and Earth: a hotel in Kastraki, with local traditional architecture and all the luxury comfort you need
• Famissi Eden Hotel: a unique and elegant hotel with an outdoor pool
• Divani Meteora Hotel: where nature and spirituality blend perfectly, creating a warm and beautiful atmosphere

FAQs: visit Meteora

• How to get around in Meteora?

You can reach the main towns around Meteora by train or bus from other parts of Greece, but to go up to the monasteries in Meteora, you’ll need to rent a car or get a taxi, or take a tour bus. Alternatively, you can walk from the nearby towns of Kalabaka or Kastraki, or cycle. There are no public buses going up to the monasteries. 

• When is the best time to visit Meteora?

Avoid the summer months as they’re the most crowded. Winter will be cold and snowy, though this can create a beautiful landscape too. The best months to visit Meteora are in the shoulder season: April and May, or September and October.

• Can you see all the Meteora monasteries in one day?

It’s not possible to visit all the monasteries at Meteora in one day as not all are open on the same day. 

• How to visit Meteora from Athens?

It takes about 4 hours one-way to reach Meteora from Athens, hence day trips are not recommended. The best way to reach Meteora is to either drive from Athens, or take a train or bus and then get a taxi from the bus or train station.