Meteora
★ 4.9🇬🇷 MeteoraSuggested visit 1 dayBest season April to June and September to October, with mild weather
World HeritageReligious siteArchitecture
Monasteries perched on top of rock pillars hundreds of metres high, among the most striking Orthodox sites anywhere.
Overview
On the Thessalian plain in central Greece, dozens of sandstone pillars rise abruptly, six of them crowned by monasteries. Monks climbed up from the 14th century to escape conflict, originally using rope ladders and baskets; stone steps were cut only in the 20th century. Six monasteries remain open, holding fine Byzantine frescoes, and the site joined the World Heritage List in 1988.
History
Founded from the 14th century, with more than twenty monasteries at its peak; the 16th-century Cretan school frescoes survive, and the site was inscribed in 1988.
Highlights
- •Great Meteoron Monastery
- •Varlaam Monastery
- •The rock of Holy Trinity
- •The Byzantine frescoes
Practical tips
- •Dress codes are strict — women need long skirts
- •Monasteries close on different days; check before going
Practical information
- Best time
- April-June, September-October
- Tickets
- About EUR 3 per monastery
- Opening hours
- Roughly 9:00-17:00 (each closes on a different day)
- Local food
- Greek grilled meat, tiropita, olives
- Getting around
- About five hours by train from Athens to Kalambaka, or 4.5 hours by car.
- Visa
- A Schengen visa is required; apply about one month in advance.
Traveller reviews
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