Perched on the peaks of towering limestone pillars formed millions of years ago, the monasteries of Meteora view is hauntingly enchanting.
Constructed during the Middle Ages, Meteora is a marvel of human creativity. The Greek word meteora means “suspended in the air,” and this phrase aptly describes the otherworldly Meteora view.
Originally there were 24 uniquely different Byzantine monasteries; today only six remain, inhabited by 60 monks and nuns, and are living museums housing fascinating historical relics. The Meteora complex is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Experiencing the Meteora view is hands down one of the best places to visit in Greece.
Getting To Meteora
There are many ways to get to Meteora. You can take a bus or book a guided tour from Athens. You can take a train from Athens, Halkidiki, or Thessaloniki to the nearest town, Kalabaka.
We got to Meteora via rental car as part of our road trip through mainland Greece (we also did a catamaran island hopping cruise), and we highly recommend it. We were amazed at the fantastic infrastructure which put the U.S. to shame. The route we took was from Athens, around eastern Greece, to Kalambaka, then on to Lefkada, Corinth, the Peloponnese Peninsula, and Crete before beginning our exploration of the Greek Islands (Mykonos, Ios, Paros, Koufonisia, Santorini, and Corfu).
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Meteora has been on my bucket list for many years and was one of the main highlights of our Greece road trip.
Meteora at a Glance
- Established between the 13th and 14th centuries
- UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988
- Filming location for the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, HBO series Game of Thrones The Eyrie location
- Germans occupied Meteora during World War II and burned down some of the precious artifacts
Best Photo Locations In Meteora
Meteora is full of stunning photo spots to get your Instagram shots of the high rocks and the monasteries.
We actually went back twice, during different times of the day, because (1) it got too crowded and hot in the early afternoon, and (2) it looked different at sunset.
If you have your own car (and this is one of the reasons we recommend it), you can literally pull over almost anywhere to get a photo of a breathtaking view. One of the most popular spots is Psaropetra, where sunsets are considered among the most beautiful in the region.
Visiting Meteora
Visitors are allowed to visit six of the monasteries. However, if you only have one day, you’ll likely have to choose which one(s) you want to visit.
- Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas
- Roussanou Monastery
- Agios Stefanos
- Varlaam Monastery Meteora
- Great Meteoron
- Holy Trinity Monastery
We only went inside one, but we drove around a lot (visited twice), and experienced the magical views, which was enough for us.
6 St. Nicholas Anapausas Monastery
The relatively small and often overlooked Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas was first inhabited in 1191-1192 and reconstructed in 1545.
The 14th-century monastery is decorated with some of the finest ancient frescoes in Meteora, depicting Biblical scenes and 16th-century monastic life.
The road from Kastraki takes visitors to the base of the peak where 150 steps lead to the monastery entrance.
5 Rousanou Monastery
Lower in elevation than the other six major monasteries in Meteora, the Holy Monastery of Rousanou, aka Agia Barbara, is one of the easiest to access. 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.
Founded in the mid-1500s, is dedicated to St. Barbara, a woman who dedicated her life to Christianity and was subsequently beheaded by her father. Gruesome scenes of martyrdom are depicted in the main chapel’s well-preserved frescoes
The monastery became a nunnery in 1988.
4 St. Stephen Monastery
The only monastery in Meteora visible from Kalambaka is the Holy Monastery of St. Stephen. Because it is easy to access, reachable by a bridge from the main road, St. Stephen’s is the most crowded.
Built in the 1400s, it became a pilgrimage site when Byzantine emperor Andronicus Paleologos visited.
The present church houses the skull of St. Charalambos, which is believed to have miraculous healing powers. The monastery was heavily damaged by bombing during WWII, but it has been restored and currently hosts a nunnery.
3 Varlaam Monastery
Varlaam, dating back to the 14th century is the second largest of the Meteora monasteries. It was founded by a monk named Varlaam, and he was the only one to live on the rock. After his death, the monastery was abandoned until 1517.
Varlaam offers a look into the difficulties the monks encountered when building their hilltop sanctuaries. It took 22 years to hoist all the building materials to the summit by rope. Until the 20th century, the only way for visitors to reach Varlaam was to be hoisted up as well.
Today, 195 steps carved into the stone cliff face lead visitors to the summit where they can view the frescoes that cover the walls of the main chapel.
2 Great Meteoron Monastery
The oldest, largest, highest (2000 feet), and considered the most precious of the Greek Orthodox Meteora monasteries, the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron dates back to the mid-1300s. It was founded by St. Athanasios, whose disciples included exiled royalty. The monastery is so large that it looks like a fortified village and is usually the first one to visit if you are on a tour.
Visitors will have to climb more than 300 steps to the summit to gain access to a grand complex that includes a large 14th-century church, catholicon (the part of the monastery where monks pray) a small museum, a wine cellar and a shaded courtyard.
Orthodox Christians were widely persecuted during the Ottoman Empire, and the site contains many exhibits that reference the cruelty they endured, such as paintings of martyrs being tortured and shelves displaying the skulls of the monastery’s former occupants.
1 Holy Trinity Monastery
Featured as a setting in the 1981 James Bond thriller “For Your Eyes Only,” the Holy Trinity Monastery is perhaps the most iconic and recognizable of the Meteora monasteries. Dating back to 1475, Holy Trinity is probably the most visually dramatic, perched upon a vertical column of rock. It is also said to be the inspiration for The Eyrie of Vale from the HBO hit series, Game of Thrones.
Despite all the superlatives, it’s the least visited monastery because of the difficulty to access. However, this is the monastery we chose to enter… and the access nearly killed me. The structure sits atop a lone rocky pinnacle, and in the scorching sun, it’s a challenge, to say the least. From the parking area, we first descended 140 steps down a steep ravine and then climbed another 140 vertical, muscle-burning, uneven steps up to reach the monastery.
I had to stop once because I was feeling dizzy (note: I had just eaten a very heavy meal of mousaka which probably contributed) to my duress.
The climb was worth it because it provides the most majestic views. Inside, the domed chambers and fully restored 17th-century frescoes were intriguing.
Where to Stay
Kastraki is an idyllic town just two kilometers away from Meteora. The tiny picturesque town is also a conservation village where no new buildings can be built.
Surrounding the town are two massive rocky pinnacles. We had a gorgeous view of these from our balcony, especially spectacular when they seemed to glow at sunset. (Full transparency, I photoshopped a few of the wires out.)
We stayed in a small, cozy, inexpensive hotel called Guest House Lithos in the center of the traditional village of Kastraki. The rooms were basic, but the views, location, and family owners were really nice.
What to Eat
My first moussaka! YUM!
We absolutely loved the small restaurants within a few minutes’ walk from our hotel.
Taverna Kalami (2 minutes walking from the hotel). It was only around 11 am and they were not open for lunch. However, they saw us and opened. It’s a tiny family-owned restaurant, where I had my first experience with moussaka, made with layers of aubergines or potatoes, tomato meat sauce, and topped with creamy béchamel sauce. I was in love! When I told the waitress how much I loved the meal, she told me (a few times) “mama make.” We ordered a few different sides of grilled goat cheese, and salads that were also good. A truly delicious and inexpensive meal – one of the best that I had on our month-long stay in Greece, and in fact, I had moussaka every chance I got (although none were as good as that first time).
Protato Taverna (2 minutes walking from the hotel). We had dinner here and loved it. Again, the manager (who may have been the owner) was so friendly. We had souvlaki – small pieces of spiced lamb grilled on a skewer, which was delicious.
I also had baklava – a delicious traditional dessert made of layers of crispy golden brown phyllo, filled with chopped walnuts and garnished with honey syrup.
Also, make sure you try ouzo – a dry anise-flavored aperitif and Greece’s signature spirit.
Conclusion
View from the top of Holy Trinity Monastery
The ethereal Meteora view is unmatchable — one of the best in the world. While it is a little off-the-beaten-path for most people visiting Greece, it is totally worth the effort to get there.
Photos by Kary Kern.
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About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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