Are you planning to visit Meteora soon? If yes, here are 10 tips for visiting Meteora that will definetely help you plan better your trip! But first, let’s start with some interesting facts about this magnificent place!
Table of Contents
Some History
Suspended in the air”, the meaning of the Greek word Meteora, describes perfectly what you will discover in this exceptional place of Greece! Unique gigantic rocks with wonderful landscapes will definitely amaze you. On the top of multiple rocks, Greek Orthodox monasteries were built since the 12th century; making it one of the most important destinations for pilgrimage in Greece and an ideal site to discover the Byzantine culture! However, each year, more than 30 million visitors from all around the world go to this magical place to explore it!
In 1988, Meteora monasteries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List! Nowadays, only six of the twenty-four monasteries built are active and inhabited with around 50 nuns and 17 monks: the monastery of Saint Stephen, the Great Meteoron Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, the monastery of Varlaam, the monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas, the the monastery of Rousanou, and the monastery of the Holy Trinity.
In order to visit these monasteries, you will obviously have to climb up! But don’t worry, the way is organized with multiple stairs and alleys
1. How to get to Meteora?
- By car: you can drive from Thessaloniki (230 Km) for 3 hours or from Athens (360 Km) for 4 hours.
- By train: from Athens, you can take a direct train from the Train Station (Larissa Station) to Kalabaka train station. From Thessaloniki Train Station (Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos), you can take the train to Kalabaka via Palaiofarsala (you have to change trains in Palaiofarsala; the waiting time is around 10 mins).
- By bus: the bus station in Athens is located near Kato Patissia (green line) station. From there, you can take the bus to Trikala, the main city near Kalabaka and Meteora. Afterwards, from Trikala you can get the bus to Kalabaka. From KTEL Thessaloniki, you can also take the bus to Trikala then a second bus from there to Kalabaka.
2. How many days in Meteora and where to stay?
It is possible to visit Meteora in one day but you won’t probably have the time to visit all of the monasteries. It is recommended to stay there for one night, so you will have plenty of time to explore this fantastic place. Note that all accommodations are located in Kalabaka or Kastraki; these are the nearest two towns to Meteora.
3. How to get around Meteora?
It is not possible to visit Meteora’s monasteries and to enjoy the fantastic landscapes by foot. Therefore, it is crucial to rent a car or a motorbike to move around. Another option is to book a tour guide (usually it costs around 25 euros for a half-day). You can find collective tours for hiking, e-biking, biking, climbing rocks but also private tours and photography tours! Most of the organized tours will pick you up from your hotel and drop you back.
4. When to visit Meteora?
Meteora is indeed a top destination for tourists, you will see plenty of tour buses there, especially during summer; so it is really recommended to start your day early before the monasteries become very crowded! Another option is to visit Meteora from March till mid-June and from September till mid-November when there will be less tourists; and it is also the best time to visit taking into consideration the hot weather during the high season!
5. How much is the entrance fee for the monasteries?
The entry fees to each monastery is 3 euros per person, so you will pay 18 euros if you visit the six monasteries. The entrance is free for kids under the age of 12. The entrance fees are totally worth it for both the monastery and the churches where you will find priceless old Byzantine wall paintings!
6. What are the opening times of the monasteries?
The monasteries aren’t open all week, each one has its own opening days and timetable! Don’t forget to check the schedule before going there! Here is a table that sums up what you need to know:
| Monastery | Opening time | Closed on |
|---|---|---|
|
Holy Monastery of Varlaam |
09:00 to 16:00 |
Fridays |
|
Holy Monastery of St. Stephen |
09:00 to 13:30 & 15:30 to 17:30 |
Mondays |
|
Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron |
09:00 to 15:00 |
Tuesdays |
|
Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas
|
08:00 to 16:00 |
Fridays |
|
Holy Monastery of Holy Trinity |
09:00 to 17:00 |
Thursdays |
|
Holy Monastery of Rousanou |
09:00 to 17:00 |
Wednesdays |
WINTER SCHEDULE-FROM November 1st to March 31st
| Monastery | Opening time | Closed on |
|---|---|---|
|
Holy Monastery of Varlaam |
09:00 to 15:00 |
Thursdays&Fridays |
|
Holy Monastery of St. Stephen |
09:30 to 13:00 & 15:00 to 17:00 |
Mondays |
|
Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron |
09:00 to 14:00 |
Tuesdays,Wednesdays&Thursdays |
|
Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas
|
09:00 to 15:00 |
Fridays |
|
Holy Monastery of Holy Trinity |
10:00 to 16:00 |
Thursdays |
|
Holy Monastery of Rousanou |
09:00 to 14:00 |
Wednesdays |
7. What to wear in Meteora (dress code)?
Meteora monasteries are one of the most sacred places in Greece; therefore, a specific dress code must be respected while visiting. Women should wear long skirts below the knees or long dresses and they should cover their shoulders. If you are wearing something else, monasteries provide long wrap skirts for free at the entrance; which you must return at the end of your visit. Men should wear long pants and cover their shoulders as well; shorts are not allowed.
8. Is it allow to take pictures in Meteora monasteries?
It is forbidden to take photos and videos inside the churches of the monasteries; you can only take pictures from outside.
9. Where to eat in Meteora?
Pack water and snacks before you start visiting the monasteries since you can’t find any restaurants at the top of Meteora and near the monasteries. However, you may find small kiosks that sell small snacks, soft drinks and souvenirs before the entrance of some of the monasteries. Restaurants are located in Kalabaka and Kastraki, the two closest towns to Meteora.
10. Quick tip
There are plenty of spectacular view points while driving to the top of Meteora and between the monasteries, so include in your schedule some breaks to enjoy the landscapes and maybe to have a photoshoot! Watching the sunrise and the sunset from these locations will take your breath away!
Did you know? Some scenes of the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only, were filmed in Meteora!
So are you going to add Meteora to your bucket list to live this unique experience?
Let us know in the comments below which of our tips for a trip to Meteora you find the most useful!
Would you like to explore the highest mount in Greece, also known as the Mountain of Gods? Check out our ultimate guide to Mount Olympus!