Meteora Monasteries

Near the town of Kalambaka, huge pillars of rock rise from the plain of Thessaly, and on their summits monks built monasteries from the 14th century onwards. Six are still active, and all six welcome visitors.

The Great Meteoron, the largest, has a museum of monastic life; Varlaam and Roussanou are reached by steps and little bridges; and St Stephen's, run by nuns, needs almost no climbing. The viewpoints over the rocks are especially beautiful at sunset.

Meteora is four to five hours from Athens by road or train, so we suggest an overnight stay. Women should wear skirts below the knee (wraps are lent at the entrances) and men long trousers, and each monastery closes on one day of the week.