Meteora

Somewhere between heaven and earth
Unesco has declared Meteora a World Heritage Site Lorenzo Spoleti
Today
11°
TUE
WED
THU
10°
FRI
Thrace region-id="pin-13"; Macedonia Macedonia Epirus Thessaly Sporades Ionian Islands Western Greece Central Greece Attica Peloponnese Crete Cyclades North Aegean Islands Dodecanese Dodecanese Karpathos Astypalea Tilos Sitia Faistos - Matala Patmos Kastelorizo Kasos Kos Leros Halki Rhodes Symi Sfakia - Loutro Rethymno Elounda - Agios Nikolaos Agia Galini Plakias Hersonissos - Malia Ierapetra Heraklion Chania Nisyros Ikaria Lipsi Tzia - Kea Thasos Samos Lesvos Samothrace Limnos Chios Kalymnos Paros Naxos Zante - Zakynthos Lefkada Corfu Santorini Milos Kythnos Kimolos Serifos Syros Sifnos Koufonisia Ios Kefalonia Mykonos Paxi Ithaca Arta Ioannina Tinos Parga - Sivota Metsovo Anafi Sikinos Folegandros Donousa - Iraklia - Schinoussa Antiparos Zagori Mountainous Arkadia Porto Heli - Ermioni Preveza Amorgos Andros Delos Messolongi Ancient Olympia Aegina Kythira Archea Epidavros Patra Nafplio Kardamyli Kalamata Ilia Corinth Western Messinia Kalavryta Elafonissos Nafpaktos Spetses Poros Hydra Alexandroupolis Pylos Mycenae Monemvasia Loutraki Piraeus Athens Arahova Xanthi Galaxidi Mystra - Sparta Mani Edipsos Delphi Chalkida Karystos Evia Skyros Vergina Alonissos Volos Karditsa Skopelos Skiathos Kastoria Thessaloniki Prespes Agios Athanasios Edessa Serres Veria Larissa - Tempi Elati - Pertouli Trikala Pelion Meteora Drama Ammouliani Mount Athos - Ouranopolis Nymfeo Mount Olympos Katerini Halkidiki Grevena Lake Kerkini Naoussa Kozani Kilkis Kavala Pella Lake Plastira
The pillars of rock known as Meteora, sculpted by prehistoric rivers and crowned by otherworldly monasteries, are monuments to the power of nature and faith

Meteora means ‘suspended in space’. Your first, second and third sight of these impossibly tall, vertical rocks will have you gasping in disbelief. But it’s not just the incredible geology that stretches your imagination. It’s the monasteries balanced on these pinnacles. 

How did they get there? Well, unbelievably, the monks who built them were the original rock climbers, lifting the materials up with pulleys, nets and their bare hands. Today’s rock climbers come to the site from the world over to pit themselves against these gigantic rocks. 

Unesco has declared Meteora a much-cherished World Heritage Site and the Greek state calls it a sacred spot, inviolate and immutable. But you’ll no doubt come up with your own adjectives.
 

What to do in Meteora

Stand in the shadow of stone giants and humble hermits

A forest of mind-bending stone monoliths rises perpendicular to the flat valley north of Kalambaka, south of Greece’s Pindus Mountains. Monasticism here began in the 11th century with the first hermits arriving in Thessaly from Mount Athos to retreat to niches in these heavenly pillars. 

In the 14th century, the Blessed Athanasios of Meteora founded the first monastic community here in the monastery of the Great Meteoron. Other monks followed from other corners of Greece, creating a total of 20 monasteries.
 

Pay homage to the monastic miracles of Meteora

At present, there are six active a monasteries and convents, which welcome each visitor to their lofty realms. These are Agios Nikolaos Anapafsa, Metamorphosis tou Sotiros or Megalou Meteorou, Varlaam, Roussanos, Agia Triada and Agios Stephanos. All the others, whether restored or abandoned, are empty.
 

Discover the thrill of a rock climber’s paradise 

In the early days of the monasteries, rock climbing was a necessity, not a sport. There was no other way to get to the top except by using ropes, nets, bare hands or long rickety ladders. Nowadays, the challenges of these divine columns attract international climbing enthusiasts. All the routes have been cut in the traditional way from down up. To the eyes of the uninitiated, they look impossible, some going virtually up to a height of 500m.

Rafting in the shadow of the extraordinary Meteora
 

Visit Kalambaka, the gateway to a higher realm

The town of Kalambaka opens the door to Meteora. The commercial and tourist hub of the region has lots of hotels, rooms to let and good restaurants. Take a stroll in the old part of town, called Spotos, which has been given a tasteful facelift. Don’t miss Greece’s only woodworking school and a traditional foundry, where you’ll find rare hand-crafted bronzeware.
 

Set out on some of Greece’s most striking hiking paths 

There’s no better way to explore these miracles of nature and human endeavour than hiking between the monasteries of Meteora? You can join a group through one of the many adventure companies in the area. Mountain biking is another enticing option.

 

Hidden gems of Meteora, Greece
 

Reenergise in the cosy village of Kastraki

By far the prettiest village in this beautiful area of Greece, Kastraki fits snugly at the base of the giant rocks and welcomes climbers, who can take their pick of cozy hotels, rooms in private houses and camping sites, tavernas and shops. Palio (Old) Kastraki has been declared a protected traditional settlement.
 

Visit the multi-arched bridge of Sarakina

Heading from Kalambaka towards Trikala, you’ll come to the historic hamlet of Sarakina 8km outside town. It’s worth the trip to see the largest stone bridge in Trikala prefecture, a famous six-arched edifice, built in the 16th century. It is one of the most interesting attractions in the area.
 

Explore the age-old Theopetra Cave

Just 4km outside Kalambaka, another surprising sight awaits you in the shape of an enormous cave, whose main chamber measures about 500 sq m. Scientists calculate that the formation of the limestone Theopetra (or god-rock) Cave occurred during the late Cretaceous period, 137 million to 60 million years ago. It was inhabited as early as 50,000 years ago.

Read More Read Less

FAQs about Meteora, Greece

The monastic complex of Meteora consists of monasteries built on extremely high and steep rocks, a seemingly impossible feat. The landscape is awe-inspiring. It is considered one of the most important monastic locations in Greece.

Some monasteries are relatively easy to access while others require you to climb quite a few stairs. Three out of the six monasteries have an average of 140 steps, whereas two have over 300 steps.

The two most popular places to stay in the area are the town of Kalambaka and Kastraki village.

Experience the best of Meteora

You pass along a deep gorge full of nature, admiring extraordinary-coloured water and plane trees

Rafting in the shadow of the extraordinary Meteora

Walk among the gigantic rock pillars of Meteora to enjoy truly breathtaking views

Exploring the hiking paths of Meteora

Travel ideas

Shining the light on stories
Acropolis of Athens

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece

Discover the World Heritage Sites of Greece: The Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Delphi, Ancient Olympia, Delos, Epidaurus, Aigai, Corfu Old Town, Medieval City of Rhodes and more
t’s impossible not to be amazed by the giant rocks of Meteora

9 awe-inspiring things to do in Meteora

Have you seen the epic Meteora monasteries? Well, what if we told you that visiting them was only the start of the things to do in Meteora? Here’s why.
Outdoor Activities in Corfu island

The 8 most popular outdoor adventures in Greece

If you love active holidays, you’ll adore outdoor adventures in Greece: Hiking, sailing, kayaking, biking… even skiing. If it involves mountain or sea (or both), you’ll find it in Greece.