Practical information for visiting Meteora

In the previous articleprevious article about the Meteora site and its incredible monasteries. Here’s some practical information to help you prepare for your visit to Meteora.

How long does it take to visit Meteora?

The Meteora site, grandiose as it is, is located in an area no larger than 8 kilometers in diameter. There are six monasteries to visit, all within easy reach of each other.

This proximity makes it easy to visit three or four monasteries in a day. We don’t advise you to do any more, at the risk of a certain weariness (which would be a shame!).

In just one day, you can you can enter the magic of this site. Nevertheless, we warmly recommend spending one or two nights on site to admire the place at dawn and wander through this forest of rocky peaks steeped in history and faith. At the foot of these giant cliffs, it takes time to appreciate the exploits of these isolated hermit monks …. yet capable of building architectural feats.

If you can, take the time to hike to Meteora. The natural setting is grandiose. Sure, it’s a climb… but it’s one you’re sure to remember for a long time.

Discover the site’s monasteries in our article.

Guided tours of Meteora

On our visit, we didn’t take a guide or public transport, as we were motorized and had taken the time to find out everything we needed to know beforehand.

However,if you want to visit Meteora, it may be worthwhile taking aguide. We haven’t tested the tours listed below ourselves, but they look interesting.

• A day of sightseeing by bus From Kalambaka, the bus takes you from one monastery to another, allowing you to visit 3 of the 6.
• One-day express from Athens: personally, I think it’s too little too late, but if you’re really pressed for time it’s possible (train + bus). Suggested by various sites such as Manawa and Get Your Guide . Some, like Get Your Guide, have French guides.
• For sports enthusiasts: a great hike in the Meteora mountains, to discover the hermit caves or a in the footsteps of the first hermits . Or by electric bike a sunset ride…. nice! And why not discover the Meteora with a climbing session?
• Finally, Mireille Leonidakos offers two 2- or 3-day tours combining Delphi and Meteora, with transport, accommodation, half-board and English-speaking guide, from Athens, at very reasonable rates (from €217). Find out more here.

Some tips and practical information for visiting the monasteries of Meteora

• The approach walks are often difficult as you have to climb the rocky peaks. Staircases have been built, but they are steep and sloping. Don’t forget good shoes, sun protection and water. If you have difficulty getting around, we recommend the San Stefanos monastery (no steps), or the Roussano monastery (less steep approach).
• Women must wear skirts and cover their shoulders when visiting Meteora. Men must wear pants. If you don’t have the right outfit, the monks always provide clothes to wear over your own. So you won’t be refused entry, but be warned that sometimes you’ll have to pay for the clothes you borrow (especially at the grand Varlaam).
• Entrance to each monastery costs 3 euros for tourists and is free for Greeks. Bring some change for the entrance.
• There are no organized tours inside the monasteries, but the monks and nuns love to chat with tourists and explain the place to them. Many agencies in Kalambaka and Kastraki also offer organized tours of Meteora.

What are the monasteries’ opening hours?

How to get to the monasteries

By road to all the monasteries

• Or by bus “BUS METEORA, which passes through the village of Kalambaka, on Trikalon Avenue
• Or by car. Small parking lots have been set up around the monasteries. Please note that there are few spaces available in these parking lots during peak periods.

Numerous footpaths link the monasteries to one another. You can find a tourist map showing the trails at the Tourist Office or in all the hotels and B&Bs in the area. What’s more, walking is a very pleasant way to discover the site and appreciate its grandeur.

• 1st suggestion : shareez from Kastraki up the road to Agios Nikolaos, take the the path through the woods to Varlaam (it’s a climb), then take the road to Megalo Meteora or Roussano.
• 2nd suggestion From Kastraki go to the road to Kalambaka (the one that passes close to the rocks, not the one on the plain) and turnz on your left to join the road leading to the Panagia church. From here you have a superb view of the ladders and the monastery of Saint Anthony.
• 3rd suggestion :There are also walking tours offered by guides on the Manawa website. They take you from monastery to monastery, and sometimes to unexpected places.

Where to eat?

We recommend four tavernas that we have tried and enjoyed, but there are plenty more in Kastraki and Kalambaka. (see map below).

• Meteora Vavitsas tavern in Kastraki. The tavern serves a wide range of grilled meats. We ate excellent lamb chops (Païdakia). Price 24 euros for two people.
• Meteora tavern in Kalampaka. Home cooking. Take the house specialties, they’re delicious. Very friendly service.
• Taverna Gardena in Kastraki. More touristy, in the village center.
• Taverne Valia Calda: Small terrace – local Greek cuisine – excellent. For starters, we recommend smoked eggplant, feta cream, green bean salad from Grandma’s garden, and for main courses, trout from the monastery’s own recipe.

Caution: There are no cafeterias or restaurants near the monasteries. simply a foodtruck taken by storm. Calculate your travel and visit times carefully, especially if you’re on foot.

How about a break on the road to Meteora?

On your way back, you can make a short detour to Lake Plastiras. It’s like being in Switzerland! A lovely hike along the northern shores of the lake, opposite the island of Lake Plastiras. You can also eat in the many tavernas of Kalivia Filaktis.

Want to spend the night? Without hesitation, we recommend the Montanema Handmade Village hotel, located in the heart of the forest. A charming, peaceful hotel in magnificent surroundings. A guaranteed favorite!

Where to stay in Meteora?

All information on the following article .

For quick and easy access to the monasteries, we recommend staying in Kalambaka or Kastraki.

How to get to Meteora

• By train

A railway station is located at the foot of Meteora in the town of Kalambaka. It is also accessible via the d‘Athens (4h30), Thessaloniki (2h30), Larissa (1h30), Volos, and Trikala (15min) daily. You can view timetables and book tickets on the OSE website .

• By bus

KTEL buses run regularly from Athens (5h30), Patras, Thessaloniki (2h30), Ioanina (2h), Delphi, Volos (3h) and Corfu. You can view timetables and make reservations at KTEL Trikalon website .

• By car

The site is easily accessible from Athens (about 4 hours by road), Ioannina and Thessaloniki (approx. 2h30). It’s a superb, must-see stopover if you’re visiting northern Greece.

If you’re coming from Athens, we also recommend this, if you have the time, a one-day stopover at Delphi on the way to Meteora. Not only does this cut the journey, it also allows you to discover another absolutely magnificent site.

Sophie B.

Two interesting pages on Meteora: Infotourist Meteora – Opening hours by monastery

Meteora map with points of interest