Meteora monasteries – the miracle of Greece. Few kilometers northwest of the town of Kalabaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora are rising from the plains of Thessaly been one of the most amazing places in Greece. Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with the breathtaking landscape reaching heights of more than 600 meters, it was formed one of the most important monastic communities of Greece. The Greek word Meteora means “suspended in the air” and this phrase aptly describes these remarkable Greek Orthodox monasteries.
Meteora is a great place to experience , a spectacular landscape and byzantine monasteries perched on top of steep rocks that house priceless artifacts and wall paintings. Today only six monasteries are active with a small number of monks or nuns who reside on Meteora. In 1988, the Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network hosting some rare species of birds and flowers. As you approach the town of Kalabaka, the nearest big town near Meteora , and the picturesque village of Kastraki you will see a complex of giant sandstone rock pillars that climb up into the sky. On top of them you will spot the famous Meteora monasteries.
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Which Meteora monasteries to visit?
Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
The Great Meteoron, also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorfossis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and is the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. It is built on the greatest rock of the complex, the Platys Lithos or Playtlithos. It was founded little before the mid-14th century (around 1340) by a scholar monk of Mount Athos, Saint Athanasios Meteorites. The monastery has a pleasant courtyard and there are many amazing frescoes to see. Probably one of the most interesting parts of the monastery…
The Varlaam Monastery is named after the first monk who built the first church on the rock. This was in 1350 and Varlaan built three churches, a room for himself and a water tank. Unfortunately no other monks joined him, after his death the site was abandoned for 200 years. In 1517 two monks from Ioannina, Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades , re-founded the monastery. Nowadays the monastery can be reached by a bridge and has a small museum, there are a lot of impressive 16th century paintings to see as well…
The Rousanou Monastery was built in 1545 by Maximos and Ioasaph of Ioannina, it is unclear who the actual monastery is named after, but it is dedicated to St.Barbara. Like other monasteries at Meteora the Roussanou monastery was looted during the Second World War. The monastery is reached by a bridge that has some dramatic drops. Nowadays the Monastery is run by nuns. The monastery is located on the way from Kastraki to Meteora between St. Nicholas Anapafsas and Varlaam monastery…
St. Nicholas Anapafsas monastery was founded in the 14th century and nobody is quite sure who the monastery is named after. This Monastery is most famous for its frescoes by the famous Cretan artist Theophanes Strelitzas in 1527. Some of these frescoes include the passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary praying. The monastery fell into disrepair and was completely abandoned for 60 years from 1900 to the 1960’s when the Greek government repaired the monastery…
The 14th century St. Stephen monastery is the closest monastery in Meteora to the main town of Kalabaka, and so the easiest to visit. St. Stephen monastery was founded by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene, who is thought to be a son of the Serb ruler Nicephorus II of Epirus, in 1400. The Katholikon at the monastery is dedicated to St. Charalambos who’s head it contains, as it is believed to prevent illnesses. Much of the monastery was destroyed during World War Two and the Greek civil war that followed. The monastery is run by Nuns…
You may recognise the monastery of Holy Trinity as it was used in the James Bond movie ‘For your eyes only’ Roger Moore scales the cliff face. Out of all the monasteries of Meteora Holy Trinity has the most dramatic location, the rock face is a sheer drop and the rock itself is a lot more slender. The monastery was built in 1458 and had many treasures, but most of these were looted by the Germans during the Second World War, most of the frescoes are from the 18th century…
Meteora Thrones is the leading travel service company in Meteora and the surrounding area, which has earned the trust and loyalty of visitors who want to organize in the best and most effective way their visit to Meteora and the Holy Monasteries.
We organize everyday tours with the goal to offer you the absolute and authentic Meteora experience with the best prices in the area. Enjoy with us the best panoramic and majestic views of your life. Our experienced staff and the “State of the Art” VIP Limo Mini bus we own guarantee an unforgettable, high quality, way to discover our unique place.
We also provide private tours with VIP services and personalized programs to enjoy the magic of Meteora in the maximum. Come along to make the tour of your dreams!
Maria our guide was fantastic - she has grown up in this area and was very informative about the history of tge rocks, nature and wildlife. Our morning hike was... read more magical and very therapeutic a truly memorable experience.
sarahjaneharris2022 April 20, 2022
Tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. We were surprised by how much we learnt about the history of the area. Each stop was timed just right for us... read more to ask questions and take photos. We had hired a car so we did consider making our own way around the monostries, but we are really glad we chose the tour instead.
chantalh314 August 27, 2022
The tour was very enjoyable and the monasteries were amazing. Our guide, Demetri, was very knowledgeable and funny. He spoke perfect Greek and English and had an answer to any... read more question that we had. The van used to drive us around was new and very clean. Overall, a great experience!
GeorgeVlog July 14, 2022
Excellent tour and Antonis was the best guide. He was very knowledgeable and went above and beyond our expectations.
Suzan H November 14, 2023
All trip was great! From the time when you get train in athens(larisis train station) till you go in kalambaka all the time you see a million pictures from places!!... read more Meteora thrones care obout people who visit meteora! Thank you so much vaso and sakis for everything!!!
mchristo000 March 1, 2022
Meteora Thrones takes good care of their customers. We were guided by Chrysa, an effervescent, knowledgeable, engaging young woman and a great story-teller. The tour was everything I hoped for.... read more I learned a lot. I only wish we had more time at each monastery. Thank you for a great experience!
Rebecca808 June 29, 2022
Guide Clement and driver Elias made the tour visits in good timing and enjoyable. Glad to learn more about the monasteries and soaked in the magnificent landscape.
stellaphuamk June 7, 2023
George, a perfect guide, was extremely informative, interesting, patient and easy to understand.
The bus arrived on time and was very clean and comfortable.
I would highly recommend this wonderful... read more tour.
Cynthia C September 6, 2022
Great service, friendly staff gorgeous places. Special thanks to our guide Eleni and our driver George
T8580GEgeorgev August 14, 2022
Our guide was Clement for the sunset tour. Though he is new, but he is very well learned and gave us wonderful stories along with facts and figures. We also... read more highly recommend the hiking tour, which we did the following morning. Our guide, Chris, was very experienced, and we got to see the wonders of Meteora from a different view point. The hike was easy and pleasant, and very fun,
linglingOct November 9, 2022
The best place to visit. A good tour operator. Majestic views. Good natured driver and guide. Informative.
Kkorias October 14, 2022
Really nice and friendly guides - They were really nice. Even if we did not pay the Spanish tour, as we were Spanish, they explained everything in Spanish.
The transportation is comfortable and you have plenty... read more of time to visit everything, with nice explanation from the guide and nice spots to admire the mountains.
As a kind of drawback, they do not enter with you to the monasteries to explain from inside. They let you to enter on your own to visit it, with a prior explanation of everything. Although it was a good explanation with plenty detail, someone might prefer them to enter with you. As for me, I liked it because like that you can spend time on those places you liked the most and the visit is not so
nachoa950 February 5, 2023
We were delayed by 2 hours because of problems with the train from Athens (weather) yet the tour company waited for us and gave us a fantastic tour nonetheless. The... read more guide was very well educated, engaging and charming. It was an unforgettable experience!
Zeru March 1, 2022
Perfect - Most beautiful experience ever, the best guide ever, perfect organisation. Absolutely to visit when you are in Greece.
807irenal June 5, 2023
Had a fantastic time with our tour guide Dimitri. We did the sunset tour the evening before - if you are staying overnight, I highly recommend doing both! I was... read more traveling with my parents who are both in their 60s so I was concerned about the amount of steps to the monasteries but visiting 3 monasteries is very doable. The morning weather is also a lot cooler than in the afternoon, when it gets scorching hot in the summer. Both the sunset and morning tours offer some respite from the heat
travelLTN June 29, 2022
George was an informative and engaging guide who was very knowledgeable about the area and monasteries. The bus was comfortable with a safe driver and plenty of time was given... read more at all three monasteries to explore. Highly recommend taking a tour with this company.
traveller3128 September 6, 2022
Thank you for the lovely trip. It was mesmerizing journey. The itinerary was very well thought and organised. And the guide was very good.
Passenger41424407033 April 1, 2021
Great tour - Great tour. Did the morning hike with Christos. Exceptional guide, very informative and interesting. Would recommend this tour.