Meteora Monasteries

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About Meteora – The Holy Meteora Monasteries

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?

Great Meteoron

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…

Holy Monastery of Varlaam

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…
Varlaam Meteora
Roussanou Meteora

Holy Monastery of Rousanou

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…

Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas

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…
Saint Nikolas Anapafsas
Saint Stephen Meteora

Holy Monastery of St. Stephen

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…

Holy Monastery of Holy Trinity

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…
Holy Trinity
Discover Meteora with the Best Local Agency

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!

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Top Rated – 4.9 Stars based on

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  • star ratingAmazing views and interesting explanations! - After 5 hours on the train (it was delayed more than an hour for both Athens-Kalambaka and Kalambaka-Athens), our expectations of Meteora weren't high, but the whole tour was totally... read more

    pfuset
    November 26, 2022

    star ratingWe were fortunate enough to have a private tour with Chris, as other people had cancelled due to bad weather. The wealth of information he shared with us, more than... read more

    Sandra A
    March 29, 2022

    star ratingNice storytelling by the guide with nice views enough time at eaxh monestary.
    Made sure we arrives back on time.

    LisaH6203
    April 16, 2022
  • star ratingEverything was just perfect and well organized. We had a wonderful time during our daily trip to Meteora. Highly recommended!

    diana r
    January 1, 2022

    star ratingThis was an excellent tour with a great guide and driver. There was plenty of time to see the monasteries and the church.

    rubyvu18
    July 30, 2022

    star ratingBeautiful scenery and friendly, knowledgeable guides. Be prepared to walk a few flights of stairs to reach the monasteries!

    avatar thumb Krisha L
    November 9, 2023
  • star ratingThis is an amazing place and I highly recommend taking the time to go and see these monasteries! Our guide, Clement, was great. He had a lot of very interesting... read more

    avatar thumb Chase B
    October 6, 2023

    star ratingLocal travel agent was excellent going beyond what was expected to make sure I finally joined my tour after a harrowing experience getting to my destination. I could not... read more

    338arlenef
    October 25, 2022

    star ratingThe driver Christoff picked us up at our Air BnB in Athens and drove us to Meteora. He was very polite and spoke conversational English, which was... read more

    avatar thumb Splitpi
    March 10, 2023
  • star ratingReally 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

    avatar thumb nachoa950
    February 5, 2023

    star ratingLong day but well worth it. Train is easy to find. We got an uber to the station and had our tickets on our phones. Tassos, the guide was excellent... read more

    avatar thumb LouisK1966
    February 15, 2023

    star ratingWith a seven-headed group of friends from Belgium we booked a one-day Meteora visit, including train tickets, bus rides, tour guide, free leisure time, and lots of breathtaking views and... read more

    mmhenrot
    October 8, 2022
  • star ratingMy (teenage) daughters and I did the Hiking Meteora Tour in the morning/ early afternoon and the Sunset Tour in the late afternoon/evening. Both guides were VERY knowledgeable and made... read more

    Niki R
    April 24, 2022

    star ratingAmazing views - Everything was spectacular, I enjoyed each moment and view of the Monasterios and rocks formation. Our guide was excellent, he show us the most amazing spots, and he explained in... read more

    RoxanaZamudio
    April 30, 2023

    star ratingThis private tour was amazing! Our private driver in meteora was Sakis. He was full of life and stories of the history of the area. He was born and... read more

    kolaj2022
    May 3, 2022
  • star ratingI did the 4 hour tour after arriving by train the day before. I don't usually (ever!) do tours but this was very well priced and I thought a convenient... read more

    avatar thumb Kerrylan
    February 8, 2023

    star ratingQuite professional group. Nice, welcoming and beautiful guide allocated for the trip.
    Ample time to complete the tour.

    avatar thumb Abhijit W
    January 6, 2023

    star ratingExcellent tour and Antonis was the best guide. He was very knowledgeable and went above and beyond our expectations.

    avatar thumb Suzan H
    November 14, 2023
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