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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Our Excellent Reviews
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Top Rated – 4.9 Stars based on

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  • star ratingThe whole tour was amazing.
    We learned a lot about the monasteries and their history. The guide was really nice and available.
    We could visit a monastery and the Byzantine... read more

    nrchloe
    October 2, 2022

    star ratingChristos was a wonderful guide, really engaging, and full of knowledge and stories. Even my teenage kids were enthralled by the many anecdotes and insight into the places we visited.... read more

    SpanishTraveller62
    June 30, 2022

    star ratingHad 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

    travelLTN
    June 29, 2022
  • star ratingPerfect tour! Very informative, great duration, I had a blast! I strongly recommend that tour to see the Meteors.

    Louise C
    September 19, 2022

    star ratingDimitris was our private guide for the afternoon. He was very knowledgeable and professional. We could not have asked for a better experience. Even had umbrellas when a torrential rain... read more

    TennesseeReiki
    June 13, 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 ratingUnfortunately due to the pandemic, we didn't get to do this tour we had planned for 2020. But George & his team have been fantastic throughout - initially providing a... read more

    Jan K
    October 19, 2022

    star ratingI went for the two day trip and had maria and Elias driving. I much appreciated the views and how Elias didn’t speed through everything so I got to see... read more

    Janellejb2022
    February 1, 2022

    star ratingAll 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

    mchristo000
    March 1, 2022
  • star ratingMeteora 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

    Rebecca808
    June 29, 2022

    star ratingBest way to book a local organized bus tour to maximize seeing as many of the monasteries as possible. The tour was 4 hours long with a very knowledgeable guide... read more

    523noemi1717
    October 18, 2022

    star ratingThe Meteora Thrones travel company were a great team. Prompt on schedule, with immaculate timing between monasteries.

    Guide Yannis was a cool chap, with a good sense of humour,... read more

    Mark R
    June 23, 2022
  • star ratingMeteora visit - Absolute stunning views and totally worth the long day of getting there and back to Athens. A bit disappointed we couldn’t take the train (there was flooding and route was... read more

    JillPerez-Guerra
    September 30, 2023

    star ratingThis tour has been our favorite one! The tour guide was excellent, provided us full history information and was also fun.

    NitramJavier
    June 9, 2022

    star ratingWe were very satisfied with this tour during which we visited three monasteries and stopped at the most beautiful places along the way to see the spectacular panoramas of Meteoras.... read more

    noctua5
    October 28, 2022
  • star ratingNot to Miss! - Tour guide was very knowledgeable and humour. Also very patient. Meteora is so beautiful and unbelievable

    SgLiew
    March 18, 2023

    star ratingWonderful tour - It was a wonderful experience! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We stopped at 3 monasteries and stopped at all the great picture locations. Meteora was an amazing... read more

    mikiwerner
    March 12, 2023

    star ratingIt's an magic tour through the Meteora forests and paths, along with a visit to the monastery of Varlaam. Special thanks to Chris, our guide, who was very informative and... read more

    vasioannis
    September 10, 2022
Meteora Location in Greece
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