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 ratingWe had such a great experience getting to visit this beautiful place. Marcini, our guide was truly a star, she shared so much information around the phenomenon of the... read more

    joannekI2615UI
    July 11, 2022

    star ratingWell organized, quick response to the questions, perfect and nice guide. Definitely worth money paid.

    laimagruzdyte
    May 23, 2022

    star ratingGreat service, friendly staff gorgeous places. Special thanks to our guide Eleni and our driver George

    T8580GEgeorgev
    August 14, 2022
  • star ratingTour 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

    chantalh314
    August 27, 2022

    star ratingFascinating tour of a unique World Heritage site. Yiannis was a knowledgeable guide. We had many stops for photos and were able to enter three of the monasteries. Well worth... read more

    Sunny A
    March 29, 2022

    star ratingPerfect Tour with an Exceptional Guide - This tour was everything I expected and my tour guide (Tomas?) was very friendly and knowledgeable.

    I made an error and booked for the wrong date and did not... read more

    debracL9273SM
    January 2, 2023
  • star ratingOur 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

    linglingOct
    November 9, 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 ratingThe tour was a fantastic experience. The monasteries were incredible from the inside and outside. The journey in the van between the monasteries was pleasant and convenient and the guide... read more

    Getaway62065549891
    February 22, 2022
  • star ratingEasy to find, well organised (even if last minute), we didn't have to think about anything, the guide was very nice!

    Melanie s
    February 1, 2022

    star ratingA very well managed tour of a spectacular area. It was a long day (departing Thessaloniki @ 9.30am
    and returning to our hotel @ 10.45pm); however we saw... read more

    avatar thumb Judy C
    October 16, 2023

    star ratingGreat tour! - Clement was our guide, and he was absolutely wonderful! I think the driver deserves some mention here too, because WOW! I wouldn't want to drive a bus in that area!... read more

    kef537
    December 30, 2022
  • star ratingMeteora - We bought the tickets directly from the meteora thrones- Travel center’web site . Not too much expensive, 92 euros. Because of some issues caused by flooding , we went there... read more

    GlobeTrotting585430
    October 10, 2023

    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 ratingExcellent Guide Clement and Wonderful Tour - Meteora Thrones was truly a gem. Starting from communicating with George from the beginning and till the day of the tour. The driver was fantastic, very patient and... read more

    uniglobe0777
    November 9, 2023
  • 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 is a must see.  - A definite bucket list destination! Magical and majestic. Our guide Christos was Excellent. He was both our driver and guide and he was outstanding. The next... read more

    MMac73088
    November 26, 2022

    star ratingIf you have extra time in Athens, I highly recommend a trip to Meteora and it’s monasteries. It is a long day trip, but ihe sites are totally worth it.... read more

    tjpmcafee
    October 8, 2022
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