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 ratingt was a very fantastic trip one of my best in my life
    We had few stop to take some nice picture and visited 3 monastry inside
    The guide man... read more

    Attila197909
    September 13, 2022

    star ratingThe tour and guide guy was so nice, stay overnight or 2 in Kastraki village, eat at Gardenia Taverna

    SydneyCristos
    September 19, 2022

    star ratingWe had a great time with this tour. Our tour guide greeted us at the Kalambaka train station parking lot. We were grouped with other tourists in a big coach... read more

    LisaTong111
    May 23, 2022
  • star ratingDespite the heat in Greece this summer, this was so worth it, yes, even climbing hundreds of stairs to get into the monasteries. I'm not a religious person, but the... read more

    946arind
    July 30, 2022

    star ratingexcellent guide, amazing tour. - If you are in Meteora for the first time and if you can afford it - this is definitely the best tour. Antonis made sure to cater for everyone's interests... read more

    agnemama
    March 21, 2023

    star ratingFamily trip. Excellent guide. Pictures dont do it justice. Hotel was comfortable. A highlight of our trip.

    chrisv445
    August 16, 2022
  • star ratingHiking with Meteora thrones - Dimitri & Sarah tour guides made my experience unforgettable. The unique and charming views of Meteora coupled with the personalized approach of Dimitri & Sarah... read more

    nicolitta07
    May 17, 2022

    star ratingMeteora 4 hour hiking tour - We were promptly picked up and we then made our way to Varlaam monastery,where we had 45 minutes.
    Then we had an awsum hike with Crystos the tour guide who... read more

    Otaihangadebz
    June 7, 2023

    star ratingOur tour to Meteora was amazing. I think it was the place I enjoyed the most in Greece land. some weeks ago I had to change the type of tour... read more

    LuciaS139
    June 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 ratingWonderful trip. Awesome views. Heart touching experiences, monasteries, hermits, nuns, monks, solitude, amazing nature!

    Good guide, energetic, kind, humorous,

    54ye
    September 28, 2022

    star ratingAmazing adventure! Train depart around 8am morning from Athens, it’s around 4 hours journey. There is small snack and coffee shop in a train. After we arrived in Kalambaka around... read more

    234emiliaw
    June 15, 2022
  • star ratingThe tour was fantastic and so was our tour guide, Dimitris! He was very knowledgeable about the history of Meteora and very enthusiastic! I highly recommend this company for your... read more

    argmyrsini
    June 9, 2022

    star ratingOur tour of Meteora was amazing. Yiannis and Costas were both excellent hosts. We would definitely recommend visiting Meteora to anyone who is able to visit!

    harrison j
    May 16, 2022

    star ratingThe tour was very well organized and the guide Chris knows everything about Meteora and I had an amazing day knowing all history about Meteora!

    Rene Moreira
    January 1, 2022
  • star ratingThe Tour was great! We started early enough so at least the first Monasterie was quiet empty still. We were a small group which was very comfortable as well. The... read more

    miladl24
    August 15, 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 ratingWe did Tha half day tour and it was great. Really complete for the ones that are short of time, as you have the opportunity to visit half of... read more

    rgirao1974
    August 17, 2022
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