There’s no beating around the bush here, Metéora is a stunning and completely unexpected find in the typically beautiful country of Greece. Thing is though – have you every heard of Metéora?
I’m sure we all have pre-conceptions about what Greece actually is, right? The crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea, the history in Athens or even the beauty of the many Greek islands you’ll want to visit (including the beautiful island of Santorini) but none of them looks or feel anything like the indisputable beauty of Metéora in central Greece.
Right, let’s get the important information out of the way so we can focus on that amazing scenery!
What is Metéora?
The monasteries of Metéora are some of the most important Greek Orthodox sites in all of Greece. It’s ridiculously dramatic mountains and pinnacles are situated within the valley about 15km (11 miles) north of Trikala and next to the Pineios river.
This has been an important site for many religious people, dating as far back as 1,000 years – and even longer if you consider the neo-lithic period! There’s been evidence that people have lived in this region and on the pinnacles for many thousands of years. Nowadays, the site is still one of the most significant in Europe but one that most visitors to this marvellous country don’t even know is there!
How many monasteries are there?
There are still 6 intact monasteries to see in Metéora, consisting of:
1.) The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
2.) The Holy Monastery of Varlaam
3.) The Holy Monastery of Rousanou/St. Barbara
4.) The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas
5.) The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen and finally
6.) The Monastery of the Holy Trinity (which is my total favourite)
Where is Metéora?
Metéora is situated in the centre of mainland Greece. If you can imagine popping a pin right into the middle of a map of Greece, that would be Metéora! For a more specific description (but much less fun 😉 ), Metéora is perched in Kalabaka, Greece.
How to get there…
The closest airport to this area is Ioannina National Airport (which is about 120km/100 miles) from Metéora itself. If you drive, a rental car would really help you out here!
You can take a train from the centre of Athens to Kalabaka daily. The journey times take about 5-6 hours depending on the time of day you leave. It’s a long old chug along, so pack some tunes and hvae a good sleep before you hit the road! For a train travelling from Thessaloniki, you should expect the journey time to take around 4 hours or so.
There are also buses that run between the major towns though they can be subject to unexpected delays without much prior notice. See more info on bus transfers here.
Who should visit Metéora?
Let’s be frank…. ANYONE should visit Metéora, religious or not! This place is stunning and a beautiful example of human achievement many hundreds of years ago! If you’re a geography geek like me, you’ll probably enjoy the vistas of the pinnacles. You’ll also love this place for its culture and history – which is perfect for us history buffs! 😉
As certain places in Metéora can be relatively high, you might want to re-consider your visit if you’re acrophobic (scared of heights). Those pinnacles are steep!
How much does it cost?
Costs can be relatively inexpensive to visit the monasteries themselves. In some cases, they can be less than €5 / £4 / $4.80. If on the other hand you’re looking for a guided tour (lasting half a day), you can expect to pay in the region of €25.
Dress code?
Yep, there’s a dress code – you will be entering a religious site, so be prepared to cover up and remove hats. It’s best to take clothing that covers your legs, shoulders… etc as a precaution. No one wants to arrive and not be allowed in!
What does it look like?
See for yourself below… how can I even attempt to describe those views!!! *insert 50 million heart emojis* 😉
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