Day 10: Visit the Meteora Monasteries in Greece
Today we are going to visit the Meteora Monasteries in Greece, one of the places to see in Greece essential and that we are also safe, will become part of our list of the most incredible destinations that we have had the great luck to know.
Although the idea these days is to rest a little more than the previous days of this Greece for free, in the end and although we have tried, we ended up getting up at 6:30 to work for a while on the terrace of our room, With unique views of Kastraki and the Meteora Mountains, which we have to confess, they leave us little time to concentrate on work, enjoying a couple of hours recharging energy to start a new day on this incredible trip to Greece in 32 days.
Views from our room in Kastraki
It's 8 o'clock when we go down to the garden of the Hotel Doupiani House, our accommodation in Kastraki these days and where we enjoy breakfast, as well as incredible, both in quality and quantity, a unique environment, which makes us repeat ourselves throughout In the morning, the success that has been staying here these days.
Breakfast at the Hotel Doupiani House
We also take the opportunity to do the planning of the day, since just yesterday we realized that the monasteries do not open all the same days, something that should be taken into account especially if you are coming only one day to visit the Monasteries of Meteora, in order to decide which monasteries to see and which not, adjusting the route to their schedules.
Given that we are going to be three full days to visit the Monasteries of Meteora, between the day we arrived that was yesterday after visiting the Oracle of Delphi, the next two full days and the day we will go to Piraeus, which will be about noon, to enjoy this incredible place with tranquility; We have decided that the practical guide of today and tomorrow, rather than being a detailed route of what we have done throughout the day, will be two posts dedicated entirely to advice, recommendations and possible routes to visit the Monasteries of Meteora, depending on the number of days you have.
In this way we will include all the data that we believe are necessary for visit the Monasteries of Meteora either for free, as we have done, or with an excursion to Meteora by train or this 2-day excursion to Delphi and Meteora, both with a guide in Spanish.
In case you want to visit the Meteora Monasteries from Kalambaka or Kastraki, in an organized way, we recommend one of the following options:
- Excursion to Meteora at sunset from Kalambaka
- Excursion to the Meteora Monasteries from Kalambaka
- Hiking by Meteora from Kalambaka
- Excursion to Meteora at sunset from Kastraki
- Excursion to the Meteora Monasteries from Kastraki
- Hiking through Meteora from Kastraki
Visit the Meteora Monasteries
What are the Meteora Monasteries
Taking into account the many doubts that arose to us at the time of organizing the days we were going to visit the Monasteries of Meteora, since we do not find too much information on the internet about possible routes, we are going to do a general review of the aspects that we believe, they are fundamental to know the place and thus be able to visit it in a coherent way and above all, making the most of the time.
We will start by saying that in addition to being a World Heritage Site, we believe we are not mistaken when we say that the Monasteries of Meteora are one of the most incredible and exceptional places in the world, as well as being one of the most visited destinations in Greece.
Meteora monasteries
Already in the eleventh century, Meteora was known for being the place where hermits had retired, in their many caves originated by the incredible orography of the land, but it was not until after the Turkish incursions, several centuries later, when the monks had to start looking for safer shelters, thus beginning the construction of the Meteora Monasteries on top of the rocks, which could only be accessed by ropes and removable stairs, something that kept them safe as they were practically inaccessible.
This remained so for years, along which there were few who lost their lives, and then devised a kind of forklift, also made with ropes, in which the monks went up and down, in addition to the provisions.
Meteora monasteries
Currently all this has changed and you can reach and visit the Monasteries of Meteora through a road that joins them and stone stairs, which in greater or lesser numbers, give access to the 6 monasteries that can be visited today, of the 24 that there was at the time in Meteora and that they seemed to want to defy gravity in an incredible way.
How to get to the Monasteries of Meteora
Located 350 kilometers from Athens and about 4 hours away, the Meteora Monasteries are undoubtedly one of the best tours and excursions in Athens.
- Car: This would be the most used option and the one that gives you greater freedom of movement and schedules, since when you get here by rental car, you can move between the different villages and monasteries with total freedom.
- Bus: There are buses from different cities in Greece to the Meteora Monasteries, although the most common depart from Greece, in a journey of 5:50 hours and from Delphi, in a journey of 4 hours and a half.
- Train: The train is another of the most common ways to reach the Monasteries of Meteora and as with the bus option, you can arrive from several cities, the most usual being Athens, in a journey of 4 hours and a half.
- Plane: Ioannina and Volos are the closest airports, although the most practical and comfortable is to get to Athens or Thessaloniki from where you can rent a car or go by train to get to Meteora.
Perhaps it is best to look at a Skyscanner type website to see which option best suits your budget or schedules. - Excursion / Tour: If you are staying in Athens and want to know more about the place, a good option is to book this Excursion to Meteora by train, this 2-day excursion to Delphi and Meteora, the Classic 4-day Circuit or the Classic Circuit of 3 days, all with guide in Spanish.
Visit the Meteora Monasteries
How to move around the Meteora Monasteries
Once you have arrived at Kastraki or Kalambaka, villages that act as a gateway to the road that runs through the Meteora Monasteries, you can move around the area in the following ways, if you have not booked a tour / excursion:
- Car rental: For us the best option, for the freedom of movement and schedules that allows you. In addition, in all the monasteries there is parking enabled and it is free.
- Bus: From Kalambaka, buses depart to Kastraki, approximately every hour, from where you can connect with the buses that arrive to the Great Monastery. There are several schedules where you can go directly from Kalambaka to the Great Monastery. We recommend you check schedules, since according to the time of the year they change.
- Taxi: This is another of the most used options if you do not have a car. You can choose to hire it during the hours you want or just the way up and walk down.
- Walking: This is undoubtedly the most economical option, but also the most tired. Although we believe it is a unique experience, since you can enjoy the views along the entire route, if this, which is practically 10 kilometers, we add the endless access stairs that some monasteries have, in addition to the temperatures At certain times of the year, according to our experience, it would be the least advisable, unless you have a high physical condition.
That said, we have to say that our first intention these days, was to make a first day of the route by car and the second complete to do different walking areas. Seeing that the temperatures exceeded 30 degrees and that from the access by car we already had the views that we were looking for, we discarded the option of making any walking path.
Meteora monasteries
Monasteries that can be visited in Meteora
As we mentioned earlier, today only 6 monasteries can be visited, all connected through paved roads, so you can reach them by rental car, by public transport, walking or on a tour or excursion.
The entry price is 3 euros per person, they have different schedules and close each of them on a different day of the week, which we specify later. It is also necessary to dress properly to make the visit: short sleeve t-shirt, non-straps and pants that cover the knees. For women it is mandatory to wear a skirt in case the shirt does not cover enough or the pants are very tight.
In the same monasteries they provide you with a kind of skirts, in case you do not comply with the regulations.
Moni Agia Nikolau Anapafsa
This is the closest monastery to the town of Kastraki, just 2 kilometers from the main town square.
Inside, several impressive frescoes stand out.
Access is made through steep stone stairs, which are tired, but totally affordable for anyone with a minimum of physical fitness.
Moni Agia Nikolau Anapafsa
More practical information to prepare your trip to Greece
- 10 essential places to see in Greece
- The best tips for traveling to Greece
- The 10 best Greek Islands
Moni Megalou Meteorou or Great Monastery of Meteora
The Great Monastery of Meteora is in addition to the best known, the most visited monastery, especially by organized groups. Located in the highest rock of Meteora, more than 600 meters above sea level, it became at the time the richest monastery, since it received all the fortune of Symeon Uros, who donated all his possessions, thus making it the most powerful in the area where some of its frescoes stand out.
Access is made through several hundred stone stairs, from which you have sublime views of both the surroundings and the monasteries on both sides.
Moni Megalou Meteorou or Great Monastery of Meteora
Moni Vaarlam
In the lower part of the Great Monastery, from where there are spectacular views from the access stairs, we find Moni Vaarlam, which highlights several frescoes inside.
Access is made through stone stairs, at an average height.
Moni Vaarlam
Moni Agias Varvaras Rousanou
This Monastery is known for being frequented by nuns, which is accessed through a bridge and where we can see in addition to some incredible frescoes inside, spectacular views of the surroundings.
Moni Agias Varvaras Rousanou
Moni Agias Triados
For us this is the most spectacular Monastery of all at the photographic level, especially from the access road. Also known for having been in the movie For your Eyes Only James Bond, this is one of the essentials on a route through this incredible area of Greece.
Access is one of the most exhausting, having to climb several hundred stone stairs.
Moni Agias Triados
Moni Agiou Stefanou
This is the last of the monasteries that you will find on the road and where you will find the impressive embroidery in which you can see Christ in his coffin. It also stands out for being frequented by nuns and for its easy access from the parking area.
Moni Agiou Stefanou
Meteora monasteries
We leave you the location of Kastraki and Kalambaka, entrance doors to the Monasteries of Meteora and the location of the 6 monasteries, which as you can see, are on the same road.
In the next post we will give details of the possible routes through the Monasteries of Meteora, depending on whether you have 1 day, 2 days or 3 days to visit them, days that we believe, are perfect to know and visit the Monasteries of Meteora.
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish to get to know the Meteora Monasteries by travelers:
- Excursion to Meteora by train
- 2-day excursion to Delphi and Meteora
- Classic 4-day circuit
- Classic 3 day circuit
- Many more excursions and tours in / from Athens here
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish to get to know the Meteora Monasteries by travelers:Hours of the Monasteries of Meteora
Moni Megalou Meteorou or Great Monastery of Meteora: 9-17 (summer) / 9-15 (winter). Closed Tuesdays in summer and Tuesdays and Wednesdays in winter.
Moni Vaarlam: 9-16 (summer) / 9-15 (winter). Closed on Fridays in summer and Thursdays and Fridays in winter.
Moni Agia Nikolau Anapafsa: 9-16 (summer and winter). Closed on Fridays in summer and winter.
Moni Agias Varvaras Rousanou: 9-17 (summer) / 9-14 (winter). Closed Wednesdays in summer and winter.
Moni Agias Triados: 9-17 (summer) / 9-16 (winter). Closed Thursdays in summer and Wednesdays and Thursdays in winter.
Moni Agiou Stefanou: 9-13: 30 and 15: 30-17: 30 (summer) / 10-13 and 15-17 (winter). Closed Monday in summer and winter.
Summer hours range from April 1 to October 31 and winter hours from November 1 to March 1.
Keep in mind that all monasteries are open on Saturdays and Sundays, so if you are interested in visiting them all, it is best to match your visit to the Meteora Monasteries with a minimum of one day at the weekend.
Meteora monasteries
How many days do I need to visit the Meteora Monasteries
Although we understand that this is a very personal assessment, taking into account our experience, we believe that the best options would be:
- 1 day from Athens (round trip): Although it can be a very exhausting trip, in a matter of times it is totally feasible, being able to leave by car early in the morning, in a 4-hour journey, visit 2-3 monasteries, make the panoramic route along the road that are only 10 kilometers, and about 5 in the afternoon, start the journey back to Athens.
This option is also feasible by train, from Athens or on any of the tours or excursions from Athens that we detail below:
- Excursion to Meteora by train
- 2-day excursion to Delphi and Meteora
- Classic 4-day circuit
- Classic 3 day circuit
- 2 days: For us the perfect option that allows you to also enjoy the possibility of seeing all the monasteries, make the panoramic route along the road, in addition to living a beautiful sunset in one of the viewpoints.
- 3 days: In case you have some extra day on a route through Continental Greece, we would not hesitate for a second to spend an extra day in this amazing place. In addition to the visits, which are not few, to enjoy the landscapes, sunsets, the atmosphere of Kastraki or Kalambaka and of course its cuisine, are excellent excuses to spend three days in the Monasteries of Meteora.
In the next post we will give details about the possible routes for each of the options mentioned.
Meteora monasteries
Where to sleep in the Meteora Monasteries
As we mentioned earlier, the gateway to the Meteora Monasteries and therefore the best place to stay, passes through the towns of Kalambaka and Kastraki.
According to our experience and despite the fact that many people recommend Kalambaka for having more infrastructure, today, the small town of Kastraki has a huge hotel and restaurant offer, while still maintaining a very close and traditional atmosphere. For this reason and for being a couple of kilometers from the Meteora Monasteries, for us Kastraki is the perfect option to stay in Meteora.
That said, keep in mind that both populations are touching each other, so the difference in distance is minimal.
Accommodation in Kastraki
Accommodation in Kalambaka
We have stayed at the Hotel Doupiani House, in Kastraki and we have to say that without a doubt, it has been the best success, since in addition to being somewhat removed from the town, it has superior rooms with views, perfect for relaxing and Enjoy the incredible landscape that surrounds it.
Doupiani House Hotel
Where to eat in Kastraki and Kalambaka, the gateway to the Meteora Monasteries
Throughout the three days that we have been in the Meteora Monasteries, we have had the opportunity to try several restaurants, both in Kalambaka and Kastraki. We leave you a relationship and a brief review of each of them.
- Taverna Gardenia (Kastraki): This traditional taverna, located in the center of Kastraki, is a safe bet, both for the environment, the service, and the quality of the food.
A safe bet if you want to enjoy the best Greek cuisine at a more than adjusted price. In our case, we ask for 5 starters plus water for 20 euros.
Taverna Gardenia
- Stefanos Tavern (Kastraki): This small taverna is another of the most recommended restaurants in Meteora where you can enjoy traditional dishes of Greek cuisine. We ordered a moussaka, more meat dish, beer and water for 22 euros.
Stefanos Tavern
- Stephanos Tavern: Probably one of the best moussakas we have tried, also at a super tight price. We forget to take a photo for a very special reason and that is where we were with Majo and Andrés de The trip of your life and we were so entertaining talking and telling us things, that we did not think about taking any photo of the food.
- Meteoron Panorama (Kalambaka): This restaurant, located a couple of kilometers from the town center, has incredible views of Meteora. In addition to having a quality meal, the attention is very professional and close. We ordered a Greek salad, spicy feta cheese and a pasta dish, plus water for 30 euros.
Meteoron Panorama
Day 11: What to see in Meteora
