var script = document.createElement('script'); submitButtonText: function() { Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9:30am - 1pm, 3pm - 5pm (closed on Mon). Roussanou Monastery 09:00 to 16:30. Out of the six active monasteries the 5 of them they have stairs to climb. if (document.addEventListener) { 2021 Visit Meteora. Our offices are marked on the map. The Great Meteoron is the largest, oldest monastery in Meteora. The monastery was heavily damaged during WWII but extensively renovated in the 1970s. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thank you. You may have read our previous article regarding our trip to Meteora Monasteries, about hiking Meteora Greece. We came back the next day to explore more. The following Meteora guide will help you answer questions like, is Meteora worth visiting?, which Meteora monasteries of Greece can you visit, how to get to Meteora monasteries, and more.
emailValidation: function() { Some of the monasteries are only open until 3 PM or on certain days of the week. To access it, you will have to climb a flight of up to 140 steps. } var name = this.form.className; A tour of the monasteries is a trip down memory laneto thousands of years ago. if (typeof Widget === 'undefined' || !Widget.BasicDropdown) return; Below we have prepared 2 indicative itinerary examples to consider. Find top-rated tours, transfers, and outdoor activities to explore Meteora, the monasteries, and beyond. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Could you send us the map? } The nuns who live here are welcoming and keep it in perfect order, with a beautiful chapel adorned with frescoes and ornate golden details. revalidateOnChange: function() { If you aren't up for hiking on your own, or you want to get some perspective on what you are seeing from a local guide, join an organized hiking trip. Consider joining a tour, walking between the monasteries, or getting there very early in the morning. _this.onSubmitCallback(response); Required fields are marked *. this.initialize();
If you want to beat the heat of mid-day, there are some excellent museums in Kalambaka where you can cool off. We are staying one night in Meteora and are driving there. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. } var action = this.form.action; It took its name from the first monk climber who went up the rock, the monk Varlaam. }, if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { this.submit = document.getElementById('webform_submit_button'); 5.1 St. Stephen's Convent (Agios Stefanos) 5.2 Great Meteoron Monastery; 5.3 Varlaam Monastery; 5.4 Roussanou Monastery; 5.5 The Holy Trinity Monastery; 5.6 St. Nikolaos Anapafsas; 6 Where to Sleep in Meteora? Its less touristy and has fewer options, but its a bit quieter.function extend(destination, source) { Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Monks also created wooden ladders that could be brought up and thus block any access to their sanctuary. Family of five travelling on 26 june for one night. this.submit.value = this.submitButtonText(); showConfirmationText: function(html) { A modern cable car is used to carry workers in and out. Meteora Monastery of Agia Barbara Roussanou, Meteora Monastery of Holy Trinity (Agia Triada)), Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Meteora Hermits Caves and a hideaway for monks, Where to Enjoy the Famous Meteora Monasteries Sunset. The convent goes back to the 12th century. One of the most photographed monuments in Meteora, Holy Trinity Monastery is one of the most challenging to access. Things To Know About Meteora Monasteries Greece Driving to Meteora with 8-persons in a van. The tour will end at around 13:30, have lunch and then in the afternoon around 16:00 you can either explore the area by yourself, or you may choose to join the Meteora Sunset tour that will take to another monastery Agios Stefanos (except on Mondays) including all the hidden gems of this place. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. 1. The entrance fee for each monastery in Meteora is 3, and you have to dress appropriately. Similar to the Monastery of St Stephen and with an unbiased and spectacular view of the surrounding environment. Its a lovely place with nice views, good restaurants, and lots of accommodation options. PRIVATE : 1 day Meteora Tour from Athens by Train, PRIVATE: 1 day Meteora Tour from Athens by Mini Bus, 1 day Meteora Tour from Thessaloniki by Train, 2 days Meteora Tour from Thessaloniki by Train, PRIVATE : 1 day Meteora Tour from Thessaloniki by Train, Panoramic Morning Meteora and Monasteries Tour, PRIVATE : Full Day Meteora Tour from Kalabaka or Kastraki, PRIVATE : 1 day Meteora Tour from Volos by Mini Bus. Summer } Until 1923, Megalo Meteoron was accessible by rope ladders and later by a pulley system. So dont expect to find any taverns or restaurants inside the site of Meteora. A couple of the deserted monasteries in Meteora are also visible from the terraces of St. Nikolas Monastery. destination[prop] = source[prop]; You are free to visit this monastery on your own, or you can opt for the more efficient guided tours where you link up with others for a small group excursion to have a more immersive experience. formUrl: function(format) { There are 6 functional Greek Orthodox monasteries in Meteora that you can visit during their opening times (provided below in this post). Required fields are marked *. if (document.addEventListener) { If youre visiting the Meteora Monasteries, youre sure to have an interesting and educational visit. } Scroll down below to learn more about these must-visit monasteries in Meteora, Greece. I see what all the fuss is about . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. But once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic vistas over the Plain of Thessaly and Kalabaka about 300 meters below. If youre pressed on time, you can visit Meteora in one day, but we definitely recommend spending at least two so you can visit most of the monasteries and also hike in the area. Closed: Monday, Winter If youre still keen to make it to Meteora in one day and make the most of it, your best option is this tour from Athens by train. Open: 9am 3pm, Saturday Wednesday onSelectCallback: function(input) { Holy Trinity Monastery 6. The train ticket is around 30. this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random());
if (!Mimi) var Mimi = {}; Another gorgeous Greek isle destination is Kefallonia. }
The water and the winds sculped the present rock formations. We drove fromThessalonikiand had plenty of time to see the open monasteries in Meteora. Greek nationals enter for free. Alternatively you can always join our Sunset tour, one of the best things to do in the whole area! So, I would recommend staying the night somewhere close. onSubmitCallback: function(response) { It was founded in 1356 by Athanasios the Meteorite. Now, the monastery is accessible by climbing a 146 irregular steps staircase. Yes pls send me a copy of the map Thanks, Your email address will not be published. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { } else { The Great Meteoro Monastery it closes at 15:00, so if you wish to visit this one youll have to be there at least an hour earlier because Tuesday would be closed. var elements = this.form.elements; }, Well, it took us around 6 hours to visit these Meteora monasteries, but the memories are still following us. Enjoy these plates, all made with local products. Serene, spiritual, magical, mystical, extraordinary, breathtaking, immense, inspiring, impressive. 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. Awesome! The monasteries are built on huge rock pillars that dominate the eye. Located in the middle of Kalambaka, theMuseum of Hellenic Culturehouses an exhibit dedicated to the history of Greek education and learning. Here is another one about the Meteora monasteries we visited. Also, dont forget to take a few moments to admire the views. Only one monk stays in that monastery at full time. Closed: Thursdays, Winter textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { After all, the monks built them to live secluded and closer to God. new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); this.formSubmitting(); They also enlarged the original chapel, and in 1548, Byzantine iconographer Frangos Kastellanos decorated the monastery. _this = this; var _this = this; input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); (this.form.querySelectorAll('fieldset')[0] || this.form).innerHTML = html; Closed: Thursday. this.submitForm(); if (selected) { }, One day in Meteora - Monasteries and view points - How I spent one day in Meteora, Greece to marvel at its beauty and savor its history. The organized tours by bus from Thessaloniki are more convenient than the ones by train. Your help is appreciated. However, Meteora cant be reduced to just one post. Pay attention to the beautiful frescoes and the wood-carved artwork in the chapels of St.Stephens. (Book sooner than later for possible upgrades). This is how monks were lifted from the rock base. Buy a ticket headed for Trikala. I mean, it can be, but its a stretch, and it would be a long and tiresome day. There are 2 seasons of the visiting hours: the Winter period (November to March) and the Summer (April to October). }, I plan on driving around on my own. The monasteries are spectacular, set on high, almost unaccessible pillars. Open: 10am 4pm, Thursday Saturday From Kalambaka, you will have to take a bus to take you to Meteora. For this reason, it is also one of the most picturesque. (984 to 1640 feet) 4 What Is the Best Time To Visit Meteora? We were thinking of visiting in December this year(2018). }, We didnt enter this one, but we liked its location and the stories our guides told us. Thank you for your support in keeping my blog live! It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time. St. Stephen Monastery is another one of the Meteora Monasteries run by nuns, and it currently plays host to the largest number of workers of any of the monasteries. Open: 9am 3pm, Wednesday Monday Driving from Athens to Meteora takes about 4 hours as it is 360 km away. Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas is located close to Kastraki, about a kilometer (0.6 miles) from the village. Inside, youll findstunning frescos and religious relics. How far in advance should I book We are staying two nights in Meteora and are driving with our own car. this.isValid = false; The closest monastery to the village of Kastraki at just one kilometer away, St. Nicholas makes for another super dramatic photo. You'll want to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water. Closed every Wednesday. The church itself has a very rare pulpit, utterly different from those you may encounter in Orthodox churches. Unsubscribe in one click. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest of Meteora and is near the Great Meteoron. input.className = 'required invalid'; You can download a map of Meteora from our site. That means long pants for men and below-knees skirts for women. Drinks, snacks, and souvenirs are available in the parking lots of the larger monasteries in Meteora (St. Stephens Monastery, Great Meteoron, and Varlaam Monasteries). Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category . Before booking our tours check Meteora Monasteries Opening Hours and Days UPDATED 2023, Meteora Thrones - Travel Center 2022 All rights reserved, Summer Timetable April 1st to October 31st, Winter Timetable November 1st to March 31st, Train to Train tour with your own tickets. Tours take off from Greme. Of course, the things that youll do and see always depend on the time and energy you wish to spend in each place you visit. this.isValid = false; } else { input.placeholder = ''; Imagine just sitting at this balcony. During the days we were there, some construction works were taking place to expand this balcony. You will have to walk down the pathway to the foot of the cliff and then climb more than 130 steps to reach the monastery. The Rousannou Monastery in Meteora was founded in 1529 and is dedicated to Saint Barbara. }, There were originally 24 monasteries built on top of Meteora, but today, only six remain. How to Get to Meteora. With this winch! selected = false; So make sure to allocate enough time for Meteora, if thats possible because its a destination that truly offers a magical and unique travel experience.if (this.validEmail.test(email.value)) { Learn how your comment data is processed. I think I would opt to see the monasteries over a few days so Im not completely exhausted. It is believed to have been constructed in 1288, and it underwent a major renovation in 1545. If you have less than 24h to spend at Meteora, then you may plan to visit 2 or 3 monasteries, whether in the morning or in the afternoon hours. Most organized tours will only take you to a couple of monasteries and introduce you to the others from a distance. The best monastery in Meteora Review of Great Meteoron Monastery Reviewed May 6, 2017 The view was great, the museums were interesting. Can you kindly send the map for Meteora as well as parking areas family of 6 doing a selfdrive in October. This is the barrel where they brewand keep their wine. It is in an epic setting that forms a gorgeous background for dramatic photos that will forever be etched in your memory. Visit all six of . Cost: If you decide to venture to Meteora solo, the entrance fee for all monasteries is 3 Euro per person. A quick tip: 5 of the 6 monasteries are accessible through stairs. Its one that you absolutely cant miss while youre there. Ill have the little one in a chair on my back, We have sent the map as requested to your e-mail. Thanks! They are incredible indeed. The Monasteries of Meteora are one of the world's best kept secrets. return 'checkboxes'; The monastery with the easiest access is the monastery of Agios Stefanos which has no stairs at all, a perfect choice for people with mobility issues or disabilities. Located very close to the Great Meteoron Monastery, Varlaam Monastery is the second largest of the monasteries of Meteora and ishost to the largest number of hermit monks of all the monasteries. Athens to Meteora by Train: There is an express train (number 884) every morning going direct from the central station in Athens (Larissa Station) to Kalambaka at 7:20 in the morning. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Meteora can be reached by train, bus, or car. 5 The Meteora Monasteries. field.className += ' invalid';