Published 14th Mar. 2024
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Meteora, which translates directly to ‘suspended in the air’, is a destination sure to leave you in awe. Spotted by medieval monks in the Thessaly mountains, the striking rock formations here captured their imagination, leading to the questionable (but ultimately impressive) decision to build monasteries on top of them. Today, six active monasteries stand as a testament to this remarkable history, each offering a distinct, awe-inspiring experience infused with religious significance. Read on to discover all you need to know about visiting the Meteora monasteries.
The Meteora monasteries, in central Greece, are famous for a number of reasons. Firstly, their breathtaking position balanced atop towering rock pillars is enough to catch a curious eye – there are few places where ancient monuments are built 1,000ft in the air. Secondly, these monasteries hold profound spiritual significance within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, established by monks in the 14th century as places of seclusion and worship. Designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, they embody an extraordinary fusion of human endeavour with the natural environment. The six monasteries are the Holy Monasteries of Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Rousanou, St. Nicholas Anapafsas, St. Stephen and Holy Trinity. You may recognise the monastery of the Holy Trinity from James Bond: For Your Eyes Only, which helped mark the monasteries as one of the most recognisable landmarks in Greece.
The visiting hours and days vary across the six monasteries. From the start of April to the end of October, the times are as follows: Great Meteoron is open from 9am to 3pm and is closed on Tuesdays; Varlaam is open from 9am to 4pm and is closed on Fridays; Rousanou is open from 9am to 4.30pm and is closed on Wednesdays; St. Nicholas Anapafsas is open from 9am to 5pm and is open every day; St. Stephen is open from 9am to 1.30pm and 3.30pm to 5.30pm and is closed on Mondays; and Holy Trinity is open from 10am to 4pm and is closed on Thursdays.
From the start of November to the end of March, the times are as follows: Great Meteoron is open from 9.30am to 2pm and is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; Varlaam is open from 9am to 3pm and is closed on Thursdays and Fridays; Rousanou is open from 10am to 2pm and is closed on Wednesdays; St. Nicholas Anapafsas is open from 9am to 4pm and is open every day; St. Stephen is open from 9.30am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm and is closed on Mondays; and Holy Trinity is open from 10am to 4pm and is closed on Thursdays.
As with many places of worship, there’s a dress code to enter the Meteora monasteries. Visitors are expected to dress modestly in clothing that covers their shoulders and knees (this means avoiding shorts, vests, etc.). Additionally, some monasteries may provide wraps or skirts for visitors who arrive in attire that doesn't meet the dress code standards. It's always a good idea to check ahead of time for the specific monastery you plan to visit for their dress code guidelines.
The number of stairs at each of the Meteora monasteries varies depending on which one you visit. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Great Meteoro have over 300 steps each, while Rousanou, Varlaam and Saint Nicolaos have an average of 140. Whichever you visit, it’s sure to be a workout.
Every monastery has a three-Euro admission fee per person, while children under 12 years old are exempt from entrance fees.
How long is a piece of string? Depending on your fitness level, transportation, time available and weather conditions, the number of monasteries you can fit into a day changes from person to person. We recommend scheduling in visits to no more than three, as a slow-paced adventure means you can appreciate all the magic they have to offer.
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