Meteora

Eastern Orthodox monasteries perch atop sandstone pillars that rise sheer from the ground. Known as the "monasteries in the sky", Meteora is mainland Greece's most striking site of both natural and religious heritage.

Meteora (Greek for "suspended in the air") lies in Thessaly in central Greece, at the eastern foot of the Pindus Mountains. It is a cluster of giant sandstone and conglomerate pillars rising abruptly from the plain, the tallest about 400 m above the valley floor. From the 14th century, Byzantine monks, seeking refuge from turmoil, built monasteries atop these almost unclimbable pillars. At their peak there were as many as 24, and today six are still home to monks or nuns and open to visitors. In 1988 Meteora was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site under both natural and cultural criteria, and it is the most spectacular landscape on mainland Greece.

Key areas: The gateway town of Kalambaka sits at the southern foot of the rock forest, and the neighbouring village of Kastraki, closer to the pillars and quieter, is the other preferred place to stay. The six monasteries are linked by a loop road of about 17 km. From north-west to south-east they are: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou, St Nicholas Anapausas, Holy Trinity and St Stephen. We recommend staying at least one night and allowing 1.5–2 days: visit 3–4 monasteries on one day and watch the sunset in the evening, then see sunrise or sea-of-fog views over the rocks the next morning, or hike the old monks' paths.

Getting there and around: The train from Athens to Kalambaka takes about 4.5–5 hours (direct or with a change at Palaiofarsalos), and from Thessaloniki about 3–4 hours. You can also drive (about 4 hours from Athens). A local bus runs from town to the monasteries (infrequent), and most visitors opt for a private car with driver, a tour or self-drive. The best seasons are Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct; in winter there is occasional snow, but the misty scenery is distinctive. Note: each monastery is closed one day a week and hours differ between winter and summer, so check before setting out. Tickets cost about €3–5 per monastery, and most accept cash only. Dress must cover shoulders and knees, and women must wear skirts (wraps can usually be borrowed at the entrance). Photography is prohibited in many parts of the monasteries.

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