Even if you are arriving on a tour, try to include at least spending one night in Meteora.Guide to visiting Meteora- breathtaking scenery near Varlaam monastery. Or, at least, View the complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece. Also Read: 10 Epic Photo Locations in Meteora. Great Meteoron Monastery 5. These sandstone formations are amazing just as they are. This family accommodation has two apartments located in beautiful surroundings at the foothills of Meteora. Northern Greece. You should not travel to Meteora independently unless you plan to stay overnight, otherwise, it really saves you any money or hassle on a solo day trip, mostly because public transportation only gets you to Kalambaka, which is not Meteora, you will still have to get to the monasteries once you arrive. We stayed in this cozy immaculately clean and tastefully furnished one-bedroom apartment. Exploring The Monasteries from Kastraki - Travel n History The first is Mount Athos. sunrise photos!). Unlike Mount Athos, though, Meteora monasteries can be visited by women. If possible, try to spend at least one night in the area, in order to enjoy the sunset on the cliffs. How would you like a room with a view like the one above? parking really straightforward, while driving into Meteora took something Everything you need to know before visiting Meteora monasteries in Greece, A brief overview of Meteora and its "suspended in the air" monasteries, Visiting Meteora by Bus (from Athens and Thessaloniki), St. Nikolas of Anapafsas (14th century) Monastery Meteora ***, Roussanou (1529) monastery in Meteora Greece***, Holly Trinity (Agia Triada, 1362) Monastery in Meteora***, Great Meteoron monastery (14th century)***, The best lookout points in Meteora for sunset and sunrise, Renting a car in Greece: 30+ Key Things to Know before Driving in Greece, From Athens: Full Day Rail Tour to Meteora, From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus trip to Meteora, From Athens: Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Guided Tour, From Athens: 3-Days in Meteora & Delphi with Tours and Hotels, 30+ Key Things to Know Before Driving in Greece. Majestic Sunset on Meteora Rocks Tour from Kalampaka The weather was different each day, which made for great photography, and if youre interested in seeing the range of beauty in different weather, youll need the flexibility a few days here will give you. remain. The journey takes between 3 to 5 hours depending on the time of the day. Even with limited time, it is feasible to join a day tour and experience the magic of this truly incredible place. The distance from Athens to Kalambaka is about 350 kilometers, from Thessaloniki about 230 kilometers, so it depends on what else you have on your itinerary. Note that it is based on my personal opinion and you may agree or disagree with me at the end of your trip. Wow. , Varlaam has several great lookout points, including a beautiful courtyard overlooking Meteora valley with Roussanou in the distance. It was also known as "the rocks.". Book your tickets in advancethe trains sell out quickly during weekends and holidays. Ive been fascinated with the seamless way the monasteries grow on these cliff tops as if they were natural and not man-made. As there are over 400 km from Athens to Kalampaka, you can expect the travel to take 4-5 hours, without taking into consideration the waiting time. 5 things to know before you visit Meteora - Visit Meteora Dont miss the homemade granola bar dipped in dark chocolate, yum. The monks first made their way to Meteora in the 11th century and they occupied the caverns in Meteora during this time. Being featured in a popular James Bond film, today Holy Trinity is the other most photographed monastery in Meteora, especially by aerial photographers. really needed to wait in line for one. It gives you full control over your own schedule and also eases moving around the Meteora area. This particular one doesn't have any stairs. but they actually had a rather small impact on us. Even though we drove ourselves in Meteora, I could definitely see how it Many believed that the stone wall was built to protect the cave settlers from the cold winds. Monastiri Guesthouse $$. Chemical analysis suggests that the pinnacles were created some 60 million years ago in the Tertiary period, emerging from the cone of a river and further transformed by earthquakes. From this bus station, hop on a bus to Trikala, and then take another bus to Kalambaka. Ive been to Meteora twice: once in June and the second time in September. An Easy Guide to Visiting Meteora Monasteries in Greece. This means that if you want to visit all of them, @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'theroadreel_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_11',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Great Meteoron monastery panoramic view. Sign up for my newsletter for a once-a-week email with new posts on the blog, travel tips and deals, as well as exclusive content! Hotel Meteora Kastraki Although in June it was overcast, it didnt rain a lot, so I had a great time visiting the monasteries. The 24 monasteries that stood at the current UNESCO site were not built until in the 14th century. posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the Legend Must visit Recommended If time permits. [2] To me, Varlaam, although undeniably beautiful, felt too commercialized (the same applies to Great Meteoron and even Saint Stephan). Due to its many red-roofed buildings, the monastery can be mistaken for a small fortified town rather than a holy place. Yet it is hard to comprehend how on earth the monks back in the medieval ages came up with an idea and actually managed to build sacred homes atop hundreds of meters tall vertical rocks. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-leader-3-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'theroadreel_com-leader-3','ezslot_9',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-leader-3-0'); For up-to-date train schedules, ticket prices, and booking tickets to Meteora (Kalambaka) online, visit the national railway website. This is the monastery that was featured in the 1981 James Bond movie, The stairs to reach this monastery number over 130! This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link. The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox monasteries in Meteora and the biggest of them all; it dates back to the 14th century, and once inside, you can also visit the museum and the main church. visit, which monasteries are worth seeing, where to stay, places to eat, and This monastery's claim to fame is the paintings of the Catholicon, stunning works of art on the walls of the churches here. Great Meteoron Now tourists are invited to visit the temples, the priory, the old monastery refectory, the altar and the stone hearth. When I was planning my trip to Meteora I couldnt get a grasp of how big or small the area actually is. Anyway, the most spectacular thing about Meteora is the scenery with buildings on clifftops and huge rocks carved by water and winds. If I was to choose a tour to Meteora, these would be my top picks (based on the ratings and reviews of other travelers):@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-leader-2-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'theroadreel_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',153,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-leader-2-0'); There are multiple ways to get around Meteora: car, scooter, taxi, electric bicycle, tour, and walking (or even hiking). I dont have any good photos of Saint Nikolaos Anapafsas, but Ill be there in less than one week. Game of Thrones fans may recognize the scenery of the fictional city of Eyrie backdrop of which was inspired again by the same Meteora in Greece. You dont even need a car, as you can get here by either train or bus. Thessaloniki-Kalambaka one-way ticket price is around 27 EUR, return is 34 EUR. June 7, 2023 Greece Meteora Greece: Best Tours & How to See the Magical Monasteries Meteora is one of the most stunning places to visit in mainland Greece! @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-box-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'theroadreel_com-box-1','ezslot_8',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theroadreel_com-box-1-0');report this ad. The price was also quite affordable at around 80 per night Nonetheless, this is one of the best places to start your tour from. Wondering how to visit Meteora independently? Located on a slightly lower elevation, just a few steps away from the Great Meteoron, Varlaam is the second-largest monastery in Meteora. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can visit Meteora, Greece, in the beginning of June or mid-October. To get the most out of your visit, book a guided tour which will offer historical context. As of 2015, this monastery only housed three monks. Each of the 6 monasteries in Meteora is closed on one day during the weekday in the summer season, and some of them a few days a week during the winter season. 1. If you're aiming to see a lot of them you should have enough cash with you as none of the monasteries took credit cards for the entrance fee when we went. Today bridges, staircases, and even funiculars (used by monks for transporting goods) allow easier access to each of the monasteries. Today, 13 nuns inhabit Rousannou which is the second smallest monastery among surviving six. From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora You have to get to the KTEL bus station in Thessaloniki. full-day tour of Meteora by mini-bus. This Is The Closest You Can Get To The Monasteries In Meteora - TheTravel "The beauty of Meteora is intense". Meteora's Stunning Roussanou Monastery - ViaTravelers Here you could find: The origins of Meteora Monasteries The Monasteries of Meteora today The Holy Monasteries of Meteora Of all the monasteries, I have to say that St. Nikolaos of Anapafsas Unfortunately, most photos from that tour came out dull. Watching the sunset on the rocks is a wonderful experience. Psaropetra lookout/ Sunset Rock (perfect for sunset), Main Observation Deck of Meteora (great for sunrise and sunset), Planning on renting a car in Greece? His travels have taken him to over 200 countries and territories and 400 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guide to visiting Meteora monasteries in Greece, the rope basket you can see in this image was used in old days to transport good and even people, Holy Trinity monastery. However. I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over Translating as suspended in air, the uniqueness of Meteora is simply unmatched.

Find Repeating Element In An Array Javascript, Articles H