Meteora is a rock formation in the regional unit of Trikala in Greece. The edge of a mountain range is formed of semi detached rockey pillars. It is a plains at the bottom of these rock pillars. Six of those rock pillars are hosting one of the largest eastern orthodox monastric complexes built in 13-14 centuries. Monastries built on immense rock pillars dominate the local area. There had been 24 monastries originally but only 6 is remaining today.

Kalambaka is the nearest town which is located at the foot of the hills. There is road access from Kalambaka to the monastries. When looking up from Kalambaka, 4 monastries are located to your left and 2 to the right. These two clusters are about 3 km apart. Monastries in each cluster are close by. Road up to the hills run through the valley between the two clusters. Road rises up to monastries and reaches them from behind. This raod offers fantastic view of the monastries and kalambaka town below. There are car parks close to monastries. Left side cluster of 4 is comprised of the Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou and St Nikolaos monastries. Right side cluster of 2 are Holy Trinity and St Sephan monastries. Out of all, Great Meteoron is the oldest, highest and the largest. Varlaam is also located very close to it and equally beautiful. Holy trinity is the least visited due to strenous climbing. It is the most detached pillar so that should climb down from the road and then climb up. St Stephan is the easiest to reach directly through a bridge from the road. On the way there are several view points worth paying a visit. An illustration of the monastries is attached here for easy understanding.

Dress code

This is a relugious centre. So men should not wear shorts and skinnies. Women should cover their shoulders and must wear SKIRTS. Pants are not sufficient. For those who wear pants a cloth will be given at the ticket counter at a fee. But they may run out in the high season.

Opening times.

Monastries are closed on some days based on a schedule. Opening times change for summer and winter. Some Monastries close earlier than you think. Please check their official website and plan your visit accordingly.

Getting from Kalambaka to Meteora.

Buses are availabe from Kalambaka and they stop at every monastry. But buses run very few times such as 9.00 am and 12.15 from kalambaka and 11.00 and 2.15 from meteora. Easiest way is to get a taxi from Kalambaka taxi station. There are plenty of taxies. Taxi station is located close to bus station. you can take the contact number of the driver and ask to come to pick you for return. Charge to meteora was 12 euros. They will stop for photos on the way if requested. It will cost few additional euros. for return journey you can call and ask them to come and pick you up from meteora. It will take about 12-15 minutes to come up from Kalambaka. So call them early. Shops and restaurants around the station etc. can help you with contact numbers of taxi operators.

Getting to Kalambaka from Athens.

Trains to and from Athens operate from Larissa station. Larissa train station is located just outside once you come up (out) from the metro station. Tickets to kalambaka can be purchased from the station or via Hellanic Train app. A picture of the app icon is attached. Train journey is nearly 5 hours and it is a comfortable ride. Sometimes, part of the journey towards Kalambaka end may be operated by a replacement bus. Trains and replacement buses run on time.

There are lot of hotels and restaurants in Kalambaka. They serve superb local food which are worth trying. Food is tastier than those in Athens.