On our fourth day in Greece, we decided to book a last-minute trip to Meteora through GYG. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. The pictures on GYG looked almost “too” good, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be a bit overhyped. My friend shared my concerns but was definitely more optimistic. Either way, the trip was booked, and we had something to look forward to!
Meteora is a actually stunning mountainous region in northern Greece, located near the towns of Kalabaka and Kastraki, in the region of Thessalía. It’s famous for being home to one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. These monasteries are perched on top of dramatic rock formations, which makes them look like something out of a fantasy novel.
Interestingly, about 60 million years ago, during the Paleogene period, tectonic movements pushed the seabed upward, creating a high plateau and vertical fault lines in the thick sandstone. Over time, water, wind, and temperature extremes weathered the rock, forming the towering pillars unique to Meteora. This geological formation is a rare remnant of the ancient Pangea supercontinent, making the area geologically unique within its surrounding mountains.In the second half of the 14th century, under the rule of Simeon Uroš, 24 monasteries were built atop these massive natural pillars and rounded boulders. Today, six of these monasteries are still active and open to visitors.
The name “Meteora” literally means “suspended in the air,” and it’s easy to see why once you’re there – these rock pillars rise abruptly from the ground, creating a landscape that’s both surreal and awe-inspiring.
We were picked up by a bus arranged by Meteora Travels, and the journey took about 4 hours, with a pit stop halfway at a place called Macedonia, which was supposed to be a restaurant/shop. To put it mildly, the food was tasteless, so much so that I’d almost prefer to eat cardboard. Unfortunately, this was our designated stop for both the trip there and back, so we made do with snacks as our saving grace. 🥲😅
After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived in Kalabaka. Our first stop was at the Hermit Caves of Badovas and the Monastery of St. Anthony. These caves were once used by monks for solitude and prayer, and they’re tucked into the cliffs in such a way that it’s hard to believe anyone ever lived there. Today a 95 year old man lives here, because he wanted to live a peaceful life here. Afterward, we headed into Kalabaka for lunch at a family-owned restaurant called Taverna Efrosino. Neither A nor I was particularly excited about the hot dishes they offered, so we opted for a simple meal of bread with tzatziki and melitzanosalata. It was refreshing but nothing to write home about.
Next, we made our way to the mountains, where we planned to visit several viewpoints and three more monasteries. At first, I was wondering why we needed to visit monasteries at all – I hadn’t read much about Meteora, and I assumed monasteries were just boring, quiet places. But I was SO wrong. 😱😍🤩
The monasteries turned out to be incredible, and each one had its own unique charm. Here’s where we went:
Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas
Perched on a narrow rock pillar, this monastery is famous for its beautiful frescoes and tiny size. It almost feels like it’s carved out of the rock itself.
Monastery of Varlaam
This is the second largest monastery in Meteora, known for its rich history and the impressive rope-and-pulley system monks once used to lift supplies (and themselves!) up the cliffs.
Viewpoint of Holy Trinity
The view from this spot is breathtaking.
Kalabaka Viewpoint
A panoramic spot that offers a sweeping view of the town of Kalabaka below and the towering rock formations surrounding it.
Monastery of St. Stephen
This monastery has the easiest access (no steep steps!), but the views from here are still stunning. It’s also home to a peaceful nunnery.
In between these stops, we were treated to several more jaw-dropping viewpoints, each one offering a slightly different perspective of the soaring cliffs and ancient monasteries. It was a crazy beautiful experience – definitely one of the best parts of our trip to Greece! 😍🤩
The whole day exceeded my expectations. The monasteries, with their unique blend of history, spirituality, and stunning architecture, were way more impressive than I ever could’ve imagined. I’d thought they’d be dull, but they turned out to be some of the most beautiful and inspiring places I’ve ever visited.
To top it all off, the weather was perfect throughout the day. It wasn’t until our last stop that the skies decided to put on a show. Thunder, lightning, and rain rolled in, but honestly, it only added to the drama of the landscape. While most people ran for shelter, I couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of the lightning against the mountains, and the rain was a welcome relief in the heat. 🤣All in all, this was hands down one of the best experiences of the entire trip. I love nature and heights, so Meteora was basically my dream come true. Plus, it gave us the chance to explore a completely different part of Greece – we’ve now covered both the northern and southern regions. Huge thanks to A for pushing me to go to Meteora. It ended up being unforgettable! 😅😂♥️