What is Meteora?
Meteora, Greek for 'suspended in the air', is a group of huge rock pillars in Thessaly, central Greece, topped by monasteries. Monks settled here from the 11th century, and by the 15th century 24 monasteries had been built. In 1988 Meteora was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its culture and its landscape. Six monasteries are active and open to visitors: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Rousanou, St Nicholas Anapafsas, St Stephen and Holy Trinity. The town at the foot of the rocks is Kalambaka, next to the village of Kastraki.
When is the best time to visit Meteora?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant: comfortable walking weather and beautiful colours. Summer is hot and busy. Winter can be very cold, sometimes snowy, and Meteora is one of the top picks in our Greece in winter guide. Each monastery has its own closing day and hours, which change by season, so check before you go.
How to get to Meteora from Athens
By car: the most flexible option, letting you move between monasteries and combine Delphi or northern Greece. See our guide to renting a car in Greece.
By train: Kalambaka is on the rail network, but the line has seen disruption in recent years and the journey sometimes involves a bus connection. Check the current situation on Hellenic Train before booking.
By bus or tour: there are KTEL intercity buses and tours from Athens, including overnight ones.
We found no direct Tel Aviv–Meteora flight confirmed for 2026 on airline or airport websites. Meteora has no airport; fly to Athens (or Thessaloniki) and continue overland. Check current fares from Tel Aviv on Yavanet's flights page, updated every morning. Seasonal summer routes sometimes open, so check close to your dates.
Top things to do in Meteora
- Great Meteoron: the largest and oldest monastery, with a museum.
- Varlaam Monastery: striking frescoes and the old winch tower.
- Rousanou Monastery: a nunnery reached by a small bridge.
- St Stephen: the most accessible, with few steps and views over Kalambaka.
- Holy Trinity: many steps and open views, known from a James Bond film.
- St Nicholas Anapafsas: a small monastery with 16th-century frescoes.
- Sunset viewpoints on the rocks near the monasteries.
- Walking the old paths from Kastraki and Kalambaka up to the monasteries.
- A guided tour of the hermit caves and abandoned monasteries.
- Combining nearby Trikala, or Delphi on the way from Athens.
Dress code & visiting tips
Men need long trousers; women need a skirt or dress below the knee and covered shoulders. Some monasteries hand out skirts at the entrance. Each monastery charges a small entry fee. Most involve climbing steps. Arrive early in the morning, before the tour buses.
Where to stay near Meteora
Kalambaka: the larger town, with restaurants, the train station and buses.
Kastraki: a small village right beneath the rocks, with striking views and a quiet feel.
What to eat in the area
Thessaly mountain cooking: grilled and oven-baked meat, home-made pies, local cheeses and beans. Kalambaka and Kastraki have family tavernas.
Shabbat & kosher
We have not verified a Chabad house, active synagogue or kosher restaurant in Meteora or Kalambaka. Our Shabbat times & kosher in Greece page lists candle-lighting times and the kosher places we have verified around Greece. You can order kosher groceries and meals in advance from Chabad's e-kosher.gr, which delivers across Greece, including the islands. Order a few days before you arrive, especially ahead of Shabbat.
