The Monasteries of Meteora:
Once remote havens, these monasteries cling to high promontories that now attract thousands of visitors.
Planning Your Visit to Meteora:
Different monasteries are open each day, to allow the still-functioning monasteries to spend some time in prayer and other sacred work without tourists staring over their shoulders. If there is a particular monastery on your list, confirm that it is open. Some of the monasteries have been converted into museums.
Love Steps? Meteora is For You!:
There are hundreds of steps leading to some of the monasteries. The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen is the most accessible; the Holy Trinity is the least accessible, requiring a long hike. Watch yourself and prepare for your knees or shins to hurt the next day.
How to Get to Meteora:
Meteora can be reached by car or by coach tour; there are popular three- and four-day tours including a visit to Meteora which can be booked through virtually any hotel or travel agent in Greece or on-line below. However, most of these tours run just May-October, so if you're going outside of those months, you may end up driving yourself or hiring a driver.
Visitable Monasteries at Meteora:
While the hills hold many other empty, abandoned monasteries that are not open to the public, there are only six which can be visited.
Meteora in The Movies:
Meteora has been featured in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only" and in the Angelina Jolie film "Tomb Raider - Cradle of Life".
