The wondrous region of Meteora, nestled in northern Greece, is about a four-hour drive from Athens or three from Thessaloniki. I first heard of Meteora a few years back from a colleague, and later from photographers who visited and were enchanted by its beauty. The breathtaking landscape of Meteora features gigantic basalt rocks that soar hundreds of meters into the sky, with dramatic cliffs rising from the earth, crowned by "hanging" monasteries.
Greek monasteries
(Video: Gilad Topaz)
Our journey to Meteora kicked off with a cozy overnight stay in the charming town of Delphi, perched on Mount Parnassus, offering a splendid view of the Gulf of Corinth. Delphi was once home to the Oracle of Delphi, the most revered oracle in classical Greece, and a pivotal site for Apollo's worshipers. Today, you can wander through the impressive ruins that echo with ancient history.
After an enjoyable tour of the antiquities, we continued north toward Lake Plastira, traversing impressive mountains cloaked in clouds and lush greenery. It was hard to believe we were in Greece, a land typically associated with islands and pristine beaches. As we drove through the stunning scenery, we expected to find tourist spots for a quick stop, but it seemed the Greeks hadn't prioritized making the area tourist-friendly. So, we found ourselves driving nearly three hours non-stop on winding roads until we reached the lake. Before arriving, heavy rain and fog obscured the view, and upon reaching, visibility was near zero. Slightly disappointed by the weather, we decided to head straight to Meteora—a decision that turned out to be spot on.
As we approached Meteora, we were suddenly greeted by a stunning sight of dramatic cliffs towering over red-roofed villages. This awe-inspiring view accompanied us all the way to our hotel (Pyrgos Adrachti), nestled at the edge of a quaint village right next to the Meteora cliffs.
We quickly unpacked and dashed toward the cliffs. The entire area was shrouded in white clouds and gray skies—perfect weather for photography—which significantly enhanced the initial impression we received when we arrived at the first viewpoint, offering a sweeping view of the entire region. The Greeks took great care not to disturb the landscape, so after parking in a small lot, you walk toward a natural platform seemingly crafted for admiring the valley. Reaching the edge, the breathtaking and dramatic views left us speechless, keeping us there until the sun dipped below the horizon.
After sunset, we returned to the village for a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant. Every restaurant we visited during our trip was both inexpensive and delightfully tasty. A delightful discovery we made was that if you didn’t order dessert (often we were too full), the waiter would bring a complimentary dessert to the table. Usually, it was a wonderful semolina cake (and I'm not typically a fan), but we also received ice cream and even baklava.
The next morning, we began with visits to two monasteries. Meteora boasts six active monasteries, open for visitors to explore their exquisite architecture, artwork, and the stunning views they offer. Established in the 14th century, these monasteries remain in excellent condition. Each monastery is perched atop a cliff, requiring a climb up several stairs. The more accessible ones have about 140 steps, while others demand a challenging climb of 300 steps or more. The monasteries offer a glimpse into monastic life, culture, and Orthodox Christian tradition, housing important religious artifacts, icons, holy books, and stunning frescoes. Today, they serve as pilgrimage sites and popular tourist attractions, allowing visitors to experience Meteora's spiritual and architectural splendor.
Our first stop was Varlaam Monastery, a large and quite grand establishment with several wide balconies offering spectacular views. Inside, you can wander through the monastery's rooms, see how past inhabitants lived, and how they received food deliveries and everything needed for life in the monastery. We spent about an hour there, including the climb up and down the stairs, which was the average time we dedicated to each monastery.
Next, we moved to the nearby Great Meteoron Monastery, the oldest and largest monastery with absolutely breathtaking views. Part of its charm is the magnificent view of Varlaam Monastery and the surrounding cliffs. This monastery also showcases ancient objects and paintings depicting monastic life and construction.
From there, we took a short drive around the other monasteries and the town at the foot of the cliffs—Kalabaka. The area itself is not large, and a full tour by car takes about half an hour. With most of the day still ahead, we decided to venture a bit beyond Meteora to the impressive Palaiokarya Waterfall, about a 50-minute drive away. The waterfall is a double waterfall, and together with the adjacent stone bridge and surrounding scenery, it offers an enchanting spot that's hard to leave. Getting to the waterfall is quite easy, and you can drive almost right up to it, making it a great place for a picnic or just to sit and enjoy the impressive view.
We returned to Meteora with a brief stop in the beautiful city of Trikala, just in time for the last sunset shots. This time, we positioned ourselves near the impressive Doupiani Rock, located next to the village of Kastraki, where our hotel was situated.
Meteora is usually combined with an extensive tour of northern Greece, but I decided that given the time constraints and the uncertainty of weather conditions (rain doesn’t allow for drone photography), our trip would focus on Meteora, with short excursions to other places. There’s no doubt that we will return to the area.