Meteora

Few places in Greece are as immediately astonishing as Meteora, where a forest of colossal grey sandstone pillars erupts from the plains of Thessaly. Perched impossibly on their summits are the monasteries that give the site its name, meaning 'suspended in the air'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site of both natural and cultural importance, it is a landscape that rewards slow contemplation as much as sightseeing.

Monks first settled these rocks in the 14th century, hauling themselves and their supplies up by rope ladders and nets to escape the turmoil of the plains below. At its height the community numbered more than twenty monasteries; today six remain active and open to visitors, linked by a scenic road and a network of old stone paths. The largest and grandest is the Great Meteoron, whose church, museum and old kitchens reveal centuries of monastic life, while Varlaam, Roussanou, Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas, Agia Triada and Agios Stefanos each have their own character.

The gateway towns sit right beneath the rocks. Kalambaka is the larger, with hotels, tavernas and the train station, while the smaller village of Kastraki nestles even closer among the pillars and makes an atmospheric base for walkers and climbers. Both offer easy access to the trails that thread between the monasteries and the viewpoints prized by photographers.

Spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit. April to June brings green slopes, wildflowers and comfortable walking, while September and October offer clear light and thinner crowds. Summer can be hot and busy at midday, so early starts are wise. In winter, mist and occasional snow drape the pillars in a mood that feels genuinely otherworldly, though daylight is short.

Meteora is one of the easiest great sights to reach independently. Trains and buses run from Athens and Thessaloniki to Kalambaka, the journey from Athens taking roughly four to five hours by road or rail. A car or guided tour lets you link the monasteries and sunset viewpoints, but remember to dress modestly, as shoulders and knees must be covered to enter.