Despite being about as far as you can get from the seaside, Meteora remains one of Greece’s most famous destinations. Among the hills, cliffs, and unusual stone pillars that make Meteora so unique is a collection of remote, ancient monasteries. While visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the main thing to do in Meteora, exploring the region’s hiking trails and finding the best local viewpoints will also help keep you busy.
Avoid Meteora in the scorching summer (June–August) because of the crowds that climb up to its small monasteries. Instead, try going in October and November, when fall paints the region’s quiet forests red, orange, and gold. Late spring is also a smart time to go, as you get nice weather without having to share Meteora with too many other visitors.
The precarious locations of Meteora’s monasteries limit options for exploring the region. Renting a car and driving the road that connects the monasteries with nearby towns is a good option for experienced drivers. During summer, buses run from Kalabaka to the monasteries several times daily. More ambitious visitors can hike or cycle up to the lofty attractions, but no one will fault you for choosing an e-bike to handle the steep inclines.
With so much focus on the six main monasteries, many people don’t think to explore other parts of Meteora. You can walk up from Kastraki past a small local church to see the Adrachti stone pillar in a spot surrounded by the region’s rocks. There are even other monasteries worth seeking out, such as the Holy Monastery Ypapanti which is very different from Meteora’s famous monasteries.
