About
Meteora sits in central Greece, where sandstone pillars rise sharply from the Thessalian plain. Perched on their summits are monasteries that seem to hang between earth and sky, and the landscape around them makes the place one of the most striking heritage sites in Europe.
What you will see
Of the 24 monasteries that once stood on these rocks, six remain active today. Visitors can explore them and take in the views across the plain, which change with the light through the day. The site is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its value lies in the way natural geology and Byzantine architecture meet in one place.
What kind of visit it makes
- A landscape visit, for the pillars and the open plain below them
- A architectural visit, for the monasteries and their Byzantine character
- A quieter day out, given the sense of monastic life that still continues on the rocks
Because the monasteries are working religious communities, visitors are asked to behave with respect, dressing modestly and keeping voices low inside the buildings.
Around Meteora
The site lies on the Thessalian plain, so the surrounding area is largely a rural landscape of farmland and open country. Visitors who want to make a fuller trip can plan their travel around the region, and the scale of the rock formations is best appreciated slowly, with time set aside for walking and looking rather than rushing from one stop to the next.
