Meteora CentralGreece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Meteora and Central Greece reveals the most extraordinary landscape in the country, the remarkable sandstone rock pillars of Meteora rising 400 metres from the Thessaly plain with extraordinary Byzantine monasteries perched on their summits, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is among the most extraordinary sights in the entire world. This route covers the essential Meteora experience. The extraordinary monasteries of the Great Meteoron, Varlaam and Roussanou, the remarkable hiking trails between the rocks, the extraordinary ancient Oracle of Delphi on its magnificent mountainside above the Gulf of Corinth, and the remarkable mountain town of Arachova, the finest village in Central Greece.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Train or bus from Athens (3 hours) or Thessaloniki (3 hours)
Getting Around
Rental car essential for Meteora and Delphi
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 120 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some monastery stair climbing
DAY 1
METEORA MONASTERIES
MORNING
THE GREAT METEORON AND VARLAAM MONASTERIES
The Great Meteoron is the most extraordinary monastery in Greece, its remarkable position on the highest rock pillar in Meteora at 613 metres giving the finest views of the entire rock forest below. Founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios, the monastery's extraordinary frescoes, the remarkable ossuary with hundreds of monks' skulls and the magnificent katholikon church give the finest monastic experience in Greece. Varlaam monastery on the adjacent pillar gives the most extraordinary views across to the Great Meteoron. Entry approx 3 euros each. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
ROUSSANOU AND AGIOS STEFANOS MONASTERIES
Roussanou monastery is the most extraordinary monastery in Meteora for photography, its remarkable position on a narrow rock pillar with sheer drops on all sides giving the most dramatic monastery setting in Greece. The extraordinary frescoes in the katholikon, dating from 1560, are among the finest in Meteora. Agios Stefanos, accessible by a bridge, is now a nunnery and gives the finest view of Kalambaka town from the monastery terrace. Entry approx 3 euros each. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SUNSET VIEWPOINT AND KASTRAKI VILLAGE
The sunset viewpoint above Kastraki village is the most extraordinary viewpoint in Meteora, its remarkable elevated position giving the finest panorama of the rock pillars with the setting sun turning the sandstone golden. The extraordinary village of Kastraki sits directly below the rocks, its remarkable traditional stone houses and narrow lanes giving the finest base for exploring Meteora on foot. The view from the viewpoint at sunset is the most photographed in Central Greece. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Theopetra Cave near Kalambaka is the most remarkable prehistoric site in Central Greece, its remarkable cave containing the oldest known man-made wall in the world, built 23,000 years ago, and continuous human habitation spanning 130,000 years. Entry approx 3 euros. The most extraordinary hidden gem near Meteora.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Taverna Gardenia, Kalambaka The finest breakfast in Kalambaka with extraordinary rock views. Local honey, yogurt and pastries. | Lunch: Taverna at Kastraki Outstanding traditional Greek lunch in the extraordinary village below the rocks. | Dinner: To Paramythi, Kalambaka The finest restaurant in Kalambaka. Outstanding local Thessaly cuisine and regional wine.
DAY 2
METEORA HIKING AND HIDDEN MONASTERIES
MORNING
METEORA HIKING TRAILS
The Meteora hiking trails between the monasteries give the most extraordinary rock landscape walking in Greece, the remarkable paths winding through the sandstone pillars with views of the monasteries from angles impossible to reach by car. The extraordinary trail from Kastraki to the Great Meteoron passes the base of the highest rocks and gives the finest close-up views of the monastery walls and the remarkable natural arches. The trail is 5 kilometres and takes approximately 1.5 hours. Free. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
AGIOS NIKOLAOS ANAPAFSAS MONASTERY
Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas is the most extraordinary small monastery in Meteora, its remarkable compact katholikon painted entirely with extraordinary frescoes by the Cretan master Theophanes in 1527, the finest example of his work and among the most remarkable Byzantine fresco cycles in Greece. The monastery sits on a lower rock accessible by a long staircase and gives the finest intimate monastery experience in Meteora. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
KALAMBAKA BYZANTINE CHURCH AND TOWN
The Byzantine Cathedral of Kalambaka is the most extraordinary church in the town, its remarkable 11th-century frescoes and ancient marble ambo, the finest surviving Byzantine ambo in Greece, giving a completely overlooked heritage experience at the foot of the rocks. The extraordinary town of Kalambaka beneath the Meteora cliffs gives the finest afternoon walk in the region, its remarkable old quarter of stone houses and traditional kafeneions entirely free of tour groups by mid-afternoon. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Vlachava Bridge near Kalambaka is the finest hidden Ottoman stone bridge in Thessaly, its remarkable three-arch construction over the Portaikos river giving the most extraordinary medieval engineering in Central Greece. Almost entirely unknown to visitors. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Local kafeneion in Kastraki Outstanding Greek coffee and local pastries in the extraordinary village below the rocks. | Lunch: Picnic at the hiking trail viewpoint Pack supplies from Kalambaka market. The most extraordinary lunch setting in Central Greece. | Dinner: Meteora Restaurant, Kalambaka Outstanding local Thessaly cuisine. Extraordinary grilled lamb and local barrel wine.
DAY 3
DELPHI AND ARACHOVA
MORNING
DRIVE TO DELPHI AND THE SANCTUARY OF APOLLO
The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi is the most extraordinary ancient site in Central Greece, the remarkable pan-Hellenic oracle where the Pythia delivered her prophecies from beneath the Temple of Apollo for over 1,000 years. The extraordinary Sacred Way, the treasury buildings of the Greek city-states, the remarkable theatre with its extraordinary views over the Pleistos valley and the Tholos of Athena are the finest ancient monuments in Greece outside Athens. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 2.5 hr drive from Kalambaka
MIDDAY
DELPHI ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Delphi Archaeological Museum is the most extraordinary site museum in Greece, its remarkable collection of objects from the sanctuary including the extraordinary Charioteer of Delphi, the finest surviving bronze statue of the ancient world, the remarkable Sphinx of the Naxians, the extraordinary silver bull and the magnificent friezes of the Siphnian Treasury. Entry included with site ticket. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ARACHOVA VILLAGE AND THE RETURN
Arachova is the most extraordinary mountain village in Central Greece, its remarkable stone houses clinging to the slopes of Mount Parnassos above Delphi giving the finest village atmosphere in the region. The extraordinary local formaella cheese, the remarkable local wine and the fine woven textiles in the village shops give the finest artisan shopping in Central Greece. The extraordinary view from Arachova over the Pleistos valley is among the finest in Greece. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient Stadium of Delphi above the sanctuary is the finest hidden ancient sports venue in Greece, its remarkable stone seating for 7,000 spectators carved into the mountainside for the Pythian Games giving the most extraordinary ancient athletics venue in Central Greece. Included in the Delphi site ticket. Almost no visitors make the climb.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Kalambaka before the drive Early start for Delphi. The extraordinary drive through the Pindos foothills takes 2.5 hours. | Lunch: Taverna Vakhos, Delphi The finest restaurant in Delphi with extraordinary views over the valley. Outstanding local lamb. | Dinner: Taverna in Arachova Outstanding local mountain cuisine in the finest village in Central Greece. Local formaella cheese.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Kalambaka, Nights 1 to 2 Meteora Hotel or Doupiani House. Views of the rocks from the terrace. Approx 60 to 140 euros. Delphi or Arachova, Night 3 Hotel Varonos, Delphi, or Arachova village guesthouses. Approx 60 to 120 euros. Budget option Camping Meteora in Kastraki village. Approx 15 euros per person per night with extraordinary rock views.
Top Tips
1. Meteora monasteries open different days of the week. Check the schedule: no two monasteries are closed on the same day.
2. Arrive at the Great Meteoron at 9am opening. By 11am coach tours fill the narrow monastery courtyard.
3. The Meteora sunset viewpoint above Kastraki village gives the finest view of the rocks. Arrive 1 hour before sunset.
4. Delphi Archaeological Site: arrive at 8am opening for the finest light on the Temple of Apollo and zero crowds.
5. Arachova village above Delphi is the finest mountain village in Central Greece. The local formaella cheese is extraordinary.
6. The Meteora hiking trail from Kastraki to the Great Meteoron takes 1.5 hours and gives the finest rock face views.
Total Budget
70 to 120 euros/day