Meteora CentralGreece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Meteora and Central Greece gives you the complete experience of the most extraordinary landscape in the country, from the remarkable UNESCO monasteries perched on sandstone rock pillars to the extraordinary Oracle of Delphi, the most sacred site in ancient Greece, the magnificent ancient sites of Thermopylae and Hosios Loukas, and the extraordinary mountain towns of Arachova and Karpenisi. This route covers the full Central Greece experience. The extraordinary Meteora monasteries and hiking trails, the remarkable ancient Oracle at Delphi with its magnificent Charioteer bronze, the extraordinary battlefield of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans held the Persian army, the magnificent Byzantine monastery of Hosios Loukas with the finest mosaics in Greece, and the extraordinary Evritania mountain wilderness.
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 throughout Central Greece
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 130 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, hiking and some 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, the monastery's extraordinary frescoes, the remarkable ossuary 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 THE TRINITY MONASTERIES
Roussanou monastery is the most extraordinary monastery in Meteora for photography, its remarkable position on a narrow pillar with sheer drops giving the most dramatic monastery setting in Greece. The extraordinary frescoes by Cretan masters dating from 1560 are among the finest in Meteora. The Holy Trinity monastery, perched on the most isolated pillar in the complex, gives the finest view of the entire Meteora rock forest. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SUNSET VIEWPOINT AND KASTRAKI VILLAGE
The sunset viewpoint above Kastraki 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. Kastraki village below the rocks gives the finest base in Meteora, its remarkable traditional stone houses and narrow lanes entirely free of coach tour groups. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Theopetra Cave near Kalambaka contains 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 Finest breakfast in Kalambaka. Local honey, yogurt and pastries with extraordinary rock views. | Lunch: Taverna at Kastraki Outstanding traditional Greek lunch in the extraordinary village below the rocks. | Dinner: To Paramythi, Kalambaka 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 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. 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. 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 CATHEDRAL AND OLD TOWN
The Byzantine Cathedral of Kalambaka contains remarkable 11th-century frescoes and the finest surviving Byzantine ambo in Greece, a completely overlooked heritage experience at the foot of the rocks. The extraordinary old quarter of Kalambaka beneath the Meteora cliffs gives the finest afternoon walk in the region. 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. 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. 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
THE SANCTUARY OF APOLLO AT DELPHI
The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi is the most extraordinary ancient site in Central Greece, the remarkable pan-Hellenic oracle where the Pythia delivered prophecies for over 1,000 years. The extraordinary Sacred Way, the treasury buildings of the Greek city-states, the remarkable theatre with extraordinary views and the magnificent Tholos of Athena give the finest ancient monuments in Greece outside Athens. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
DELPHI ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Delphi Museum is the most extraordinary site museum in Greece, its remarkable collection including the extraordinary Charioteer of Delphi, the finest surviving bronze statue of the ancient world, the remarkable Sphinx of the Naxians and the magnificent Siphnian Treasury friezes. Entry included with site ticket. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ARACHOVA VILLAGE
Arachova is the most extraordinary mountain village in Central Greece, its remarkable stone houses clinging to the slopes of Mount Parnassos above Delphi. The extraordinary local formaella cheese, the remarkable local wine and the fine woven textiles give the finest artisan shopping in Central Greece. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Delphi Stadium above the sanctuary is the finest hidden ancient sports venue in Greece, its remarkable stone seating carved into the mountainside for the Pythian Games. Included in the Delphi site ticket. Almost no visitors make the 10-minute climb.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before driving to Delphi Early start. The extraordinary drive through the Pindos foothills takes 2.5 hours from Kalambaka. | Lunch: Taverna Vakhos, Delphi Finest restaurant in Delphi with extraordinary valley views. Outstanding local lamb and Parnassos wine. | Dinner: Taverna in Arachova Outstanding local mountain cuisine. Extraordinary formaella cheese, local wine and Parnassos honey.
DAY 4
THERMOPYLAE AND HOSIOS LOUKAS
MORNING
THERMOPYLAE BATTLEFIELD AND THE PASS OF THE 300
The Thermopylae battlefield is the most extraordinary military heritage site in Central Greece, the remarkable narrow coastal pass where Leonidas and 300 Spartans held the entire Persian army of Xerxes for three days in 480 BC. The extraordinary bronze statue of Leonidas stands where the Spartans made their last stand. The remarkable Simonides inscription, the most famous epitaph in history, marks the site. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
HOSIOS LOUKAS BYZANTINE MONASTERY
The Hosios Loukas monastery is the most extraordinary Byzantine monastery in Central Greece, its remarkable 10th-century church containing the finest Byzantine mosaics in Greece outside Athens, their extraordinary gold-ground images of the saints giving the most powerful Byzantine religious experience in the country. The remarkable crypt frescoes and the extraordinary views over the Helikon valley are unmissable. Almost no foreign visitors come here. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
DRIVE TO KARPENISI AND THE EVRITANIA MOUNTAINS
The drive from Hosios Loukas to Karpenisi through the extraordinary Evritania mountain wilderness is the most remarkable mountain road journey in Central Greece, its remarkable hairpin bends above river gorges and the extraordinary chestnut forest giving the finest mountain driving in Greece. Karpenisi, the capital of Evritania, is known as the Switzerland of Greece for its extraordinary mountain scenery. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Delphi ancient gymnasium below the main sanctuary is the finest hidden ancient sports complex in Greece, its remarkable running track and bathing facilities used by athletes training for the Pythian Games entirely overlooked by visitors. Free with Delphi site ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Arachova kafeneion before driving Outstanding Greek coffee and local pastries in the finest mountain village in Central Greece. | Lunch: Taverna at Thermopylae Outstanding local Central Greek cuisine near the extraordinary battlefield. | Dinner: Mountain taverna in Karpenisi Outstanding local Evritania cuisine. Extraordinary wild mushrooms, local lamb and mountain honey.
DAY 5
PROUSSOS AND THE AGRAFA WILDERNESS
MORNING
PROUSSOS MONASTERY AND THE KARPENISIOTIS GORGE
The Proussos monastery is the most extraordinary hidden monastery in Central Greece, its remarkable position at the end of a dramatic gorge carved into the Evritania mountains giving the most extraordinary monastery approach in Greece after Meteora. The monastery, built into a cave in the cliff face, is dedicated to a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary and has been a pilgrimage site since the 9th century. The extraordinary gorge walk to the monastery is the finest in Evritania. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MEGALO HORIO AND THE AGRAFA MOUNTAINS
The Agrafa mountain range above Karpenisi is the most extraordinary hidden wilderness in Central Greece, its remarkable peaks and valleys so remote that they were never catalogued by the Ottoman tax authorities, hence their name meaning the unwritten. The extraordinary traditional village of Megalo Horio gives the finest surviving Vlach stone architecture in Evritania. The remarkable views from the village over the Karpenisiotis valley are extraordinary. Free. Drive: 2 hr drive to Athens or Kalambaka
AFTERNOON
RETURN JOURNEY
The return from Karpenisi to Athens takes approximately 3 hours through the extraordinary mountain roads of Evritania and Fthiotida. The remarkable drive through the Spercheios valley below the Othrys mountains gives the finest closing panorama of Central Greece. Alternatively return to Kalambaka for the train to Athens or Thessaloniki. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kremasta Lake in Evritania is the largest artificial lake in Greece, its remarkable flooded valley containing the submerged ghost village of Kastrakion, whose church tower still emerges from the water when the lake level drops in summer. The most extraordinary hidden sight in Central Greece. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mountain cafe in Karpenisi Outstanding local breakfast. Extraordinary local honey and mountain pastries before the Proussos drive. | Lunch: Taverna in Proussos village Outstanding local Evritania cuisine near the extraordinary hidden monastery. | Dinner: Return journey stop in Lamia Outstanding grilled souvlaki in the finest stop on the Central Greece motorway.
Where To Stay
Kalambaka, Nights 1 to 2 Meteora Hotel or Doupiani House with rock views. Approx 60 to 140 euros per night. Delphi or Arachova, Nights 3 to 4 Hotel Varonos Delphi or Arachova guesthouses. Approx 60 to 120 euros. Karpenisi, Night 5 Enetiko or Elati resort hotels. Mountain setting, excellent value. Approx 60 to 100 euros.
Top Tips
1. Meteora monasteries open different days. Check the weekly schedule: no single day allows all 6 monasteries.
2. Arrive at the Great Meteoron at 9am opening. Coach tours fill the courtyard by 11am. Morning light is extraordinary.
3. Delphi at 8am opening: the finest light on the Temple of Apollo and the Tholos. Zero crowds before 10am.
4. Hosios Loukas: the finest Byzantine mosaics in Greece outside Athens. Almost no foreign visitors. Free with site ticket.
5. Thermopylae: the Leonidas statue and battlefield are free. The hot spring spa nearby has been operating since antiquity.
6. Proussos Monastery in Evritania: the most dramatic monastery setting in Greece after Meteora. Almost entirely unknown.
Total Budget
70 to 130 euros/day