Meteora Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Meteora has to be seen to be believed. Ancient monasteries perch precariously on top of pillars of rock that seem to reach up to the heavens. The landscape truly is otherworldly. This is a magical place and a must visit in Greece. Find out everything you need to know about Meteora in this Meteora Destination Guide.

What is Meteora Greece known for?

Meteora is known for its monasteries. Feats of engineering, these structures date back to the 13^th and 14^th centuries and are perched on top of towering stone pillars as if suspended in the air. It’s no wonder that this site is UNESCO Heritage listed. For those familiar with the rock band Linkin Park, you may recognise the name Meteora as the title of the band’s second studio album.

Why you should visit Meteora Greece

The otherworldly setting of Meteora is impressive enough itself, but add to that centuries old monasteries between heaven and earth and you get something truly spectacular. Meteora is a true marvel of engineering and a destination that deserves a spot on your Greece bucket list. It is a beautiful area to walk around and the architecture of the different monasteries are fascinating sights to behold. Those interested in history will particularly enjoy this area.

Meteora Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Meteora Greece

• City name in Greek – Μετέωρα.
• Language – Greek. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English.
• Currency – euro (EUR). This has been the official currency of Greece since 2001. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 22,000 (2011)
• Area – 1,658 km² (640 sq mi)
• Administrative region – Thessaly
• Regional unit – Trikala
• Emergency number – 112
• Police number – 100, 171 (tourist police)

Utilities in Meteora Greece

• Electricity – Greece uses Type C and also Type F power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are common in Greece.
• Water – the tap water in Meteora is safe to drink.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Greece, although Turkish style squat toilets can be found in some places. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. Public toilets are uncommon in Greece. Furthermore the public toilets that are around often have the toilet seat missing and have a charge for use. The charge is usually around 50 cents.
• Telephone country code: +30

Where is Meteora Greece?

Meteora is in the Thessaly region of northern Greece. It is an inland city of mainland Greece and is located near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains.

The closest major Greek cities to Meteora are Kalabaka, Larissa as well as Ioannina. It is 360km (224miles) northwest of Athens and 225km (140miles) southwest of Thessaloniki. Meteora is 40 minutes walk from Kalabaka. Kalabaka is 1.5 hours by train from Larissa, 2 hours 15 minutes by bus from Ioannina and 5 hours by train from Athens.

How to get to Meteora Greece

Meteora destination guide: Arriving by land

Meteora Greece intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Meteora Greece are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Shuttle Bus
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Meteora from within Greece

If you are driving to Meteora from within Greece, here are the travel times and distances:

• Kalabaka – 10 minutes (4km, 2.5miles) without tolls
• Larissa – 1 hour 25 minutes (86km, 54miles) without tolls
• Ioannina – 2 hours (104km, 65miles) with tolls or 2 hours 30 minutes (116km, 72miles) without tolls
• Volos – 2 hours 20 minutes (147km, 91miles) with tolls or 2 hours 30 minutes (151km, 94miles) without tolls
• Thessaloniki – 3 hours 20 minutes (225km, 140miles) with tolls or 4 hours (243km, 151miles) without tolls
• Patras – 4 hours 20 minutes (309km, 192miles) with tolls or 5 hours 40 minutes (333km, 207miles) without tolls
• Athens – 5 hours (358km, 222miles) with tolls or 5 hours 50 minutes (345km, 214miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Meteora Greece

There are no trains in or near Meteora Greece. The closest train station is Kalambaka train station in Kalabaka, which is 40 minutes walk or 10 minutes drive away. This station is on the Palaiofarsalos–Kalambaka railway line. From Palaiofarsalos there are trains to Athens, Larissa and also Thessaloniki.

Intercity buses to Meteora Greece

A common way to get around Greece is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and the network is also extensive. KTEL is a popular intercity bus company in Greece. Buses run between Meteora and Kalambaka on weekdays for 1.60 euro. Popular bus destinations from Kalambaka include:

• Trikala Greece – travel time 17 minutes. Tickets 2.40 euro one way. Many buses go through here to get to places like Thessaloniki, Athens and Larissa.
• Ioannina Greece – travel time 2 hour 15 minutes. Tickets 12.50 euro one way.
• Athens Greece – travel time 5 hours 15 minutes. Tickets 29 euro one way.
• Corfu Greece – travel time 5 hours 15 minutes. Tickets 21.70 euro one way.

For more information, see this website: https://www.ktel-trikala.gr/?module=default&pages_id=5&lang=en

Meteora destination guide: Arriving by air

There are no airports in Meteora. The closest airport to Meteora is Ioannina National Airport (Airport code IOA). This airport is 109km (68 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Kozani National Airport (Airport code KZI). This airport is 120km (75 miles) away.
• Kastoria National Airport (Airport code KSO). This airport is 122km (76 miles) away.
• Nea Anchialos National Airport in Volos (Airport code VOL). This airport is 146km (91 miles) away.

The national airline of Greece is Aegean Airlines S.A..

Meteora destination guide: Arriving by boat

Meteora is an inland city. The closest port to Meteora is Volos, which is 2 hours drive away.

Meteora destination guide: How to get around Meteora Greece

Walking in Meteora Greece

By far the easiest and also the cheapest way to get around Meteora is to walk. Most of the main attractions in the city area are within easy walking distance.

Local buses in Meteora Greece

Local buses service Meteora.

Trams in Meteora Greece

Meteora does not have a tram system.

Local trains in Meteora Greece

There are no trains in Meteora. The closest train station is Kalambaka train station in Kalabaka.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Meteora Greece

Meteora does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Meteora Greece

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Greece. This includes:

• Bicycles – you can hire a bike from a bike hire shop such as Meteora E Bike.
• Electric scooters
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Boats

Drivers in Greece drive on the right side of the road.

Taxis in Greece

Taxis are common in Greece. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. However outside of major cities taxis may not have meters. In this case the fare will be a fixed price. However in general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle. This is set at 3.70 euro (price as at 2023).
• Price per kilometre. This is set at 1.50 euro (price at 2023). A higher charge may be levied at night.
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.

There may also be extra charges for heavy luggage and for larger groups.

Ensure the meter is turned on when you get into the vehicle.

It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers in Greece. At most, Greeks may round up the fare to the nearest dollar as a tip.

Ride-share services in Meteora Greece

Meteora does not have any ride-share services.

Meteora destination guide: Is Meteora worth visiting?

Without a doubt Meteora is worth visiting. This stunning Greek destination is truly magical and there’s nothing quite like experiencing it for yourself. We highly recommend adding Meteora to your Greece itinerary.

Meteora destination guide: How long to spend in Meteora Greece

The landscape around Meteora is otherworldly. It’s an amazing place to explore and also provides plenty of great photo opportunities. It’s possible to visit Meteora as a day trip, but you could easily spend a few days here visiting all of the monasteries and enjoying the area. We spent 2 days in Meteora and enjoyed slowing down and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Meteora destination guide: What to do in Meteora Greece

Meteora is a unique Greek destination with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Meteora destination guide: Free things to do in Meteora Greece

There are enough free activities in Meteora Greece to keep you entertained for a day or two:

• Main Observation Deck of Meteora
• Viewpoint Meteora
• Ascent trail to Holy Trinity Monastery
• Kalambaka Library
• Theopetra Cave Museum
• Geological Formation Museum of Meteora

For more details, see our Meteora travel guide on the 6 Best Free Things To Do in Meteora Greece.

Meteora destination guide: Paid activities in Meteora Greece

A number of attractions in Meteora Greece charge an entry fee:

• Great Meteoron Monastery – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Varlaam Monastery – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum – entry fee is 5 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Agios Stefanos – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Roussanou Monastery – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas – entry fee is 3 euro for adults (as at 2023).
• Museum of Greek Education – entry fee is 4 euro for adults (as at 2022).
• Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary – entry fee is 2 euro for adults (as at 2022).
• Ieros Naos Kimiseos tis Theotokou – entry fee is 2 euro for adults (as at 2022).

Weather in Meteora Greece

Meteora enjoys a warm temperate climate. It has cold winters, with average temperature range between 1°C and 9°C in the coldest month of January. Snow is not uncommon during this period. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 18°C and 33°C in the hottest month of July. The month with the most rainfall is November with 8.0 days of rain on average and conversely the driest month is July with an average of 2.4 rainy days.

Best time to visit Meteora Greece

Meteora is a very popular tourist destination, with crowds peaking in the summer months of July and August. This time of the year is also very hot, making hiking around the sites an arduous task. We visited in early June and both the heat and the bus loads of tourists had already arrived in earnest. For much pleasant weather, less crowds and lower accommodation prices, we recommend visiting Meteora between April and May or September to October.

Internet and mobile phones in Greece

Since June 15th, 2017, Roam Like at Home (RLAT) rules came into force for European Union countries. Due to these rules, people with European Union mobile numbers are no longer charged temporary mobile roaming fees if they travel within the European Union. Consequently if you have a European Union mobile number, you can use that number anywhere within the European Union and you will be charged for calls, texts and data in the same rates as if you were in your home country. There are limits to this in order to prevent abuse of these rules.

There are three major internet and phone companies in Greece – Wind, Cosmote as well as Vodafone.

5G has been in Greece since December 2020. 2G is expected to be switched off in Greece in December 2025 and 3G is expected to be switched off in December 2022.

Greece is ranked 28^th fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 94^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 45mbps and upload is 8mbps (as at May 2023).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Greece. These include phone stores, from street vendors as well as at airports.

How much to budget for Meteora Greece?

Is Meteora expensive?

Meteora is a very budget-friendly place to visit. Each monastery costs 3 euro to enter, so if you visit all six, the total cost is 18 euro. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far you can always hike to each monastery and view them from the outside. And if your budget can only cover visiting one of two monasteries we recommend visiting Varlaam and the Great Meteoron Monastery. Additionally, accommodation in nearby Kalabaka is very affordable and if you hike and bring a packed lunch you can further keep costs down.

Meteora destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Meteora Greece

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 100 euro per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, self catering and bakery meals, walking or catching local transport to get around the city and also free or cheap activities.
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, walking or catching local transport to get around the city, dining at reasonably priced cafes and restaurants as well as some paid activities.
• Luxury spend – 700 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience, staying at high end hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range paid activities as well as eating at high end restaurants.

Meteora destination guide: Accommodation in Meteora Greece

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Meteora Greece. Airbnb operates in Greece.

Where to stay in Meteora Greece

We recommend staying in nearby Kalabaka when visiting Meteora. Kalabaka is scenic half-hour hike from the monasteries at Meteora.

We recommend the following accommodation in Kalabaka:

• Best hostel in Kalabaka – Meteora Central Hostel is run by a lovely couple who are very hospitable and knowledgeable about the area. The location is conveniently close to plenty of restaurants as well as the train station. Everything is spotlessly clean and well-designed. The curtains on the beds are also a nice touch.
• Best budget hotel in Kalabaka – Hotel Gogos is nestled under the majestic rocks, offering breathtaking views of Meteora. Furthermore, its convenient location near the monasteries makes visiting Meteora easy and enjoyable. The rooms are spotless and the hosts are warm and hospitable. It is in a tranquil location and has a beautiful garden area.
• Best mid-range hotel in Kalabaka – Centro Urban Suites is a contemporary hotel with incredible views of Meteora. It is spotlessly clean, new and well-equipped. Restaurants and a supermarket are close by and it is also within easy reach of the monasteries. The rooms are spacious, nicely styled with a very comfortable bed and the hosts are warm and hospitable.
• Best guesthouse in Kalabaka – Oikia Guesthouse is a beautiful property with stunning views of Meteora. You can relax and marvel at the mountains from its rooftop patio. The rooms are stylish and cosy, with extremely comfortable beds. The owners provide exceptional hospitality and have a wealth of knowledge about the area. Don’t miss their delicious breakfasts, which are worth every cent. The location is also perfect, as it is in a peaceful area but also near many great restaurants.
• Best luxury apartments in Kalabaka – Meteora Heaven and Earth Kastraki premium suites is a stunning property that combines elegance and comfort. The interior design is exquisite, and the suite well equipped. Additionally, the bed is enormous and cosy and the balcony offers breathtaking views.
• Best value apartments in Kalabaka – we stayed at Del Sol Meteora. The apartments were spacious, clean and comfortable. They were also centrally located.

How much is accommodation in Meteora Greece?

When visiting Meteora, we recommend staying in the nearby town of Kalabaka (also spelled Kalambaka or Kalampaka). Kalabaka is 40 minutes walk away from Meteora or a short drive or bus ride away.

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 15-18 euro for a dorm
• Mid-range accommodation – 45-150 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – 150-200 euro a night for a luxury hotel
• Rental property – 70-400 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home

Meteora destination guide: Food in Meteora Greece

Being inland, meat dishes are very popular in Meteora. Most restaurants, eateries and bakeries are in nearby Kalabaka (also spelled Kalambaka or Kalampaka).

How much does food cost in Meteora Greece?

Our price guide for your food budget in Meteora Greece (or Kalambaka Greece) is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 10-25 euro for a main dish
• Bakery food (bread/pastry/cakes) – 1-2.50 euro
• Glass of wine – 5-7 euro
• Coffee – 2-3 euro

Couvert charge for restaurants in Greece

Most restaurants will charge a couvert charge if you are dining in. This cover charge is usually around 1-3 euro, but may be higher in touristy areas. It is a fixed per person charge and covers things like table linen, tableware as well as bread.

Service charge for restaurants in Greece

Some restaurants also charge a service charge. This service charge is generally around 5-15%. The service charge is instead of a tip. If you see a service charge listed on the bill, there is no need to leave an additional tip.

Regional dishes in Meteora Greece

• Goat with macaroni
• Spatula Kalambakas – a sponge cake with nuts (usually walnuts) with a light syrup that is topped with pastry cream, walnuts and cinnamon.
• Meatballs – particularly soutzoukakia and keftedes

Other traditional Greek dishes found in Meteora

• Moussaka
• Cheese Saganaki
• Souvlaki & Gyros
• Pies – in particular spanakopita and tiropita

Cheap Eats in Meteora Greece

• Souvlaki as well as gyros are our go to cheap eats option in Greece. Expect to pay around 5-6 euro per serving (prices as at 2022).

Meteora Greece culture

Greece national holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• Epiphany – 6 January
• Clean Monday – 1^st day of lent for Orthodox Christians, typically March or April
• Independence Day – 25 March
• Orthodox Good Friday – typically in April or May.
• Orthodox Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Day, typically in April or May.
• Labour Day – 1 May
• The Ochi Day (Mera tu Ochi) – 28 October
• Christmas Day – 25 December
• St Stephen’s Day – 26 December

National symbols of Greece

• Greece flag – a sky blue and white flag with nine equal alternating stripes of five blue and also four white. Additionally, in the upper hoist-side corner there is a blue square bearing a white cross.
• Greece coat of arms – a white cross on the blue shield surrounded by two laurel branches.
• National flower – laurel
• National bird – little owl
• Greece national animal – dolphin

Greece pastimes

• National dish – moussaka
• Popular drinks – ouzo, Ellinikos Kaffés (Greek coffee), frappe, Greek wine
• National sport – football (soccer)
• Religion – 90% Greek Orthodox, 3% Other Christians, 2% Islam (as at 2017)

Famous people from Meteora Greece

• Famous people born near Meteora Greece – Demoulas family (owners of a supermarket chain)
• Sports stars from near Meteora Greece – footballer Kostas Fortounis, footballer Christos Albanis

Is Meteora Greece Safe?

Greece travel guide: Safety in Greece

We travelled through Greece for two weeks and found the country to be extremely safe. Greece ranks 54^th safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2023). As with any country, there are good areas as well as bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets particularly at crowded tourist attractions. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Greece

Other general safety considerations for travel in Greece:

• Drinking water – the tap water in Greece is safe to drink in most major cities in mainland Greece. However tap water quality varies throughout Greece, particularly on the islands. If in doubt, ask at your accommodation.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been found in Greece. This type of mosquito spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya. After being eradicated in 1974, malaria returned to Greece in 2011. It is generally limited to May to October and only in some agricultural areas.
• Altitude sickness – Greece has areas of high altitude. This comes with the risk of altitude sickness. If you are planning to visit any high altitude areas in Greece, be sure to allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience any signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk on Greece. Road conditions are an issue, particularly in rural areas as well as in inclement weather conditions.
• Water safety – If you visit any of the islands, coastal areas or lakes, take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Greece experiences earthquake activity. If you experience an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls as well as anything that could fall. If you are inside get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If you are outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and also long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.

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