Meteora: Monasteries Above the Clouds
This post is part of our Europe Travel Series. In my previous posts, I shared our experiences in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Athens. If you’d like to follow our journey from the beginning, you can start reading the series here. If you’d like to read the previous post, please read it here.
We had read about the Meteora monasteries and watched YouTube videos but seeing them in person for the first time left us absolutely speechless. I’ll share all the wonderful details of this unforgettable experience in this post.
After breakfast, we packed our luggage and got on the bus. We started around 8:00 AM, and just 10 minutes into the journey, we saw the sight we had been looking forward to—the magnificent monasteries of Meteora perched high on top of the mountains. Perched dramatically atop towering rock formations, they looked almost unreal. Our jaws dropped as we finally stood there and saw them with our own eyes.
The history of these monasteries is fascinating. Monks began settling in the caves and cliffs of Meteora around the 11th century, seeking solitude and protection. By the 14th and 15th centuries, they began building monasteries on these seemingly inaccessible rock formations.
Over time, they carved steps into the rock and built paths to make access easier. What is remarkable is that they managed to construct entire monasteries—with churches, living quarters, kitchens, storage rooms, and walls—on these remote mountaintops using such simple tools and methods. We were visiting Meteora on a Tuesday, and unfortunately, the Great Meteoron Monastery was closed that day. So instead, we visited Varlaam Monastery, the second largest of the Meteora monasteries.
Varlaam is one of the most beautiful and well-known monasteries in Meteora. Built in the 16th century on a dramatic rock pillar, it feels both peaceful and remarkably well preserved. Standing there, surrounded by enormous cliffs and the vast valley below, it was easy to imagine how isolated and challenging monastic life must once have been.
One of the interesting things we saw was the traditional rope-and-pulley system that was once used to lift supplies up the steep cliffs. Looking at it, you could only imagine how difficult it must have been to transport food, materials, and other necessities to a monastery perched so high above the valley.
Next, we visited Saint Stephen’s Monastery. The approach to this monastery was much easier and gentler compared with some of the other monasteries, making it much more accessible.
We watched another monastery, the Saint Stephen. The monastery has a long history dating back to the 14th–15th century and has experienced periods of damage, abandonment, and restoration. Today, however, it is once again a living place of worship and an active monastic community rather than simply a historical monument.
Together, these two monasteries showed us two very different sides of Meteora: one majestic and towering, the other humble and intimate. Yet both were equally powerful in their stillness, both shaped by centuries of faith resting on stone.
We returned from the monasteries around 11:30 AM and began our journey back toward Athens. Throughout the drive, our guide continued sharing interesting insights about the regions and cities we were passing through—their economy, political background, historical importance, and agricultural life. The bus itself was very comfortable, with large windows that allowed us to fully enjoy the mountains, valleys, villages, and countryside scenery along the way.
Listening to those stories while watching the changing landscapes outside made the journey feel much more meaningful and informative. Greece was slowly revealing itself to us not just through its famous historical sites, but also through its villages, farmland, mountains, and everyday life. We stopped along the way at roadside restaurants for lunch and coffee breaks, which gave the long journey a relaxed pace.
By around 6 PM, we were back in Athens. We got down at Monastiraki Square and took a taxi to our Airbnb. This time, we stayed in the Spata area, closer to the airport, since we had an early morning flight to Santorini the next day.
The Airbnb was absolutely beautiful. The host personally welcomed us and explained everything about the house. He had thoughtfully stocked the kitchen with fruits, bread, juices, drinks, and other essentials. Even the toiletries were carefully arranged, including makeup remover and other small touches that made the place feel warm and luxurious.
The house itself was artistically decorated, full of character and charm. It felt more like a thoughtfully designed home than simply a place to stay. We honestly wished we could have stayed there longer.
Most of the people around us were locals, and the whole area reminded us of one of the smaller towns in India—but much neater and quieter. The courtyards were tiny and charming, decorated with little plants and flowers. Along the streets were small bookstores, pharmacies, supermarkets, sweet shops, and family-run stores, all giving the neighborhood a warm, lived-in feeling.
We truly liked that area and its simplicity. After spending days visiting grand historical sites and famous tourist destinations, there was something especially comforting about ending the day in an ordinary neighborhood, watching everyday life unfold around us.
Over time, they carved steps into the rock and built paths to make access easier. What is remarkable is that they managed to construct entire monasteries—with churches, living quarters, kitchens, storage rooms, and walls—on these remote mountaintops using such simple tools and methods. We were visiting Meteora on a Tuesday, and unfortunately, the Great Meteoron Monastery was closed that day. So instead, we visited Varlaam Monastery, the second largest of the Meteora monasteries.
Varlaam is one of the most beautiful and well-known monasteries in Meteora. Built in the 16th century on a dramatic rock pillar, it feels both peaceful and remarkably well preserved. Standing there, surrounded by enormous cliffs and the vast valley below, it was easy to imagine how isolated and challenging monastic life must once have been.
The highlight inside was the church, covered with incredibly detailed frescoes depicting religious scenes. Those paintings, created centuries ago, remain beautifully preserved. Photography is not allowed inside the church, which makes the experience feel even quieter and more respectful.
We also visited the small museum, where old objects used by the monks are carefully preserved. Overall, Varlaam felt calm, historic, and surprisingly intimate. It gave us a real sense of how monks lived in such an isolated and dramatic setting.
Next, we visited Saint Stephen’s Monastery. The approach to this monastery was much easier and gentler compared with some of the other monasteries, making it much more accessible.
We watched another monastery, the Saint Stephen. The monastery has a long history dating back to the 14th–15th century and has experienced periods of damage, abandonment, and restoration. Today, however, it is once again a living place of worship and an active monastic community rather than simply a historical monument.
While many of Meteora’s monasteries are male monastic communities, Saint Stephen’s is a female monastery, home to nuns. It is one of the few active female monastic communities in Meteora, where the nuns continue a quiet life dedicated to prayer, simplicity, and service. The atmosphere reflected that beautifully. It felt calm, warm, and peaceful, with a softer and more welcoming energy than the rugged cliff-top monasteries.
Although Saint Stephen’s is smaller and less imposing than Varlaam, it has its own quiet charm. The interiors are beautifully preserved, with religious icons, candlelight, and a stillness that naturally makes you slow down.
Overall, Saint Stephen’s felt simple, serene, and deeply calming—a gentle contrast to the dramatic cliff-top monasteries we had seen earlier.
Together, these two monasteries showed us two very different sides of Meteora: one majestic and towering, the other humble and intimate. Yet both were equally powerful in their stillness, both shaped by centuries of faith resting on stone.
We returned from the monasteries around 11:30 AM and began our journey back toward Athens. Throughout the drive, our guide continued sharing interesting insights about the regions and cities we were passing through—their economy, political background, historical importance, and agricultural life. The bus itself was very comfortable, with large windows that allowed us to fully enjoy the mountains, valleys, villages, and countryside scenery along the way.
Listening to those stories while watching the changing landscapes outside made the journey feel much more meaningful and informative. Greece was slowly revealing itself to us not just through its famous historical sites, but also through its villages, farmland, mountains, and everyday life. We stopped along the way at roadside restaurants for lunch and coffee breaks, which gave the long journey a relaxed pace.
By around 6 PM, we were back in Athens. We got down at Monastiraki Square and took a taxi to our Airbnb. This time, we stayed in the Spata area, closer to the airport, since we had an early morning flight to Santorini the next day.
The Airbnb was absolutely beautiful. The host personally welcomed us and explained everything about the house. He had thoughtfully stocked the kitchen with fruits, bread, juices, drinks, and other essentials. Even the toiletries were carefully arranged, including makeup remover and other small touches that made the place feel warm and luxurious.
The house itself was artistically decorated, full of character and charm. It felt more like a thoughtfully designed home than simply a place to stay. We honestly wished we could have stayed there longer.
That evening, we strolled through the neighborhood and had dinner at a restaurant recommended by our host. The food was really good, and cats wandered freely around the streets and outdoor seating areas, adding to the relaxed local atmosphere.
Most of the people around us were locals, and the whole area reminded us of one of the smaller towns in India—but much neater and quieter. The courtyards were tiny and charming, decorated with little plants and flowers. Along the streets were small bookstores, pharmacies, supermarkets, sweet shops, and family-run stores, all giving the neighborhood a warm, lived-in feeling.
We truly liked that area and its simplicity. After spending days visiting grand historical sites and famous tourist destinations, there was something especially comforting about ending the day in an ordinary neighborhood, watching everyday life unfold around us.
The next day we visited our dream destination; Santorini. You can read those details here.
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