The monasteries of the Great Meteor, Varlaam, Roussanou, Agios Stefanos, Agios Nikolaos, and the Holy Trinity Monastery are the first things to see in this magical place. They perfectly represent the history of Meteora's monastic community, which settled in the 14th century. There are currently 24 monasteries in Meteora, but only six are still active. ►
The monasteries of the Great Meteor, Varlaam, Roussanou, Agios Stefanos, Agios Nikolaos, and the Holy Trinity Monastery are the first things to see in this magical place. They perfectly represent the history of Meteora's monastic community, which settled in the 14th century. There are currently 24 monasteries in Meteora, but only six are still active. One of the culminating activities to do in Meteora is hiking. It is the best way to explore the place while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Between the monasteries, there is a dense network of hiking trails that both monks and pilgrims use. To go there, you can start from the city of Kalambaka and the village of Kaski. With some luck, you will also pass by the rock of Agio Pnevma and the hermit's caves. Another activity to do is the conquest of the via Ferrata of the Great Saint. It is the highest cliff in Meteora and rises about 430 meters above Kalambaka. This exhilarating excursion ends at the fortress of an ancient city where you can admire the exceptional view of the region, the village of Kastaki, and the entire plain of Thessaly. Meteora is also highly known as an ideal destination for foodies. You certainly won't be disappointed between the dishes, local produce, and wineries in Kalambaka. Then, the dense forests all around Meteora offer adventurers the opportunity to hunt truffles and mushrooms. Moreover, this activity is highlighted in the Natural History Museum of Meteora, which hosts an annual mushroom festival around September. If mountain biking or rafting are things you like, you will be amazed at the incomparable landscapes. A mountain bike tour will give you access to roads and off-piste trails to visit monasteries in the countryside, including Ypapanti. As for rafting, you practice it on the Pinios River through a beautiful marine crossing to discover the vast rock formations before landing at a place to picnic or swim. ◄
