Meteora, Athens

Meteora Tours & Tickets

Did you know? Meteora

Meteora's monasteries were built atop natural rock pillars that formed over 60 million years ago from sediment deposits and erosion in an ancient sea.

Monks originally accessed the monasteries using ladders, ropes, and nets—some of which remained in use until the 1920s when stairs were carved into the rock.

Of the original 24 monasteries built between the 14th and 16th centuries, only 6 remain active today with small monastic communities.

Meteora was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 for both its outstanding natural geology and its exceptional Byzantine architectural and artistic heritage.

The name 'Meteora' comes from the Greek word meaning 'suspended in the air' or 'in the heavens above.'

The rock pillars reach heights of up to 400 meters (1,300 feet) and were formed by the Pineios River eroding the surrounding landscape.

Meteora: frequently asked questions