The six Meteora monasteries: which to see if you only go inside three
There were once 24 monasteries on the rocks; 13 still stand and six can be visited. Hardly anyone goes inside all six in a day: for time, for legs, and because one closes every day. This is the guide to choosing. Entry: €5 cash at each one.
Great Meteoron (Transfiguration)
The biggest, the highest and the most visited. If you only go inside one, this is it. Downsides: it closes at 15:00 year-round and on Tuesdays (in winter Wednesdays and Thursdays too), and mid-morning in high season there is a queue. See it first, at the 09:30 opening.
Varlaam
Great Meteoron’s neighbour, and the one usually paired with it: you see both in the same morning. A tidy courtyard, a frescoed church and the famous winch that hauled up supplies and monks. Closed on Fridays (in winter, Thursdays and Fridays) and at 16:00. Also very busy.
Roussanou
The postcard one: small, perched on a narrow rock and surrounded by greenery. It is a convent of nuns, and the easiest to reach of those up on the rocks. Closed on Wednesdays; in summer open until 16:30 (in winter until 14:00, Sundays until 16:00).
Holy Trinity (Agia Triada)
The most isolated and the one with the steepest climb: you drop into the ravine and climb back up rock-cut stairs. That is why it is the quietest, and the one with the views over Kalambaka. Open 10:00 to 16:00 and closed on Thursdays. In rain or ice, think twice.
St Stephen’s (Agios Stefanos)
The only one with easy access: you enter over a small bridge from the road, no stairs. Ideal with small children, older people or limited mobility. A convent of nuns. Closed on Mondays and at midday (13:30–15:30 in summer; 13:00–15:30 in winter): do not turn up at two.
St Nicholas Anapausas
The smallest and the first you reach coming up from Kastraki. Steep climb and few people, with frescoes many consider the best of the lot. Closed on Fridays; in summer it is the latest to close, at 17:00.
What if I only go inside three?
The classic combination, and the one the tours do, is Great Meteoron + Varlaam + one more (Roussanou or St Stephen’s, depending on the day and your legs). If you want quiet, swap Varlaam for Holy Trinity or St Nicholas. And if you go on a Tuesday, Great Meteoron drops off the list: go into Varlaam, Roussanou and St Stephen’s.