Meteora

In Central Greece, a sacred site of otherworldly rock pillars hosts the most marvelous monasteries in all of Europe. With a single glimpse, Meteora bewilders visitors into silence. Almost as lofty and atmospheric as the Buddhist temples in the Himalayas, this natural playground has the looks of a floating wonderland in the morning mist.

The sheer rock formations that draw thousands of visitors served as a repellent for the faint-hearted in ancient times. Meteora’s main duty was to keep the dwellings of hermits hidden from intruders. In the 14th century, it was its out-of-reach location that made the site so appealing to the monks. For whatever purpose, Meteora has been a place of ethereal sensations for ages. Today, it continues to be a working religious sanctuary. 

Six of the 24 original towering monasteries remain to this day, and the site is UNESCO-listed for its captivating landscape. The Monastery of Great Meteoron is the first and the largest. There, an intricate Byzantine artistic design awaits in its churches. Less grandiose but far more intimate, Roussanou Monastery has the best scenery of the surrounding cliffs. You can access each of the Meteora monasteries via an exhilarating ascent. Once you are at the top, savor breathtaking views and the absorbing architecture.