Is Meteora Worth Visiting in Winter?
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Meteora is a place you have likely seen and marvelled at during some time in your life. Located in Greece, this rock formation is home to one of the most beautiful monastery complexes in the world. With its imposing pillars, gigantic boulders and intricate churches, it’s no wonder that visitors keep coming back to Meteora. Quite simply put, it is one of the best places I’ve visited in all my travels.
Most will Meteora during summer, but what is Meteora like in winter? Is it cold? Does it look any different? Is it still worth visiting? We answer these questions to help you make the decision of whether or not to visit Meteora during winter.
👉 Want to follow in our footsteps and visit Meteora the same way we did? Check out this Full Day Meteora & Hermit Caves Tour From Athens.
Brief History About Meteora
“Meteora” translates to “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens”, and so it certainly is a fitting location for the striking holy monasteries that encompass the entire area. The first hermit monks arrived in Meteora around the 11th century, seeking complete solitude and spiritual isolation. Today, you can still see the outside of these hermit caves (though not all tours will include this on their itinerary, but my tour did) and imagine the remarkable lives these monks had.
Over the 14th and 15th centuries, the monasteries of Meteora expanded and continued to be built upon these tall pinnacles. There are six active monasteries at Meteora currently, and these are Great Meteoron, Vaarlam Monastery, Rousanou Monastery, St. Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery, Monastery of the Holy Trinity and St Stephen’s Monastery.
Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the holiest places in Greece when it comes to Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Getting to Meteora in the Winter
By Guided Tour
Meteora is located near the picturesque town of Kalambaka, and although worth visiting and exploring in its own right, those short on time will likely try to visit from the more popular cities of Athens, the capital, or Thessaloniki.
It’s possible to rent a car and visit Meteora yourself independently, but we wouldn’t recommend this option because of the sheer length of the drive. From Athens, driving to Meteora takes over 4 hours, non-stop. From Thessaloniki, the drive takes about 3 hours. Plus, parking is difficult to find around the area.
Therefore, we think the best way to visit Meteora is by guided tour. By choosing a reputable tour, your transport will all be handled seamlessly. Plus, Meteora is a place with such religious and historic significance that I think having a tour guide will really enhance the overall experience. I don’t think this applies to all places, but Meteora is definitely a destination that I would recommend hiring a guide for.
👉 This is the tour we did: Full Day Meteora & Hermit Caves Tour From Athens.
We chose this tour based on the volume of near-perfect reviews, and the fact that they also include stops that other itineraries often neglect (e.g. the hermit caves, the village of Kastraki, various viewpoints for photography). The tour was absolutely excellent – it was a long day but undeniably great. My guide was super friendly, patient and unbelievable knowledgeable.
If you’re looking for a tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki, check out this highly-rated tour.
Can I reach Meteora using public transport?
Yes, you can get to Meteora using public transport but it’s a little inconvenient. Usually, you’d be able to take a 4-5 hour train from Athens Larissa Railway Station to Kalambaka Station. From Kalambaka Station, you would then take a local bus service that would take you to the monasteries.
However, as of January 2024, the railway infrastructure that would usually take you through this route has not fully recovered from devastating floods caused in 2023. On my day of visiting Meteora, taking the train was not an option.
Benefits of Visiting Meteora in the Winter
Let’s get into the reasons why visiting Meteora is better in the winter.
Low season means less tourists
Meteora is always pretty crowded (deservedly so, it really is that stunning), but the crowds definitely dwindle by the time winter rolls around. Winter is typically low season for Meteora, and you’ll be able to feel that on a winter visit.
The space in the monasteries is pretty tight, so this lack of crowding is very much appreciated and welcomed!
Meteora is still as beautiful in the winter
Honestly, visually speaking, there isn’t that much difference with how Meteora looks in the winter compared to the summer. You still get the same magnificent rock formations, same impressive mountains in the background and same monasteries.
The only difference is that you might a blanket of snow cover Meteora in the peak of winter (around January), in which case the entire area turns into a gorgeous winter wonderland.
Winter is mild in Meteora
Although the temperature is colder in the winter – in general – winter is mild at Meteora, and the rest of Greece for that matter. During these months, you can expect about an average of between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius during the day.
During my visit, I only wore a moderate hoodie and long pants, and that was enough to keep me warm.
Disadvantages of Visiting Meteora in the Winter
So what are some potential disadvantages of visiting Meteora in the winter? Well, there are a few, but these definitely aren’t dealbreakers.
Shorter sunlight and opening hours
Between November to March, different monasteries shorten their opening times to varying degrees. For example, the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron moves its opening time backwards by half an hour, and closes an hour earlier at 2pm. Some monasteries, such as the Holy Trinity Monastery don’t change their opening times at all. This can be a bit of an inconvenience when planning as it obviously means you have less time to visit the monasteries.
Furthermore, the sun sets a lot quicker during the winter. If you want to visit panoramic viewpoints like the Sunset Viewpoint, this puts a little bit more pressure on your sightseeing to be completed at a faster pace.
Holiday season is still quite crowded
Winter is a less busy time in general to visit Meteora, with one exception – holiday season. This is around the time between Christmas and the first week of January. As is usually the case in pretty much any tourist destination, this is a busy time for Meteora and it’s unlikely that you’ll have the monasteries to yourself.
What is the best time to visit Meteora?
Meteora’s official winter season is between November 1 to March 31. If you had the choice, I would recommend visiting either in November or March because of milder weather. However, we visited in December and still found it to be a great experience.
What is the Meteora dress code?
Meteora follows a strict dress code, so please remember this before leaving your accommodation.
Men: Required to wear long pants. Sleeveless shirts are prohibited.
Women: Long skirts are a must, and shoulders must be covered.
Other: To be on the safe side, generally wear something that pretty much covers your knees and shoulders.
Final Verdict – Is Meteora Worth Visiting in the Winter?
Yes, Meteora is definitely worth visiting in the winter. Visiting was truly an unforgettable experience I’ll never forget, and I had the added benefit of not having as much of a crowd at the monasteries too.
A lot of my positive experience is attributed to the fantastic tour company I went with, Visit Meteora. The handled the tour extremely professionally on all fronts. If you’re looking to book the same tour, click here.
For more information about Visit Meteora, check out their Official Website.
Planning to visit Meteora and want to know more? Let me know in the comments below!
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