The 10 Best Things to Do in Kalambaka, Greece

August 10, 2017 Margarita Chappel

Discover the best top things to do in Kalambaka, Greece including Meteora, Megalo Meteoro Monastery, Meteora Photo Tour, Varlaam Monastery, Trekking Hellas, Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum, Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas, Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Agios Stefanos, Roussanou Monastery.
Restaurants in Kalambaka

1. Meteora

2 Patriarchou Dimitriou, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00, Greece +30 2432 078455
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 4 reviews

Meteora

Reviewed By Ruth K - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

No matter how many pictures you see, they can't show you the majestic feel of Meteora. It was simple breathtaking, from the Mountains to the temples...it was so worth the drive from Athens I would do it again in a heartbeat because there is never enough time to see everything.

2. Megalo Meteoro Monastery

Kalambaka 42200, Greece
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Megalo Meteoro Monastery

Reviewed By Stephanie G - Edmonton, Canada

If you only have time to visit one of Meteora's famous monasteries, make it this one! It is the grandest and oldest of Meteora's remaining monasteries.
The climb takes a modest amount of effort (stairs enclosed with a leg/waist-high wall, depending on your height), and offers great views of the surrounding countryside. Just be courteous to other climbers if you stop to take photos. Photos of Meteoron's grounds are permitted, but NOT within the chapel/sacred spaces. They are gorgeously decorated, so I know it is tempting, but please resist! My hubby snuck a photo and got scolded by staff, which I teased him about.
The building complex holds some small interesting museums: an ecclesiastical museum containing elaborately decorated robes and objects used in worship; a display of old sacred parchments and literature (my favourite!); and a national/military museum holding artifacts from WWII.
Even if you are not religious, being respectful and mindful of the sacredness of this space to others will help make your visit more special. Take time to pause and take in the space itself, and the peacefulness it has to offer.
I recommend going earlier in the morning to beat the crowds (and the large tourist buses for a parking spot!). Also, since this is the most popular of the 6 monasteries, beating the crowds also allows for a more peaceful visit to truly enjoy the sacredness of the locale. For this reason, I would recommend going by yourself and NOT in a large tour group, if possible.
There is a conservative dress code: no shorts or sleeveless tops for men or women, and skirts (past the knee) are recommended for women. If you are a woman wearing trousers, they have free wrap skirts to wear over them. (Although I saw a young woman walking around in tight leggings while I was visiting, so I'm not sure how well the dress code is enforced).

3. Meteora Photo Tour

Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00, Greece
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 25 reviews

Meteora Photo Tour

Explore the spectacular geological phenomenon of Meteora and travel to the unknown and beautiful landscapes of the Greek Mainland, in the highlands of Thessaly and Epirus in this unique photographic Tour. Meteora Photo Tour contains many diferends tours from which you can choose what you want and it is convenient in your holidays planning in Greece and Μeteora.Stay one more day at Meteora and take the oportunity to take with you extremely impressive photos!

Reviewed By Cduncan261 - Peterhead, United Kingdom

We really enjoyed our sunset photo tour with Konstantina & Christos!! They took us to some great spots around Meteora helping my partner to get the best photos, it really helps to get the local knowledge to find these places. Konstantina & Christos were both...MoreThank you so much for your good worlds! I am very happy that you enjoyed the tour! You are 2 wonderful persons with a good sense of humor so you definitely know how to have a good time!

4. Varlaam Monastery

Kalambaka, Greece 0432/22-277
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 527 reviews

Varlaam Monastery

Founded in 1517, this monastery houses a valuable collection of Byzantine relics.

Reviewed By natasha t - Canberra, Australia

The bus trip up the mountain had amazing views, and if you are lucky to stop at some of the Lookouts, take some great shots of the valley below. The Monastery itself was amazing. Although not allowed to take photos of the iconography, just looking at the richness of the paintings, and imagining how this was built by the monks - amazing. Lots of steps, but it can be done in stages. Ladies needed to dress respectfully in longer skirts, otherwise, wrap skirts are provided. Good comfortable footwear is helpful.

5. Trekking Hellas

Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00, Greece
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 14 reviews

Trekking Hellas

Enjoy the great outdoors of Meteora, Kalampaka with multiple activities. The dramatic rocky pinnacles of Meteora with their thriving cliff top monasteries are a sight to behold. Period of operation:Throughout the year Level requirements:Basic Physical Condition

Reviewed By Arlette L

Highly recommend !! Nice place, nice weather, nice people, and of course we had a wonderful and exciting experience during the one day tour at Meteora. The scenery is astonishing !! The guide is not only very interesting and humorous, but also knowledge-equipped. And I have to say that everything was so p-e-r-f-e-c-t !! My friend and I really enjoyed this trip, we had a unforgettable memories in Greece.
If time and money available, I will definitely go there again.............. :)
Thanks a lot !!

6. Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum

Pindou 20, Kalambaka 422 00, Greece +30 2432 024959
Excellent
77%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 212 reviews

Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum

Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum is located in the city of Kalambaka, very close to Meteora. Essentially, there are two museums housed in a building of 1100 m2 that host two permanent collections: The first one is about animals and contains approximately 350 species of mammals and birds, while the second one is about mushrooms and contains approximately 250 species of mushrooms. The collection of animals consists of high quality embalmed birds and mammals, made by Europe's best taxidermists, while some of them are very rare. The mushroom collection consists of handmade mushroom sculptures maintaining the similarity of colors, shapes and size. They are presented in three stages of development, so that the visitor forms a complete picture of mushroom's life circle. The sculptures were created one by one by high skilled sculptors of the wider local region. However, it is not just the quality of the exhibits that makes our Museum great, but also the way of presentation, which is very unique for greek standards and it can be compared with other similar european museums. Animals and mushrooms are presented into dioramas which depict exactly the natural terrain where they live and grow into(i.e. woods, wetlands etc.). The result of the dioramas is magnificent and ravishing to both young and older visitors, a fact that is reflected daily in the guestbook of the Museum, as well as on our Facebook page. Phrases such as "wonderful representation", "theatrical scenery", "huge work of art", "pioneering effort", "unique effort" etc., are just few of the comments of our visitors. This is one of the reasons that during these few months of our operation, our Museum has often been the main theme for reportages by the majority of Greek media and social media, a fact which presumably indicates the value and the quality of the project. Also, as part of the effort to expand the Museum's activity, there is our Artspace with a permanent exhibition of paintings and sculptures of local artists. The artists explore projects similar to Museum's theme, connecting the natural and cultural heritage through their own artistic experience and way of expression. Finally, it is essential to be mentioned that the University of Athens, which is our official scientific advisor, supports the function of the museum as well as the provided information. It is obvious that our museum can satisfy the most demanding visitor with both its aesthetic and its provided information. Furthermore, your visit does not stop here! It continues to the Museum's cafe where you can enjoy your coffee enjoying the view of the rocks of Meteora and it ends at the Museum's souvenir shop where you have the opportunity to buy unique souvenirs, as well as a big variety of wild edible mushrooms of excellent quality, placed in a unique product packaging. These products of greek nature, having the logo and guarantee of the Museum, can be an ideal and a very tasty gift. Most of the mushrooms are collected from surrounding areas, which are famous not only for their mushroom quantity, but also for the quality. This is why, the Museum has compiled a list of activities related to mushrooms, which essentially constitutes a new touristic product and enriches uniquely the planned visit in the area of Meteora. These activities include seminars providing basic information about mushrooms, visits upon the mountain for mushroom picking, mushroom cooking, lunch or dinner with mushrooms accompanied by greek modern and traditional music and other activities that are listed more detailed in the relevant list which is at your disposal. In conclusion, one can understand that this is not an ordinary museum where everything is static. It is a museum with a special dynamic, trying to variously satisfy the requirements of its visitors. This is why visiting our Museum can be a unique experience.

Reviewed By KONSTANTINOS P

-Interesting animal exhibition on the ground floor containing extincted species as well.
-The guide at the mushroom level friendly, with knowledge and love for mushrooms.
-A must see for children.
-Impressive effort for a small greek town museum.
-Beautiful and "tasteful" museum shop.
-The rooms and the building of high aesthetics.

7. Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas

Kalambaka, Greece 0432/22-375
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 206 reviews

Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas

This is the smallest of the 16th-century monasteries.

Reviewed By Dimitris L - Sydney, Australia

This is one of the smaller monasteries on Meteora, but is lovely nevertheless. It is the first Monastery yo come across on your way up towards the Monasteries, if you are coming from Kalambaka and Kastraki village. This is the way we went. Unfortunately it was closed when we got there at about 3.00pm. If you are visiting Meteora, you do not really have to go to all the monasteries, unless you have to. We visited the two largest and they were absolutely superb.

8. Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)

Kalambaka, Greece 0432/22-220
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 316 reviews

Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)

This 15th-century monastery is carved into the mountainside and is the one most often shown in ads.

Reviewed By sunnysab - sydney

Made famous by James Bond, Agia Triada "Holy Trinity" is probably the most dramatically positioned monastery of the Meteora. It is perched atop a slender pinnacle and accessible only by steep steps, making it one of the most peaceful monasteries as well. When you get there, the walk to reach the monastery may seem impossible, but it's doable and well worth it! The views are spectacular and this monastery is definitely not one to be missed.

9. Agios Stefanos

Kalambaka, Greece +30 2432 022279
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 366 reviews

Agios Stefanos

This is the only convent in the area.

Reviewed By Ramadama - New Providence, New Jersey

This Monestary is the easiest one to reach because you don't have climb any stairs. 34 nuns currently live and work here. This Monestary was bombed during World War II and as a result the frescoes are only about 50 years old and still being painted on the walls. Because of this, I did not find them to be as interesting as what I saw in the other monasteries. The views are stunning and the property is perfectly maintained.

10. Roussanou Monastery

Kalambaka, Greece
Excellent
62%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 386 reviews

Roussanou Monastery

Founded in 1545, this monastery is the most inaccessible of its kind.

Reviewed By Anthony S - Brisbane, Australia

This small Monastery is worth visiting and on a tour you walk in at the top road and then meet your transport at the bottom road, so no uphill walking. Very small and only a short visit is necessary but beautiful church.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.