How to Find Cheap Hotels in Meteora, Greece

Meteora is one of the lesser-known attractions of Greece--a hidden gem. Located in the Balkan Highlands, Meteora features a number of rocky pinnacles holding up no less than 24 monasteries. The rocky structures are perfect for sport and sight-seeing, and the monasteries are brilliant works of architectural wonder. Accommodations in the nearby city of Kalampaka and the nearby village of Kastraki are plentiful and fairly cheap, so let your curiosity or your itch to climb something new lead you to Meteora.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport.
• Computer with Internet access.

Know Your Destination

1. Climb the rocks in Meteora. The formations and pillars are truly unique to Greece, and climbing has been a pastime, a sport and a necessity in the region for centuries. Rental shops can help supply climbing gear.
2. Visit one or all of the six monasteries open to visitors; these include: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity, St. Nicholas Anapausas and Rousanou. The Great Meteoron is the largest of the six and functions as a museum these days.

Transportation in Meteora, Greece

3. Access Kalampaka by way of bus or train from a city within Greece, preferably the mainland. It takes a taxi to reach Kastraki. If you have a rental car, you can drive your way to Meteora.
4. Take a taxi or secure a shuttle through your hotel in order to reach the pillars and monasteries. St. Stephen's monastery can be accessed by car. Several other monasteries require each visitor to ascend steep, treacherous steps.

Accommodations in Meteora, Greece

5. To book accommodations, contact the Greek National Tourism Organisation at 30 210 8707000 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Locate accommodations in the nearby towns of Kalampaka and Kastraki. Kastraki is a village of a few thousand people located directly below the rock formations in Meteora. Kalampaka has a population of approximately 15,000 and plays home to most of the hotels in the vicinity.
6. Reserve a room at one of the 33 hotels in Kalampaka and Kastraki. Hotel rooms are relatively cheap, averaging below $100 U.S.
7. Camp in Kalampaka for cheap. There are three options for camping in Greece. First, there are a couple of camp sites that offer hostel-like accommodations with private rooms. There are also RV parks for people with trailers or campers. Finally, you can camp with your own tent.
8. Stay as a guest in one of the 22 guest houses in Kalampaka and Kastraki. The experience will add local flavor to your tour.

Tips & Warnings

• Both men and woman should wear clothing covering the knees when visiting the monasteries.