Meteora, Athens: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Meteora is a complex of six active Eastern Orthodox monasteries perched on natural sandstone pillars rising up to 400 meters above the Thessaly plain in central Greece, roughly 350 kilometers northwest of Athens. The rock columns formed from riverbed sediment about 60 million years ago, and hermit monks first settled in the caves during the 11th century. The six surviving monasteries—of an original 24—date from the 14th through 16th centuries and are accessible by stairs carved into the rock or, historically, by winch baskets. The site holds joint UNESCO World Heritage status for both cultural and natural significance. is just one of many options in Athens. Major attractions worth considering include Areopagus, Delphi Archaeological Museum, and Hadrian's Library.