Top Things to do in Thessaly
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Thessaly That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Thessaly, Greece including Great Meteoron Monastery, Mount Pelion, Meteora, Mount Olympus, Mosteiros em Meteora, Entomological Museum of Volos, Palaiokarya’s Stone Bridge, Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Agios Stefanos, Roussanou Monastery.
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1. Great Meteoron Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,409 reviews
Reviewed By ek7833
On 22 June 2019, we took a 4-hour train from Athens to Kalabaka to visit the meteora monasteries and took another 4-hour train back. It was a tour organised by Meteora Thrones. We visited 3 monasteries and see the other 3 from strategic spots. Excellent tour. Thanks to the organizer. Of the 3 we visited viz. the Great Meteoron Monastery, the Variaam and St Stephen monastery, the Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and required more effort to reach and has the most impressive views of the plains and rock formation. To reach this Byzantine monastery, we had to up the steps under the midday sun when the temperature reached 34 degree in celsius. But It was worthwhile believe me. The Monastery was built on a steep rock column which rises to a height of more than 400 metres (1,300 ft). The whole Monastery was in good shape. The museum, the open courtyards, the chapel are well preserved. The views looking down from above was astonishing, impressive and breathtaking. Walking inside this medieval treasure, we could not imagine how the ancient monks and nuns built the monastery and how they could live in there without external supports. We could only appreciate their untiring effort and desire to connect human with the Divine. A highly recommended activity when visiting Athens.
2. Mount Pelion
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By koutsioumpas - Rethymnon, Greece
I went to Pilion in March 2020. We hiked a group of 205 people from Xania to Makryrachi and Portaria village. We also visited the villag eof Makrinitsa. Amazing place with great architecture. The nature around the mountain is simply amazing. Highly recommended for hikers!
3. Meteora
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,338 reviews
Reviewed By FrancescaB2907 - Kalamata, Greece
Meteora is a special place,the combination of, beautiful countryside, amazing rock formations, ever changing weather, and the wonderful monasteries perched atop the rugged rocks is outstanding..
4. Mount Olympus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By DianaB280 - Iasi, Romania
This time we didn't hike (its top was covered with snow at the beginning of May), we just admired its beauty and magnificence, driving by. I remember that last time we did hike on Mount Olympus we found a place with plenty of lillies-of-the-valley, which are my favorite flowers (it was late April). I recommend this hike, which may be for all levels of hiking, from easy to medium to difficult. One can stop anytime they want and go back (so did we, we didn't reach the top, because the weather was getting worse). We even met on our way young Greek couples with little children.
5. Mosteiros em Meteora
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By SakeSeguro
Since we usually have some part of our seaside vacations in Greece, for us it's a very good tradition to visit this area because we are Orthodox Christians, firstly, and since the very atmosphere, freshness of air, perception of freedom and the very views are so impressive to be described that it's necessary to feel them all at site, secondly. Better to plan your visit by some rented car if you wish some real independence from any group, be there before the very opening and to visit as many monasteries as you want. We started our trip there from Neoi Poroi at some about 6.00 a.m.; roads are very good and almost empty within these hours and therefore, at 7.30 we had our short rest at the gas station when monasteries were on our horizon :). This gas station ERIV (will be at the same side of the highway you'll follow) is very suited for this :) - nice veranda for grabbing coffee, very amicable owner Greek-Italian or Italian-Greek makes it very tasty :) and prices for the very gasoline are good. After refilling your car just in 20-25 minutes you'll be over that famous touristic sight plate where without any interference you'll have as much time as you wish to admire the whole valley beneath, the rocks around and monasteries over them - so nice to be there when there is none of any group tourists :). Then continue your way to Great Meteoro as the farthest monastery in your route and from there it's better to start your acquaintance with them. We had visited three monasteries (Meteoro, Varlaam and Roussanou) and thus, this consequence confirmed to be the most logic :) - and when the majority of all groups just begin to overcrowd the area you'll already be at Roussanou after patient, calming and non-packed visits to all planned places including the museum at Varlaam and souvenir shops in all three. Summing up, the very place is very inspiring for life and really boosts everyday moods :). At noon following these itinerary and schedule you'll be free to start your way back to the seaside :).
6. Entomological Museum of Volos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Today,the museum exhibits approximately 100,000 insects of various taxon and more are constantly added.The majority of insects are butterflies (lepidoptera) that belong to an extensive collection of more than 40,000 species,subspecies and races.Not only is the Entomological Museum of Volos unique in Greece,but it is the biggest and the most complete private museum in the Balkans. The museum is open daily but only by appointment.
7. Palaiokarya’s Stone Bridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By 192vasilist - Athens, Greece
This old stone bridge has the unique advantage of having two waterfalls, one before and one after the bridge. The location is easy to find, but it is much easier to have a car to drive there. It was not crowded when I got there, even though it was on a weekend. Nature around is beautiful. If you are into photography, the setting gives great opportunities for long exposures.
8. Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 464 reviews
This 15th-century monastery is carved into the mountainside and is the one most often shown in ads.
Reviewed By XTravelingSoldierX - Vancouver, United States
I have seen many sunsets from traveling the world. This one is just breathtaking. The rock formations are majestic and the monastery built on top of the rock is just plain impressive...but the sunset...wow It was worth waiting around for one hour just to see it. If you want the best view (on the edge of the cliff) I recommend you show up at least an hour early because the location fills up rather quickly. Be careful though, there are no barriers so I wouldn't recommend taking kids on the edge of the rock.
9. Agios Stefanos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 510 reviews
This is the only convent in the area.
Reviewed By irinag889 - Greater London, United Kingdom
This humble nunnery was the last monastery we‘ve just visited in August 2020, and it appeared a very special to us: it has nice holy energy there. You can feel it from the entrance: by the way how the nun, who sale the tickets, smiles to you, by the way her God-sister talks with you at the monastery chamber, ready to serve and to show you around, and even by the sweetness of the nun, who guard the monastery Museum and shop. The Light seems lives in this place. The monastery 18th century main cathedral dedicated to Saint Charalambos and includes his holy relics. Some people come to pray there: it is believed that Saint Charalambos can treat incurable deceases, such as cancer and even Covid-19.... It is also believed that at the time of Saint Charalambos martyrdom in 202, The Saint was 113 years old. His name means “glowing with joy” in Greek, and may be this is the reason the monastery has the light and joyful energy, which you could sense there. The life and martyrdom of the Saint are colourfully depicted at the walls of the cathedral, which also includes unique vision of Last Judgment. The views from the monastery are not as picturesque as from Great Meteoron of Varlam monasteries nearby, the architecture is also less sophisticated and more simple, but still very attractive. For us the main character of this monastery was in its’ incredible and rare energy, which is so hard to come across in the modern world.
10. Roussanou Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 524 reviews
Founded in 1545, this monastery is the most inaccessible of its kind.
Reviewed By achunder - Cupertino, United States
What a beautiful and a sacred place this is....regardless of your culture or background. Situated in the serene landscape of Meteora is the place where monks and nuns worship and have very little with the outside world and that is evident if you visit this place.....it will take you to s eternal world of purity and happiness.,.....beautiful and a must visit like no other place.
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