Meteora

Meteora is a forest of sheer rock pillars rising above the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki, on the edge of the Thessalian plain, with monasteries built on their summits. Hermits lived in the caves from the Byzantine period, and from the 14th century monks built communities on top, once reachable only by ladders or by nets hauled up on ropes. The whole area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

Six monasteries are still active and open to visitors, each charging a small entry fee (bring cash) and each closing on a different day of the week, so check the current schedule. Dress modestly: covered shoulders, long skirts for women. Start early, before the coaches, and stay for sunset from the viewpoints along the road.