Mount Athos The Holy Mountain
Mount Athos The Holy Mountain
Mount Athos The Holy Mountain
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4.5
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RichardK938
West Palm Beach, FL728 contributions
Jul 2021
I decided to take the half day cruise to see the exteriors of all the monasteries on the south side of the peninsula rather than spend a day or more to see one. Your choice but I was very happy with this boat tour. The views of the monasteries and the mountain were fantastic and we even had dolphins swimming along side us on our way back.
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer33
Washington DC, DC132 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
Visiting Mt Athos--the Holy Mountain--a republic of 20 monasteries, is a special experience. I am not Orthodox, but went because I was interested in seeing this holy place that has the somewhat unique condition of not admitting women. It has been a sacred area for more than 1000 years, dedicated to Orthodox spirituality. While it is for the monks, priests and clerics, it welcomes male pilgrims to visit. The hospitality means that you can stay at a monastery and eat with the monks and other pilgrims for free, participate in the religious services and witness the beautiful and historical settings.
But planning is needed. You need permission to enter and must arrange with monasteries in advance to stay (normally a day at a time). Most visitors start from the Pilgrim's Station in Ouranopoli, but you should begin planning weeks or months ahead. A very limited number of non-Orthodox men are admitted each day. Not surprisingly, most of the pilgrims are Orthodox, including many monks and priests from around the world, including Greeks, Russians, other Eastern Europeans and others. While I was there I was the only American and non-white person I saw.
Language is a problem; most of the people speak Greek, although Russian also appears common. Fortunately, there are a number of monks and pilgrims who speak English who can help. I had particular problems understanding how to use the buses that transport people from the port of Dafni to Karyes - the capital - to monasteries. Some monasteries can be reached directly by boat (if you know how). Wandering the trails is a meditative way to visit the monasteries, but it looked like most people used the buses.
I stayed in two monasteries, Pantokrator and Vatopedi, on the north side of the peninsula, which provided excellent hospitality to me. Accommodations are in dorms that sleep multiple people and are pretty simple. And meals are also simple, but healthy. Much of the day can be spent in services, which are beautiful (but mostly in an old Greek).
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, but some of the pilgrims had been there many times.
But planning is needed. You need permission to enter and must arrange with monasteries in advance to stay (normally a day at a time). Most visitors start from the Pilgrim's Station in Ouranopoli, but you should begin planning weeks or months ahead. A very limited number of non-Orthodox men are admitted each day. Not surprisingly, most of the pilgrims are Orthodox, including many monks and priests from around the world, including Greeks, Russians, other Eastern Europeans and others. While I was there I was the only American and non-white person I saw.
Language is a problem; most of the people speak Greek, although Russian also appears common. Fortunately, there are a number of monks and pilgrims who speak English who can help. I had particular problems understanding how to use the buses that transport people from the port of Dafni to Karyes - the capital - to monasteries. Some monasteries can be reached directly by boat (if you know how). Wandering the trails is a meditative way to visit the monasteries, but it looked like most people used the buses.
I stayed in two monasteries, Pantokrator and Vatopedi, on the north side of the peninsula, which provided excellent hospitality to me. Accommodations are in dorms that sleep multiple people and are pretty simple. And meals are also simple, but healthy. Much of the day can be spent in services, which are beautiful (but mostly in an old Greek).
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, but some of the pilgrims had been there many times.
Written 9 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Perth, Australia151 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
There are very few, if any, experiences like this left in the world. A mountainous, autonomous region populated by religious monks and holding some of the most valued religious relics and treasures.
If you are lucky enough to be male you can access the mountain and take in the whole experience. If you are not, then you are limited to cruising by on the many organised tour boats and looking at the landscape and the monasteries from afar.
Having spent 4 nights on the peninsula I found it to be the most relaxing, awakening and spiritual thing I have ever done in the my life. You turn off technology, eat communally, live communally and spend a lot of time chatting quietly to other pilgrims or else praying at church services and contemplating life. It really is the perfect detox from an otherwise crowded and busy life.
Some of the monasteries you can see from the cruise boats look almost 'painted' onto the landscape in the way they seem to hang off the rocky hills and hover over the water. Believe me, it is even more spectacular once you are actually inside one of these monasteries and staring at the water of the Aegean right underneath you!
The real hidden treasures are the monasteries that you can't really see from the coast. Hidden high up in the mountains are a series of buildings that look like they are from the Swiss alps.
The monks themselves are a welcoming lot and the accommodation and food you get is good quality for what is essentially an escape from luxury or extravagance.
Getting a taste of such a completely different way of life is eye-opening in itself and also seeing the amazing church buildings, treasures and relics gives you an insight into another world of religious worship.
It probably helps to have some understanding of Orthodox Christian teachings and traditions but even if you don't, I am certain that if you choose to spend some time here you will come away refreshed, spiritually awakened and with a better understanding of the monastic life.
I will post some information about the logistics of getting here on the entry dealing with the Mt Athos Pilgrims Office. It may appear intimidating but the process is a lot simpler than it first appears.
If you are lucky enough to be male you can access the mountain and take in the whole experience. If you are not, then you are limited to cruising by on the many organised tour boats and looking at the landscape and the monasteries from afar.
Having spent 4 nights on the peninsula I found it to be the most relaxing, awakening and spiritual thing I have ever done in the my life. You turn off technology, eat communally, live communally and spend a lot of time chatting quietly to other pilgrims or else praying at church services and contemplating life. It really is the perfect detox from an otherwise crowded and busy life.
Some of the monasteries you can see from the cruise boats look almost 'painted' onto the landscape in the way they seem to hang off the rocky hills and hover over the water. Believe me, it is even more spectacular once you are actually inside one of these monasteries and staring at the water of the Aegean right underneath you!
The real hidden treasures are the monasteries that you can't really see from the coast. Hidden high up in the mountains are a series of buildings that look like they are from the Swiss alps.
The monks themselves are a welcoming lot and the accommodation and food you get is good quality for what is essentially an escape from luxury or extravagance.
Getting a taste of such a completely different way of life is eye-opening in itself and also seeing the amazing church buildings, treasures and relics gives you an insight into another world of religious worship.
It probably helps to have some understanding of Orthodox Christian teachings and traditions but even if you don't, I am certain that if you choose to spend some time here you will come away refreshed, spiritually awakened and with a better understanding of the monastic life.
I will post some information about the logistics of getting here on the entry dealing with the Mt Athos Pilgrims Office. It may appear intimidating but the process is a lot simpler than it first appears.
Written 17 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geraldine M
London, UK30 contributions
May 2015
After an eventful journey from Kassandria, which involved watching vultures hover above a craggy rock over a vivid blue sea,we arrived in Ouranopolis just in time to catch the next boat around the peninsula, carrying our crunchy Greek cheese and spinach eatables with us. We noticed several young, thin, bearded monks but they were getting a different boat...
We had looked forward to this trip and I was not disapointed by the beautiful coastline. It was a calm, sunny day and there was just a gentle rocking of the boat and the 'swish' of waves. Seagulls [the small gulls] swooped around the boat. We were able to go near enough to get a good impression of the monastic buildings on one side of the peninsula. First, after one landing stage was the Russian Monastery of St Pantelamon. Slowly, this great building is being renovated, and we were just able to make out a new mosaic of the Mother of God on the front of the church. the highlight was seeing the Monastery of Simonpetros. It stood like an Orthodox rock on a vast jutting out mountainside. There was scaffolding around part of the balconys; we also saw terraced steps of land being cultivated. Little sketes clung to the sides of the hill above the sea. Wow!
But I was aware we seemed to be a little too near the land. Other boats too, seemed to be almost invading the sacred space of Athos. I watched myself feeling a little critical too of people talking on their phones or calling loudly to one another. I felt I too was colluding with the seeming 'pushing of boundries' that I feel need be there so that a unique monastic life can continue without disruption. There has been a renewal of monastic life on the Holy Mountain in the last 25 years thanks to holy monks such as Elder Aimilanos and many others.
There are authentic Athonite monastery that both men and women can visit; one of those is the Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Mother of God at Ormylia [Vatopedi]. Full of strong, talented and, mostly young women. Also founded by Elder Aimillanos. A nearby Mens' Monastery St Arsenious, is also founded from Simonopetros.
So, the boat trip is a great day out, but if you want the 'taste' of a real monastery and cannot visit Moni Athos, try one of the above as well.. . .
We had looked forward to this trip and I was not disapointed by the beautiful coastline. It was a calm, sunny day and there was just a gentle rocking of the boat and the 'swish' of waves. Seagulls [the small gulls] swooped around the boat. We were able to go near enough to get a good impression of the monastic buildings on one side of the peninsula. First, after one landing stage was the Russian Monastery of St Pantelamon. Slowly, this great building is being renovated, and we were just able to make out a new mosaic of the Mother of God on the front of the church. the highlight was seeing the Monastery of Simonpetros. It stood like an Orthodox rock on a vast jutting out mountainside. There was scaffolding around part of the balconys; we also saw terraced steps of land being cultivated. Little sketes clung to the sides of the hill above the sea. Wow!
But I was aware we seemed to be a little too near the land. Other boats too, seemed to be almost invading the sacred space of Athos. I watched myself feeling a little critical too of people talking on their phones or calling loudly to one another. I felt I too was colluding with the seeming 'pushing of boundries' that I feel need be there so that a unique monastic life can continue without disruption. There has been a renewal of monastic life on the Holy Mountain in the last 25 years thanks to holy monks such as Elder Aimilanos and many others.
There are authentic Athonite monastery that both men and women can visit; one of those is the Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Mother of God at Ormylia [Vatopedi]. Full of strong, talented and, mostly young women. Also founded by Elder Aimillanos. A nearby Mens' Monastery St Arsenious, is also founded from Simonopetros.
So, the boat trip is a great day out, but if you want the 'taste' of a real monastery and cannot visit Moni Athos, try one of the above as well.. . .
Written 17 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
227AndrewB
Wells, UK31 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
One of the best parts of any visit to the Holy Mountain is walking the footpaths which lead from monastery to monastery. These have been used by monks and pilgrims for centuries, and in many places the ancient cobbled 'kalderimi' are still visible. Nowadays most people travel by minibus, but if you wish to experience the true peace and beauty of this holy place, walk the footpaths.
Many of the paths are signposted, but you can still get lost and some may only be used by a few pilgrims each week, so make sure you have a good map, good boots and enough water. Detailed route descriptions in English and Greek of the paths between many of the monasteries are available from the Friends of Mount Athos website http://www.athosfriends.org/footpaths/footpaths_chart/ and downloadable GPS tracks from http://vision.iti.gr/routes/index.php?page=viewAllRoutes
The combination of spirituality, prayer, history, art, architecture, nature and landscape is what makes visiting the Holy Mountain a unique experience. Planning a trip and getting the necessary permits and accommodation isn't straightforward, but it really is worthwhile - I've been there 7 times and am about to go for my 8th pilgrimage.
Many of the paths are signposted, but you can still get lost and some may only be used by a few pilgrims each week, so make sure you have a good map, good boots and enough water. Detailed route descriptions in English and Greek of the paths between many of the monasteries are available from the Friends of Mount Athos website http://www.athosfriends.org/footpaths/footpaths_chart/ and downloadable GPS tracks from http://vision.iti.gr/routes/index.php?page=viewAllRoutes
The combination of spirituality, prayer, history, art, architecture, nature and landscape is what makes visiting the Holy Mountain a unique experience. Planning a trip and getting the necessary permits and accommodation isn't straightforward, but it really is worthwhile - I've been there 7 times and am about to go for my 8th pilgrimage.
Written 19 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard D
San Diego, CA166 contributions
Oct 2019
I read about Mt. Athos but never thought I would visit it. I looked into a visit and made arrangements to visit this pilgrimage site. A reservation/visa/passport are required. I am non-orthodox Christian. This Greek autonomous area has 20+ orthodox monasteries. We got our permit/visa in Ouranoupolis. It cost 55 euros The visa fee includes a night in a monastery and meals. We booked at the Bulgarian Zograf monastery. After we got there we were told that 2 of us (non-orthodox) could not attend the liturgy.! A monk advised us to go to the Greek Monastery of Vatopedi as the monks there were used to foreigners and would allow us to attend the liturgies. We took his advice and made an arduous trek over a mountain to get to Vatopedi. We were exhausted on arrival at the Greek monastery. The monk at reception called the Bulgarian monastery to verify our tale, then welcomed us to spend the night. It was after dinner but we were told go to the refectory. We had a meal of fresh cucumbers, bread, Greek style pasta, olives, pears and red wine. We were in bed by 7 PM and awake at 3 AM to attend the readings and liturgies in the main chapel. The chapel was lit with oil lamps and candles. The readings took about 1 ½ hours and were followed by chanting. We left the chapel and walked in a gentle rain across a courtyard to a smaller chapel were a Mass took place. After the liturgy we had breakfast and headed back to Ouranouapolis by ferry. The experience was enchanting and enriching.
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert S
Bucharest, Romania157 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
I love the spirituality, I look for spirituality in everything, everywhere and everyone. In my trips I always ask for such places and I visit them first.
This is the most spiritual place I've ever seen and the holly fathers are most spiritual people I've ever meet.
The Holly Mountain is wild but wonderful, is tough but wise, is rock and water.
If you feel what you haven't felt ever, do not panic. If you don't feel anything special, do not weak in faith. If you can visit The Holly Mountain, do not miss it.
This is the most spiritual place I've ever seen and the holly fathers are most spiritual people I've ever meet.
The Holly Mountain is wild but wonderful, is tough but wise, is rock and water.
If you feel what you haven't felt ever, do not panic. If you don't feel anything special, do not weak in faith. If you can visit The Holly Mountain, do not miss it.
Written 23 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danielswiss64
Chicago, IL2,169 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
We enjoyed our trip to Mount Athos where we stayed for one night. We started to get our entry permit about five months in advance. We chose to spend the night at Grigoriou monastery which was beautiful and so peaceful. I feel I learned a lot about the faith and we were offered to meet with one monk individually to discuss questions. Sitting on the terrace with fantastic views of the sea, sipping on an espresso I will never forget. The food was quite simple. We ate with the monks, but the meal was over after about 20 minutes. We spent time watching the prayer services. It felt a bit odd especially given that I did not know what the protocol was. The sleeping arrangements were simply Dormitory style with about six other people. There was not much to do in-between the services. We just sat and enjoyed the views and peacefulness of the location. We did a brief hike to Saint Gregory's cave. Transportation was a bit confusing, but we eventually figured it out through the help of Friends of Mount Athos website. We took two different ferries. One to Dafni and then another one to Grigoriou monestary.
Written 29 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
12APlace
Edinburgh, UK181 contributions
Oct 2019
We were staying at the top of the middle prong - Sithonia - of the three prongs of Halkidiki. We drove to Ouranopoli, at the top of the Eastern prong, the last outpost which could be inhabited by females (allow more time to drive there than anyone tells you!). It's a pleasant little village (at least in the off season in October when we were there) with cafes and not-too-touristy shops, and an unspoiled beach half a mile through the town. we took the cruise ferry which goes from the village pier for a three hour return trip down the west side of the Athos promontory. Not expensive - E20 each. During the season it goes twice per day, at 10.30 and 2.30. Off season only at 10.30. The boat is comfortable and well-appointed. it takes about 45 minutes before the monasteries come into sight, but then there is one after another. 1700 monks are living there full-time, in monasteries which have, mostly, been there for many centuries and which house a plethora of medieval manuscripts and iconic objects. The sheer scale of the religious buildings is remarkable. By no means (as I had thought) was it confined to a few monasteries perched on rocks. And at the far end there is the magnificence of Mount Athos itself. Very much worth the drive to get there, and absolutely fascinating to see, albeit from about 300 metres offshore.
Written 12 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco C
Province of Monza and Brianza, Italy28 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Spare 40 euros for Meteore. THAT ONE deserve a visit. Otherwise book your pilgrimage and visit the monastry by your self..but do not have the trip by boat
Written 24 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Юрий Г
Italy
Здравствуйте! Скажите пожалуйста контактные данные паломнических служб, которые это организовывают и каковы их стоимости.
Written 6 May 2022
salve, ho avuto il permesso per soggiornare una notte sul Monte Athos il prossimo 3 agosto. Quindi arriveremmo lì la mattina del 3 e ripartiremmo il pomeriggio del 4. Lei che c'è stato mi può dare un consiglio su come organizzare al meglio le due giornate? E magari a quale monastero chiedere ospitalità per la notte?
Written 18 July 2016
Mi dispiace di aver letto solo adesso la domanda, spero che il vostro pellegrinaggio sia andato bene. In quale monastero avete soggiornato?
Written 11 August 2016
Hi,
I am planning to be in Greece late September and most of October. As a female, I am most aware that I can't actually visit the monasteries. As I am a solo traveller, what is my best option of doing the sight-seeing boat trip? I read on one sight that to be in the area I have to apply for permission in writing. Is this correct? Also, are there any tour operators who organise tour packages/ sight seeing excursions to this region? What is the best way to get to this location? Can I do this as a day trip from Thessaloniki? I will be based in Athens but am prepared to travel to another base for the journey. I just need some clear suggestions on where I should be based for this excursion. Thanks.
Written 12 August 2015
Hi,
As a female, you are not allowed to step on the Holy Mountain.
I suppose you could take a private tour by boat around the area. In this case you can see some of the monasteries from the sea but this is too far away to offer you an authentic experience.
Instead of spending money for a boat trip and only for some pictures (but no true feelings), you could invest in real trip at Meteora and Delphi: awesome landscape, genuine experience, beautiful monasteries and ancient sites.
Enjoy!
Written 5 February 2017
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