Varlaam Monastery
Varlaam Monastery
4.5
Historic SitesReligious SitesGardens
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Founded in 1517, this monastery houses a valuable collection of Byzantine relics.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Marilyn
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Varlaam Monastery
    It was an amazing experience. As a tip, if going driving, you are able to park and climb the stairs. Get there before the excursion buses arrive to avoid the crown or after 2:00 p.m. We got there at 10:00 am and there were many people. We left at 1:30 pm and at that time, there was more parking space.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 16 October 2023
  • Tas G
    Athens, Greece1,435 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A more touristic monastery
    Meteora have 6 or 7 monasteries. This one is one of the so called touristic, which means that is being visited by many groups especially on the morning hours which makes it very crowded and not a place that you can have an easy access or to explore it. Parking is a little bit hard but the scenery is something amazing. Many stairs but not difficult to climb up. Amazing views from the top and clean areas to see. Is one of the bigger monasteries but crowded. Shop was not so organised and the guy that was working there wanted us to go out because he wanted to go somewhere. For shopping souvenirs better go to the monasteries that are not touristic. Top things of this monastery is the huge barrel and the old lift that was kept preserved with all the old instruments which are not working anymore
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 April 2024
  • irina j
    London, United Kingdom3,555 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic monastery
    We visited this monastery as part of our walking tour because it was Tuesday and Great Meteora monastery was closed. However, I think we were so lucky to be able to see this place as one monastery the tour took us to. It’s kept in perfect condition. Everything is so tidy and beautifully present! Inside the church many frescos were preserved and look brand new. There is also a museum, gift shop and barrel for water storage to see. Don’t miss chair inside the cage which was used to bring people up or down. We had one hour in the monastery and it was not enough to see everything.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 26 June 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles853 reviews
Excellent
617
Very good
188
Average
34
Poor
5
Terrible
9

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Smaro P
Kavala, Greece308 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
It is a sacred place and women have to wear long skirts. So, girls be prepared or they will give you a skirt at the entrance to wear over your trousers. It is a wonderful and peaceful place to visit and the yard has an amazing view. A small museum inside is where you can learn a few things about the history of the certain monastery, how monks used to access it and other really interesting stuff as well as see some really valuable relics.
Written 8 January 2020
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.

RangeR
Canada679 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
There’s no doubt that the monasteries in this area wouldn’t be gorgeous and worth visiting at least one of them, but it should be noted that they are quite strict with the ‘no photos’ policy from indoors. They also do insist that women must wear skirts, so you should be dressed appropriately before arriving. The strictness about men’s dress code varies, but I’d still suggest wearing long pants and at the very least a T-shirt with sleeves. Common decency goes a long way, these are places of worship after all even if you’re just a tourist – be respectful at all times.

There's quite a bit of stair climbing to do in order to get to this monastery, so it isn't a good choice for those with mobility issues. The area itself is quite small, but there is also a mini museum at the site you can look through.
Written 6 May 2020
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.

BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,450 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Although the Great Metereon is the biggest and oldest monastery in Meteora, I've found Varlaam to be the most beautiful and informative one.
It was named after a monk who lived in a cave and built a chapel on top of the rock. Later, with other monks arriving, the chapel was enlarged into a monastery. It dates back to 16c.
Varlaam has two churches in its central part, painted in amazing frescoes.
In the lower level is a great, very informative museum which contributes to my opinion Varlaam is the best option to visit first if you're tight with time.
Written 4 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.

RichardK938
West Palm Beach, FL728 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
I really liked this Meteora Monastery. The terraces and church were fantastic! It's easily accessible and on most oft he group tour routes so be sure to go inside. Wear long pants to avoid hassles.
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.

Daniel&Amy
Rotorua, New Zealand309 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This monastery is incredible - an absolute must-see if you're in Meteora. We visited St Nicholas, St Stephen's, and Varlaam, and Varlaam was probably our favourite. If you're interested in hiking then this is also definitely the one to hike to as there is a path from the road below that will take roughly half an hour (check the app map.me for tracks). The interior was absolutely amazing - the buildings and paintings were incredible. If you have limited time, make sure this monastery is at the top of the list! Entry is €3pp and skirts are supplied for female visitors.

An additional tip about Meteora: If you're looking for accommodation make sure you check out the incredible guesthouses in Kastraki! You'll get to effectively live right next to the monasteries and rock formations!
Written 24 January 2020
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.

annaparn
Piraeus, Greece10,253 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The Holy monastery of Varlaam is the second big in size monastery. It owes its name to the hermit-anchorite Varlaam , who inhabited the rock in the 14th c. The visitors after climbing the staircase meeting left the hospital, it was restored in recent years and is connected to the north side of the chapel of St Anargyroi. The monastery is a two-columned cruciform, Athonite type of church.
Written 31 January 2020
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.

missblond
Milan, Italy203 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
It is the monastery that stands before Great Meteora.

It is one of the biggest, very nice. It also has an internal museum where you can see a historical video of how the monks climbed (inside a net with a handmade winch) ... impressive!

150 steps to access it.

Before entering distribute long skirts x women and long pants for men (to put x cover tattoos or only if they have their shorts too short).
No entry in tank top (needs T-shirt with covered shoulders)

You park in a dirt road.

Entrance fee 3 eur per adult person
Automatically translated
Written 21 August 2024
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.

In-Yong H
London, UK658 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
All the monasteries in Meteora are incredible and this place is no exception. The views on the rocks and other monasteries are just stunning. There is a very good museum here about the history and the life in monasteries, as well as a lovely chapel filled with frescoes. As with other monasteries, remember to keep to the dress code and have a mask ready to comply with Covid regulations.
Written 10 August 2020
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.

Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK7,059 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Possibly even better than Grand Meteoron with a stunning chapel interior, an outer area and then the dome part itself, also a bright nicely laid out museum area and several panoramic viewpoint areas. A large car park outside and a relatively short up steps entrance. If visiting here and Grand Meteoron, as the latter is mostly roadside parking you should park here to visit both.
Written 3 July 2022
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.

Maria Solange O
Farroupilha, RS30,366 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Friends
This is another monastery of the 6 that remain in Kalambaka. The Orthodox monastery is a male and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Access is via a staircase. The frescoes are beautiful and well preserved. The exotic construction impresses everyone. Women can only enter with skirts below the knees and covered shoulders and men with long pants or shorts below the knees. If you are not dressed "appropriately", at the entrance there is a piece of clothing that will be loaned. The ticket costs 3 euros. It is closed on Fridays. Unmissable!
Google
Written 27 September 2023
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.

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Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka

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