# @stephmylife on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNlL9p1OWTe
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33556692-stephmylife-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7351dafa4e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-20T14:59:48.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Stephanie Barry Woods (@stephmylife) — https://gondola.cc/stephmylife

## Caption

🌄 Have you ever heard of Meteora?

In the heart of Greece, six monasteries balance on towering stone pillars - some rising more than 400 meters above the valley floor.

Back in the 14th century, monks climbed these cliffs to escape invaders and built these sanctuaries in the sky. For centuries, the only way up was rope ladders and baskets hoisted by hand. Today, you can step inside these monasteries and stand at viewpoints that legit belong in a fantasy book! 

🗺 Where is it? Central Greece, near the town of Kalambaka. I recommend staying in Kastraki if you want to be in a quieter spot and closer to the monasteries to watch sunrise. 

🚗 How to get there: It's around 3 hrs by car from Thessaloniki, or 4–5 hrs from Athens. Once there, you can hike, drive, or join a guided tour to see the monasteries.

Tips for visiting:

- The monasteries have a modest dress code (cover knees & shoulders).
- Go for sunrise or sunset - the views are unreal and the crowds are thinner.
- Bring water & snacks for the day, you won't find any restaurants. Just mobile vans selling snacks & drinks. 
- Spend at least 2 nights in Kalambaka or Kastraki so you can explore without rushing. I personally don't think 1 night is enough.
- Comfortable shoes are a must, there are lots of steps carved into the rock.
- The climbs to the monasteries look steep, but they really weren't as bad as you would think. It's so worth going inside! 
- Entry fees are about 5EUR per person. 
- My favourite one was Varlaam, it's the most beautiful inside. 
- Agios Stefanos Monastery is the most accessible, with no steps to get inside. 

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but still feels like a hidden secret! Even during busy times, it was still quiet enough to find a gorgeous place to sit and see the views.

What do you think, do you want to go?

💬 Comment “Meteora” and I’ll send you my Google Maps list with the best monasteries and viewpoints.

#meteroa #greecetravel #greeceitinerary #iconicplaces #bucketlist #acotar #velaris #westoros #gameofthrones

## Stats

- **Views:** 21,835
- **Likes:** 2,504
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 265

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Stephanie Barry Woods | @stephmylife | https://gondola.cc/stephmylife | Influencer |

## Tags

greeceitinerary, bucketlist, meteroa, velaris, greecetravel, acotar, gameofthrones, iconicplaces, westoros

---
Copyright (c) Gondola