Sunset over the rocks, between the Great Meteoron and Roussanou

What you see

As the afternoon ends, the sun sets towards the south-west and the low light tints the sandstone and conglomerate towers orange. From the high lay-bys on the monasteries road you see at once Roussanou on its rock, Varlaam, the Great Meteoron and, below, Kastraki and the Thessaly plain. At that hour the monasteries have closed and what remains is the landscape.

Where to see it on your own

The spot we suggest is between the Great Meteoron and Roussanou. From the Great Meteoron car park, drive back 1.2 km towards Roussanou: after a tight right-hand bend there is a dirt lay-by with room for three or four cars and an open view to the south-west. If it is full, there are more wide spots along the road: park only where you will not obstruct, because it is narrow and winding.

Arrive half an hour before sunset. Check the sunset time for the day on a weather app: it changes a lot between summer and winter. After sunset, drive down with lights on and slowly: there are pedestrians and groups on the road.

It is free and no reservation is needed. There are no facilities: no toilets, water or bar.

With a tour from Kalambaka

If you do not have a car, or do not want to drive down the road at night, two Kalambaka agencies run afternoon outings with pick-up at your accommodation in Kalambaka or Kastraki:

• Meteora Thrones: a tour of about 4 hours by minibus, from 16:00 depending on the season, passing the six monasteries, entering one and ending at a viewpoint at sunset. €30 per adult and €25 for ages 4 to 12; free under 4. Monastery entry tickets, €5, are paid separately.
• Visit Meteora: a 4-hour outing with entry to Saint Stephen's, the Byzantine church of Kalambaka and the Badovas hermit caves, ending at a viewpoint. The time changes with the season; the booking states it.
• Visit Meteora, on foot: a 3-hour, 4 km walk from Kastraki square, beside the geological museum, via the Holy Spirit chapel and the Saint George caves, to the top of the Agio Pnevma rock to watch the sunset. It is of medium difficulty, with a steep climb; from age 7, in groups of up to 12, March to October.

When to go

All year. In spring and autumn the light is cleaner and the temperature good. In July and August there are more people at the lay-bys, but sunset is the best time to be among the rocks, when the heat eases. In winter, with highs of 11 to 15 °C in the valley, bring a coat.

With children

It works for all ages if you go by car: you get out and look. The walk to Agio Pnevma is for children from age 7 used to walking. Watch small children at the lay-bys, which face the road and slopes.

Afterwards

Go down for dinner in Kastraki, at Stefanos Tavern or the Taverna-Ouzeri Pappas, or in Kalambaka, where Valia Calda and Meteoron Panorama are.