Varlaam Monastery

What it is and why it matters

Varlaam is the second-largest monastery in Meteora and stands directly opposite the Great Meteoron, about ten minutes' walk away. It owes its name to Varlaam, a hermit who settled on the rock in the 14th century and built a small chapel of the Three Hierarchs. The monastery as you see it was organised in the early 16th century by two monk brothers who came from Epirus, Nektarios and Theophanes Apsaras, who renovated that chapel in 1518.

What most catches the eye is the winch tower, of 1536. Through it people and supplies were hoisted in a net hung from a rope, until steps were cut into the rock in the 1920s. The tower survives and you see it on the visit.

What you see inside

• The katholikon of All Saints, of 1541. Its frescoes are from 1548, by Frangos Katelanos, with a second phase of 1566, by Georgios and Frangos Kontaris. Photos are not allowed inside.
• The refectory, which holds relics and objects from the monastery.
• The old hospital, with the chapel of the Holy Unmercenaries, opposite the entrance.
• The winch tower, by which everything was lifted until the 20th century.
• The terraces, with a view of the Great Meteoron.

Allow an hour in all, with the climb.

Opening hours and closing days

According to the hours published for 2026, it is open 9:00 to 16:00 all year. It closes on Fridays from April to October, and on Thursdays and Fridays from November to March. The monks set the hours and they may change at religious festivals.

Note how the closures cross: the Great Meteoron closes on Tuesdays, and in winter Tuesday to Thursday. In winter, the two are open together only Saturday to Monday.

Entry and clothing

Entry costs €5 per person, in cash, at the door. Under-12s do not pay. There is no reservation.

Women, skirt below the knee and shoulders covered; skirts and scarves are lent at the entrance. Men, long trousers. No vest tops. Animals are not admitted, except assistance dogs.

The climb

From the road it is about 140 steps, half those of the Great Meteoron. You climb them in a few minutes. There is no step-free access: with a pushchair or wheelchair, go to Saint Stephen's.

Getting there and parking

By the monasteries road from Kastraki, at the junction to the Great Meteoron. The car park is small and from May to October it fills between 10:00 and 14:00; arrive before 9:00. On foot, from Kastraki, the M13 section of the path network descends from Varlaam to the old aqueduct in 1.35 km and 270 m of ascent: you can climb it in the morning and return the same way. We explain it in monks' footpaths.

With children

The winch tower, and the story of the net, is what they remember most. The climb is short and works for the little ones holding hands. The path section from Kastraki is steep: better from age 7 or 8.

Combine it

Do the Great Meteoron at 9:30 and cross to Varlaam after, or the other way round if it is Tuesday. In the afternoon, sunset over the rocks can be seen a little over a kilometre away, on the road to Roussanou.