Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
KALAMBÁKA
By train
The train station is on the ring road three blocks
south of the centre.
Destinations
Athens
(2 direct daily, 2 with connections;
4hr 30min-5hr 30min); Laríssa (2 daily; 1hr); Thessaloníki
(2 daily; 4hr).
By bus
Incoming buses stop at the central Platía
Dhimarhíou, and the KTEL station is just downhill from
there, two blocks down Ródhon.
Destinations
Athens (7 daily; 5hr): Ioánnina (2 daily; 2hr
30min); Kastráki (hourly, 6am-10pm; 10min); Métsovo (2
daily; 1hr 30min); Tríkala (hourly, 6am-10pm; 30min);
Vólos (4 daily; 2hr 30min).
Taxi
T
24320 22310.
Tourist o
ce
Diagonally opposite the KTEL (
T
24320
77734), with maps and foreign-language guides.
ACCOMMODATION
Arrivals may be met by
accommodation
touts
; you are advised to ignore them, following numerous complaints about
substandard rooms and price-fiddling. It's also best to avoid hotels on the main street, which are usually filled with coach
tours and plagued by traffic noise despite double glazing.
Ì
Monastiri
Nea Dimotiki Odos
T
24320 23952,
W
monastiri-guesthouse.gr.
Located on the lower side of
the train station, with views of the pinnacles, everything in
this handsome stone mansion is done with perfect taste
and sumptuous style. Spiros and Dita are most welcoming
hosts and speak perfect English. Plus, Spiros is extremely
knowledgeable about hiking trails throughout the
Metéora. Wonderful home
-mad
e breakfast included, in the
sunny parlour, with views.
€60
Ì
Mythos Guesthouse & Restaurant
Vlachavas 20
(Platanos Square)
T
24320 23952,
W
mythos-guest
house.com.
Situated near the upper, old part of the town, the
3
very cosy rooms in this fresh new property have balconies with
Metéora views. Facilities include en-suite bathrooms, free
wi-fi, flat screen TV, a/c and free parking. The atmospheric
taverna on the ground floor serves fresh traditional dishes
using only local produce. Local, h
igh-
quality wines, too. About
€10/person. Breakfast included.
€50
Odysseon
T
24320 22320,
W
hotelodysseon.gr.
Hotel
set on the main through road at the Kastráki end of things,
but fairly quiet since set back. Rooms feature a mix of tile or
parquet floors, and sho
wers
or tubs. There's a bright salon
for breakfast (included).
€45
EATING AND DRINKING
O Skaros
T
24320 24152.
Not many tourists find it (it's
on the west edge of town), but locals certainly know
about the excellent
kebáb
, chops and own-grown
vegetables served here. About €10/person.
Daily lunch &
dinner.
Ì
Panellinion
T
24320 24735.
Located right on the
central square, this large restaurant has cheery rustic-
kitsch decor and average prices (around €15-20).
High-quality ingredients, home cooking, and good brown
bread, plus superb fresh-cut chips. Forget the menu and
choose from among the dishes of the day, which may
include lamb with oregano, lemon chicken, vegetable
stews or casseroles, or another of the chef 's family recipes
- always based on whatever's in season. Seating inside and
out.
Daily lunch & dinner.
METÉORA ACTIVITIES
Beyond visits to the monasteries themselves, the dramatic setting makes for exciting outdoor
activities, especially hiking. In all, there are nearly 700 different trails among and around the
monoliths, though many of them are far from an easy stroll and some are crumbling outright.
In any case, if you go off-road, a good map is essential (see p.52), and don't hesitate to ask the
locals about current conditions.
USEFUL CONTACTS
No Limits
T
24320 78180,
W
nolimits.com.gr.
Long-
established Greek operator focusing on mountain and
river adventures in Metéora and areas of the Píndhos
range, especially the Zagóri. Activities include trekking,
rappelling, rafting and mountain biking.
Summit Post
W
summitpost.org/meteora/150984.
Excellent website providing everything you might need
to know about climbing and hiking in the Metéora.
