Varlaam Monastery owes its name to a hermit who first settled here in the 14th century, but it wasn’t until two brothers scaled the rock with ropes and baskets a century later that it grew into a grand sanctuary. Its church, dedicated to All Saints, houses ancient manuscripts, remarkable frescoes by the celebrated painter Frangos Katelanos, and even the massive barrel once used to store over 12,000 liters of wine. The climb is gentler today, but the sense of isolation that once defined Varlaam still lingers in its stone walls.
Access to Varlaam Monastery is included with all Meteora day tours, depending on its rotation of open days. Once reached only by rope baskets, today you climb steps cut into the rock to reach its grand courtyards and frescoed chapels.
Inside, you’ll find a massive 16th-century oak cask that once stored up to 12,000 liters of wine, a reminder that monasteries were also centers of production, supplying not just monks but passing pilgrims and visitors.
At Varlaam, you come face to face with relics of St. Andrew and St. John the Baptist. For many, these aren’t just museum pieces; they turn your visit from simple sightseeing into a spiritual encounter at one of Meteora’s most revered sanctuaries.
The staircase you climb today was carved into the rock in the 1920s, replacing the rope baskets and swaying ladders monks relied on for centuries. Each step gives you safe passage and a vivid sense of what life was like when this cliff-top sanctuary was nearly cut off from the world.
Built in 1542, decorated by Frangos Katelanos with frescoes of saints and biblical cycles in the post-Byzantine style.
Yes. Entry to the Monastery of Varlaam is included in all Meteora full-day tours. However, access is subject to availability, as opening hours or religious services may occasionally limit entry.
Most visitors spend about 1 to 2 hours at Varlaam, allowing you to explore the chapels, museum exhibits, and the monastery’s views to your heart's content.
Yes. Full-day guided tours from Athens or Thessaloniki** are available and highly recommended. They provide rich context about Varlaam’s history, art, and its important role within the Meteora complex.
Photography is permitted in select areas, including the courtyards and outdoor spaces. However, flash photography is not allowed, and taking pictures inside the chapels may be restricted.
Unfortunately, the monastery is not easily accessible for visitors with mobility challenges. Reaching it involves climbing many steps and navigating uneven stone paths.
Yes. Meteora is home to six active monasteries, each offering something unique. Varlaam pairs especially well with the Great Meteoron Monastery, located directly opposite on another rock.
From Athens: Meteora Monasteries & Caves Full-Day Trip
From Athens: Meteora 2-Day Trip with 2 Guided Tours & Hotels
From Meteora: Monasteries & Caves Morning or Sunset Guided Tour
From Thessaloniki: Meteora Monasteries & Caves Full-Day Trip
From Meteora: Guided Hiking Tour with Monastery Visit
Hidden Trails of Meteora Hiking Tour