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Village · Kalambaka, Tessália
Kastraki
Village of about a thousand inhabitants tucked against the rocks of Meteora, 2 km from Kalambaka. Stone houses with red roofs, tavernas, guesthouses and the start of the road and trails to the monasteries.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Kastraki
Kastraki lies in a small valley between the pillars of Meteora, 2 km from Kalambaka, and is the most photographed view of the area when seen from below: red roofs with grey rocks hundreds of meters high in the background. The village was born at the beginning of the 18th century from the merger of four settlements founded by families from Epirus, and the name comes from a Byzantine castle, the kastro, that existed until 1362 and of which ruins remain on the top.
The streets are narrow and climb between stone houses, small churches and yards with vines. From the square the paved road leads to the six monasteries and to the old trails used by the monks. Just above the village is the Doupiani rock, where the first monastic center of Meteora was established in the 12th century, with a chapel still in use at its base.
On one of the rocks surrounding the village, Agio Pneuma, is the hermitage of Agios Georgios Mandilas, a cavity where every year, on the saint’s feast day, local youngsters climb up to hang colorful scarves, visible from below. Kastraki is the best base for those who want to hike: the trails to Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas, Rousanou, Varlaam and the Grande Meteoro start here.
The village has family guesthouses, campsites and tavernas that serve Tessália food, with roasted meats, beans and regional cheese. At night, with the rocks lit up, it is a quiet place.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours to walk around the village; many stay here overnight.
Best time
In the late afternoon, when the light hits the rocks behind the houses, and at night when they are lit. In spring and autumn the weather is usually better for hiking the trails that start here.
How to get there
2 km from Kalambaka via the road that leaves from the west side of the town. A local bus links the two places and continues to the monasteries at certain times. On foot it takes about 25 minutes along pavement and path.
Tip
Stay in Kastraki if your plan is to hike: the trails start from the square and the village is quieter than Kalambaka. Look at the Agio Pneuma rock and watch for the scarves hung at the hermitage of Agios Georgios Mandilas.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kastraki
Is Kastraki far from Kalambaka?
It's 2 km, about a 25-minute walk or a few minutes by local bus or taxi. The monastery road starts in Kastraki.
What are the scarves on the rock above Kastraki?
They are scarves hung by local youths at the hermitage of Agios Georgios Mandilas, a cavity in the rock of Agio Pneuma, during the saint's feast. The tradition is repeated every year and the scarves are visible from below.
Is it worth staying overnight in Kastraki?
Yes, especially for those who will do the trails that start in the village. There are family guesthouses, campsites and tavernas, and the view of the rocks from the window is the highlight.
Can you walk from Kastraki to the monasteries?
Yes. The old trails lead to Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas in about 30 minutes and to the Great Meteoro and Varlaam in about 1h30, with steep ascents in some sections.