Kalambaka

Kalambaka, also spelled Kalabaka, is a town in the Thessaly region of central Greece. It is the seat of the municipality of Kalabaka in the Trikala regional unit. The town is situated at the base of the Meteora rock formations, a dramatic landscape that rises above the town and is one of Greece’s most famous natural and religious sites.

Together with the nearby village of Kastraki, Kalambaka serves as the principal gateway for visitors to the Meteora monasteries. The Meteora complex comprises Orthodox monasteries built on top of sandstone pillars from the 14th to the 16th centuries, including the Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou, and St. Nicholas Anapafsas. The monasteries are connected by footpaths and stairways, and the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The name Meteora means “suspended in the air.”

The wider region has ancient roots, and the monasteries became important centers of monasticism and learning during the late Byzantine period. The modern town grew as a service center for pilgrims, travelers, and, later, tourists visiting the Meteora complex.

Today, Kalambaka’s economy relies heavily on tourism and hospitality linked to Meteora. The town is accessible by road and rail; Trikala serves as a regional hub and onward connections to Athens and Thessaloniki are available by road or rail. Visitors come for monastery visits, hiking, and rock climbing, making Kalambaka a common base for exploring the Meteora UNESCO site.