Meteora and the Pindos Mountains

What should you know before visiting Meteora and the Pindos Mountains?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €5 (Greece).

• Meteora has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Six of the original monasteries survive on the rock pillars; check the opening days of each before you go.
• National Road 6 crosses the Katara Pass at about 1,705 m near Metsovo. The Egnatia Odos motorway uses tunnels farther south, so the pass road carries less traffic.
• Greek rules changed in 2025 and were clarified in 2026: parking a motorhome is generally allowed, but awnings, tables or a barbecue count as camping. Check the current rules.

The drive

Meteora lies between the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki, at the northwestern edge of the Thessalian plain. From there National Road 6 climbs through the Pindos Mountains to Metsovo and the Katara Pass, on the border of Thessaly and Epirus, and continues to Ioannina. The road is part of the Larissa–Igoumenitsa axis. Expect mountain bends and lower speeds than on the motorway.

Planning

In 2025 Greece banned overnight stays in motorhomes on beaches, in forests, at archaeological sites and in municipal car parks. Police guidance in 2026 says parking is not camping as long as nothing is set out beyond the vehicle. Outside built-up areas, park in designated places or on road shoulders unless signs forbid it. Licensed campsites exist near Kalambaka and Kastraki. Snow is possible at altitude, so check pass conditions in the cold months. Check the Hellenic Police for current guidance.

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