Kastraki at Meteora
Kastraki (meaning ‘small castle’) is a small, peaceful village that from afar looks like an eagle’s nest at the bottom of the gigantic rocks of Meteora. The whole settlement rests literally among the giant cliffs and it was first established back in the 16th century. The village of Kastraki today has a population of around 1500 people, and most of them are occupied in agriculture and tourism. The village, like the rest of the area, has developed a lot over the past few decades mainly because of tourism.
Kastraki is indeed a very picturesque place of Meteora with an authentic, local character. Feeling closer to the local lifestyle in the Greek province, enjoying the proximity to nature, and finding peace of mind are some of the major assets of this place that urge visitors to book accommodation in this traditional, beautiful village!
The village offers a variety of very modern accommodation and dining choices of the highest standards for the visitors to enjoy their stay. Kastraki village, despite this rapid growth, has successfully managed to retain the authentic atmosphere of the old times, offering today a unique combination of authenticity coupled with extraordinary views of Meteora’s rare geological phenomenon. Those are a few reasons why travelers today seem to have a high preference for the village.
The houses of the locals are mostly made of stone, embellished with roofs of red clay tiles. They do not exceed a certain height, as they abide by the regulations of the National Archaeological Committee for the preservation of the village’s couleur locale and out of respect for the surrounding landscape.
The village of Kastraki has been classified by the Greek State, following a Presidential Decree, as a traditional resort under preservation, for three consecutive times! It is a pole of natural beauty and Tourism, very distinct in the wider region of Meteora, included in the list of Cultural Heritage Sites of UNESCO.
The people of Kastraki share a particular affection for flowers. You can see flowers even in the yards of the most humble houses. Very often in difficult times of the past, the housewives of the locals would make flower pots out of tin cans, with which they decorated their houses and yards.
Location of Kastraki on the map
Our suggestions
Don’t leave Kastraki without a sample of its local cuisine, which is second to none! Dedicate precious time to walk around the most traditional and captivating old quarters of Mesohori. Kastraki is the ideal place to set off for a walk towards the Meteora rocks and the monasteries, but also to discover some of the well-hidden, fascinating old ruined Monasteries. Find out about our range of hiking tours conducted by local guides! Contact us and let us recommend you which tour would better suit your interests and needs.
Discover more around Kastraki
Old Habitation
The old habitation of Kastraki Village, also called Mesochori (meaning the village in the middle) was the old main square of Kastraki.
Old Hermitages
Today the area filled with many Meteora ruins and hidden gems, of a past period when at the hight of the monastic community the site had close to 24 active monasteries and many hermitages.