Meteora Roads
Greece, europe
17 km
613 m
easy
April to November
The roads winding through the Meteora rock formations in central Greece connect the town of Kalabaka with the six remaining active monasteries perched atop towering sandstone pillars. These massive stone columns, some rising over 400 meters above the Thessalian plain, were formed by millions of years of erosion and became home to Eastern Orthodox monks from the 14th century onward.
The driving route is approximately 17 kilometers in a loop, climbing and descending between the rock pillars on a well-paved but winding road. Each turn reveals a new jaw-dropping perspective of the monasteries seemingly floating in the sky, with the vast Thessalian plain stretching to the horizon below. The road narrows as it passes between the rock formations, and several viewpoints offer opportunities to stop and absorb the scale of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The combination of natural geological wonder and human spiritual achievement makes this one of the most unique driving experiences in Europe.
Where is it?
Meteora Roads is located in Thessaly, Greece (europe). Coordinates: 39.7217, 21.6306
Driving Tips
Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light. Monasteries close at different times and on different days, so plan ahead. Sunset from the Observation Deck viewpoint is spectacular.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Greece
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Thessaly
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 613 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- April to November
- Coordinates
- 39.7217, 21.6306
Related Roads in europe
Port d'Envalira (Pas de la Casa)
🌍 Andorra
The Port d'Envalira at 2,408 meters is the highest paved road in the Pyrenees and the highest paved through-road in Europe that is open to general traffic. The CG-2 road in Andorra connects the capital Andorra la Vella with the French border at Pas de la Casa, climbing through the tiny principality's dramatic mountain landscape. The ascent from Andorra la Vella follows the Valira d'Orient valley, passing through the ski resort of Soldeu before reaching the treeless summit plateau. The road is well engineered with modern surfaces and safety features, as it serves as a major commercial route for Andorra's duty-free trade. Despite the engineering, the altitude and exposure make it challenging in winter when heavy snowfall and strong winds can close the pass. The Envalira tunnel provides an alternative route beneath the summit. At the top, the stark high-altitude landscape gives way to sweeping views of the surrounding Pyrenean peaks, and the descent into France via Pas de la Casa enters a dramatically different landscape.
Stelvio Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
The Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps at 2,757 meters above sea level. Located in northern Italy near the Swiss border, it connects Bormio in the province of Sondrio with the Adige Valley and Merano. The road features a staggering 48 numbered hairpin bends on the northern side from Prad and 34 on the eastern side from Bormio, making it one of the most technically demanding drives in Europe. Originally constructed between 1820 and 1825 by the Austrian Empire under engineer Carlo Donegani, the Stelvio Pass was built as a vital trade and military route connecting the Austrian province of Lombardy with the rest of the empire. The road climbs through alpine meadows, past glaciers, and along precipitous cliff edges. It has been a regular feature of the Giro d'Italia cycling race since 1953, where it is considered one of the most punishing climbs in professional cycling. The pass is typically open from June to September, depending on snow conditions. The northern approach from Prad is considered the most spectacular, with its seemingly endless series of switchbacks visible from above like a concrete ribbon draped across the mountainside. At the summit, a small settlement offers restaurants, hotels, and the Stelvio Pass Museum, which documents the road's history and its role in World War I, when fierce fighting took place in these mountains.
Lysevegen (Road 500)
🇳🇴 Norway
Lysevegen (Road 500) is a 30-kilometer mountain road in Rogaland county, Norway, connecting the Lysefjord with the Sirdal valley. The road climbs from sea level at the Lysebotn ferry terminal to 920 meters in altitude through 27 hairpin bends, including a dramatic section where the road passes through a tunnel that spirals 360 degrees inside the mountain to gain elevation. The spiral tunnel is unique in Norway and adds an element of engineering wonder to an already dramatic drive. At the top of the climb, the road emerges onto a high plateau of lakes, bogs, and open heathland, a stark contrast to the deep, narrow fjord below. The Lysefjord itself is famous for the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a flat-topped cliff 604 meters above the water, and Kjeragbolten, a boulder wedged in a mountain crevice. Lysevegen provides the most dramatic road access to this landscape, though the Lysefjord can also be reached by boat.
Vrsic Pass
🌍 Slovenia
The Vrsic Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia at 1,611 meters, connecting the town of Kranjska Gora in the upper Sava Valley with the Soca Valley and the town of Bovec. The road features 50 numbered hairpin bends, 24 on the northern approach and 26 on the southern side, many of them surfaced with original cobblestones laid by Russian prisoners of war during World War I. Built between 1914 and 1916 by over 10,000 Russian POWs under Austro-Hungarian command, the road has deep historical significance. An avalanche in March 1916 killed over 300 of these prisoners, and the Russian Chapel near the summit stands as a memorial to the fallen. The northern approach climbs steeply through forests of spruce and larch, while the southern descent into the Soca Valley reveals views of the Julian Alps and the emerald-green Soca River, renowned as one of Europe's most beautiful rivers. The cobblestoned hairpins demand careful driving, especially when wet.