Kalambaka

Towered over by the Meteora’s otherworldly pinnacles, the Greek town of Kalambaka (Καλαμπάκα) centers around its main square that’s dotted with fountains and surrounded by lively tavernas. A small town of 12,000, the town is fairly new, much of the original having been burned to the ground by the Nazis in WWII. 
Rebuilt after the end of the war, Kalambaka is busy with visitors to the Meteora all year round. With the town’s economy based on tourism, there’s a good range of hotels and hostels. In the town itself, a popular visit is to the Center of Contemporary Art, which exhibits artworks from the private collection of Greek art collector Leonidas Beltsios. Kalambaka also has a long tradition in the production of handmade wood carvings, which you can learn more about at the town’s traditional wood-carving school. It’s also worth visiting the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin. Dating back to the 12th century, the ancient chapel is filled with murals and incorporates the wall of an ancient Greek temple.
Once an important center for the Byzantine Empire, the name Kalambaka comes from the days of the Ottoman Empire ( “kale mpak” is Turkish for Prestigious Castle). Also spelled Kalabaka, the presence of the meteora is never far away — whenever you look north, those steep rocks topped with monasteries feel close enough to touch. 

Practical Info

To get to Kalambaka from Athens, the bus (Terminal B, Liossion Street) or train (from Larissa station) to Kalambaka takes around four to five hours.