Mount Athos

The Holy Mountain is a monastic state of pristine beauty without much technology. No women are allowed in, and men follow the monks' program.

How to go Where to stay
The sunrise over the cliffs of Mount Athos while the sun is reflecting at the calm waters of the Aegean sea.
photo: Horia Varlan / CC BY 2.0

Mount Athos Attractions

A close up of inner yard of Philotheou Monastery with the main church and the building that hosts the cells of the monks.
photo: SKoikopoulos / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Philotheou Monastery

Located in Mount Athos mainland on a spot of natural beauty among the dense vegetation, Philotheou Monastery is run by 70 monks.

Part of the inner yard with a church, buildings that host monks' cells, and other facilities of the Vatopedi Monastery.
photo: Russian Cathedral St John the Baptist / CC BY-SA 2.0
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Vatopedi Monastery

The second in the hierarchy, this monastery of the north-east Athos has a long history and attracts many guests.

A picture of the Iviron monastery, the vegetable gardens, and other facilities within a landscape of dense vegetation.
photo: CosmoSolomon / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Iviron Monastery

Third in hierarchy this impressive monastery hosts numerous invaluable relics and pieces of ecclesiastical art and other religious treasures.

A picture showing the exterior of the buildings that compose the defensive walls of the monastery of Hilandari.
photo: Саша Шљукић / CC BY 3.0
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Hilandar (Chilandari) Monastery

Within the dense vegetation of Athos mainland, it is the religious center of Serbian Orthodoxy, and home to about 70 monks.

A picture of Dionysiou from the sea showing the architecture of the monastery built on the rock.
photo: Explorer1940 / CC BY-SA 4.0
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Dionysiou Monastery

Having the form of a medieval castle, this monastery dominates over the coastal landscape. It's rich in relics and religious artifacts.

The Monastery of Pantokratoros and its chapels are built by the coastline.
photo: Aroche / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Pantokratoros Monastery

Being the 7th in the hierarchical ranking, this monastery and its chapels house 80 monks and also a rare full body hagiography of Virgin Mary.

A photo of the exterior of Zografou Monastery as it is surrounded by the dense mountainous vegetation.
photo: Georgid / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Zografos Monastery

Center of Bulgarian Orthodoxy hosting a mostly Bulgarian fraternity of 45 monks. It's located by dense forest.

The seafront, the churches, the facilities, and the dense vegetation in the background of Docheiariou Monastery.
photo: Кочев / CC BY-SA 4.0
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Docheiariou Monastery

A coastline Byzantine monastery that attracts thousands of pilgrims and is famous for the hagiography of Virgin Mary, the "Gorgoepikoos".

+ 14 Mount Athos Attractions →

Mount Athos Beaches

An aerial image showing Ouranoupolis Beach as well as a part of the homonymous settlement.
photo: Marco Verch / CC BY 2.0
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Ouranoupolis Beach

The last town before Mount Athos, Ouranoupolis, has a fine-sand beach by a medieval tower. A nice beach without many tourists.

Mount Athos Why visit?

  • An Autonomous Monastic State and center of the Orthodox monasticism.
  • Known as Virgin Mary's Garden.
  • Women are barred from entering but can cruise along the coastline.

Mount Athos Things to Do

A picture shows the cruise tour boat with a monastery in the background.
photo: michael clarke stuff / CC BY-SA 2.0
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Athos Boat Trips / Cruises (From Ouranoupoli)

Three-hour boat trip carried out daily from April to October, that will have you admiring Mount Athos' wilderness from afar. Open to women too.

Mount Athos Settlements

A central cobbled street of Karyes in Mount Athos and houses with the typical traditional architecture.
photo: Zacharias

Karyes

Mount Athos

The capital of the monastic state hosts the administrative seat of Mount Athos and is located in the middle of the peninsula.

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