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.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/mount-athos-philotheou.jpg)
Philotheou Monastery
Located in Mount Athos mainland on a spot of natural beauty among the dense vegetation, Philotheou Monastery is run by 70 monks.
Vatopedi Monastery
The second in the hierarchy, this monastery of the north-east Athos has a long history and attracts many guests.
Iviron Monastery
Third in hierarchy this impressive monastery hosts numerous invaluable relics and pieces of ecclesiastical art and other religious treasures.
Hilandar (Chilandari) Monastery
Within the dense vegetation of Athos mainland, it is the religious center of Serbian Orthodoxy, and home to about 70 monks.
Dionysiou Monastery
Having the form of a medieval castle, this monastery dominates over the coastal landscape. It's rich in relics and religious artifacts.
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.
Zografos Monastery
Center of Bulgarian Orthodoxy hosting a mostly Bulgarian fraternity of 45 monks. It's located by dense forest.
Docheiariou Monastery
A coastline Byzantine monastery that attracts thousands of pilgrims and is famous for the hagiography of Virgin Mary, the "Gorgoepikoos".
Karakalou Monastery
In the form of a medieval castle and located in the middle of an untouched forest, this monastery has many relics and part of the Holy Cross.
Simonopetra Monastery
One of the most impressive monasteries, it is built on a rock surrounded by gardens, and is considered an architectural masterpiece.
St. Paul Monastery
The monastery of Saint Paul has a long history that sometimes brought it to the edge of total destruction and oblivion. It's close to Mount Athos itself.
![The road leading to the main entrance of Stavronikita and the monastery exterior with the defensive tower.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/mount-athos-stavronikita.jpg)
Stavronikita Monastery
Located on the east coast of Mount Athos, it is well-known for its robust defensive architecture, and its amazing sea-view.
Xenophontos Monastery
The west coast of Mount Athos hosts the monastery that stands out for its two main churches dedicated to Saint George. It was built around 998AD.
Osiou Gregoriou Monastery
Built around 1310, it now has around 100 monks. It hosts relics and hagiography of historical value and a small cave where the founding monk used to live in.
St. Panteleimon Monastery
It becomes quickly clear to the visitor that this is a Russian monastery. The architecture, language, rituals, and the monks themselves are from Russia.
![A view of the exterior of Konstamonitou with the vegetable garden that is located outside the walls of the monastery.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/mount-athos-konstamonitou.jpg)
Konstamonitou Monastery
Hidden in the woods and with long history, this monastery offers its pilgrims and guests a journey through time. It's the last in hierarchy.
Koutloumousiou Monastery
In a close distance from the capital of Mount Athos, Karyes, this monastery administrates a large part of the central Athos.
![The main church of Esphigmenou Monastery surrounded by buildings that host the cells of the monks and other facilities.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/mount-athos-esphigmenou.jpg)
Esphigmenou Monastery
The monastic fraternity here exercises an uncompromising and zealous version of Christian Orthodox faith that's the strictest of all.
Great (Megistis) Lavra Monastery
This historical monastery heads the Mount Athos hierarchy and among twenty other monasteries, it's "the First".
![The yard of Xeropotamou monastery including the basin (fiali), a part of the main church, and the surrounding buildings.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/mount-athos-xeropotamou.jpg)
Xeropotamou Monastery
Located almost in the middle of Mount Athos, it stands out for its rich library and numerous heirlooms, including a piece of the Holy Cross.
![The tower of Prosphorion at the seafront of Ouranoupoli during a cloudy day.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/ouranoupoli-tower-prosphorion.jpg)
Byzantine Tower of Prosphorion
The 12th century Byzantine tower at the seafront is now Ouranoupoli's landmark. You can enter the building and learn more.
![The remains and the main entrance of the main church of the ancient monastery of Zygos.](https://youingreece.com/img/sight/ouranoupoli-zygou-monastery.jpg)
Zygou Monastery (Ruins)
An ancient monastery of Mount Athos that was abandoned at the beginning of the 12th century. It's close to a nice beach, so maybe you combine them?