A sacred peninsula housing 20 walled monasteries of Athonite architecture; restricted to male pilgrims and inhabited by monks since the 9th century; the cliffs rise 2;033 metres directly from the Aegean; watch the sun rise from the balcony of Simonos Petra; the sound of the sea crashing against the moss-slicked basalt foundations far below is the only break in a millennium of liturgical silence.
About Autonomous Monastic State
A sacred peninsula housing 20 walled monasteries of Athonite architecture; restricted to male pilgrims and inhabited by monks since the 9th century; the cliffs rise 2;033 metres directly from the Aegean; watch the sun rise from the balcony of Simonos Petra; the sound of the sea crashing against the moss-slicked basalt foundations far below is the only break in a millennium of liturgical silence.
Why Visit
Autonomous Monastic State is one of Greece's defining sites — a place that rewards every visitor differently.
Best Season
🌤 Year-round
Quick Facts
Location
Greece
Type
attraction
Insider Tips
- 1
Autonomous Monastic State is best explored on foot — take your time and soak in the atmosphere.
- 2
Visit at different times of day for a completely different perspective.
- 3
Combine your visit with nearby attractions to make the most of your time in Greece.
