Mount Athos, also called Agion Oros (Holy Mountain) is a unique male monastic society. It is located on a peninsula in Chalkidiki, in Northern Greece just some 130kms from Thessaloniki, an interesting city of byzantine tradition.

Agion Oros has been a secluded place, accessed from the sea and allowed to men only, for more than 1000 years. It remains the only place where the visitor can experience life as it was during the times of the Byzantine Empire. Agion Oros was founded in 963AD. Ever since, it has been greatly supported by the Byzantine Emperors and stood strong to all invasions and dangers during the centuries. Today it is a place where the male visitors can live in the ways of the Byzantine era for a few days, can discover the mysticism of the orthodox religion and way of life, can admire the wonderful works of hagiography and can enjoy the unspoiled nature.

Please note that Mount Athos and its monasteries are religious holy places of worship. The facilities within the monasteries are completely plain and humble and any visitors would have to adjust to the monk’s daily routine schedule. There are no 5-star hotel facilities and dinner is for all visitors together with the monks. The pray hours, vespers, holy liturgy are not obligatory, guests may follow for as long as they like.

Visitors are customarily welcome, however, in some occasions, the entrance to the monasteries may be closed i.e. in case of some exceptional causes like high sea turbulence, or, in cases like a pandemic, the entrance may also be closed, not the exit. Our principals in that region would usually be aware of such situations once they occur.