How can I stay in a Greek monastery?

by Caroline
(Stockholm, Sweden)

I just wanted to know the name of the Monastery in Thessaloniki, (or any Monastery in the Halkidiki area that will accept female guests) where you stayed with nuns, and possibly get the adress.

Answer:

Unfortunately the monastery I stayed in in Thessaloniki doesn't take guests - I was only there as part of a research study group that involved the monastery.

That said, it is extremely difficult to find women's accommodations in Greek monasteries (let alone in a specific region), and just as difficult to find information in English. Strangely enough, it is a lot easier to find Greek Orthodox nunneries, as the women's monasteries are called, outside Greece.

Despite quite a bit of digging, I haven't been able to come up with much. Perhaps other readers will...

A few tour organizations offer trips that include stays in Greek monasteries, and a random search brought up Goddess Pilgrimage and Pilgrimage Links.

These nunneries either have a web presence or are quoted by readers:
- Fragovouni Nunnery (Chios)
- Agios Nikolaos Nunnery (Santorini) Agios Nikolaos Nunnery
- Convent of Annunciation (Patmos)
- Agios Stephanos (Meteora)
- Asprovalta St. Lydia nunnery

You could also contact the Greet National Tourist Office in your country, or in Greece at visitgreece@gnto.gr, and it occurs to me that the Association of Tourist Guides of Thessaloniki might have some ideas at guideskg@otenet.gr. Of course there is no guarantee you'll be able to correspond in English.

Finally, you might glean some insight from these stories:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/steph-is-abroad/1/1213259040/tpod.html or
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mikvs/1/1250554724/tpod.html

You could also try this list of monasteries at
orthodox-christianity.org

If you do find any additional information I'm sure other readers would appreciate if you could come back and post it here!

Still DREAMING about taking that first big trip?
What's stopping you from DOING it?

If you're nervous about setting out on your own, if you find yourself making all sorts of excuses, if there are a million reasons why right now is not the right time...

Then you really need the Art of Solo Travel ! This book is made for you. Whatever is holding you back, The Art of Solo Travel takes the obstacles away, relieves your fears and insecurities, and gets you on the road!

Find out more