The standard requirements
- Women: Skirts (NOT pants/trousers) covering knees. Shoulders covered. No tank tops, no spaghetti straps, no bare midriffs. No transparent fabrics.
- Men: Long pants (NO shorts of any length). Shoulders covered (no tank tops or sleeveless shirts). T-shirts are fine.
- Both: Hat off when entering. No loud talking. Some interior areas prohibit photography (signs are clear). Children's dress code is enforced lightly but ideally follow same rules for older kids.
What Meteora monasteries provide
Each Meteora monastery has wraparound skirts at the entrance for women in pants. The skirts are simple, often well-worn fabric. You wrap, secure, and return on exit. Meteora monasteries do NOT provide pants for men in shorts — they will turn you away.
If you'll visit multiple monasteries in a single day, bring your own light scarf or wrap. The monastery-provided skirts get switched between visitors.
Stricter monasteries
Mount Athos (Greek Orthodox monastic peninsula): Women are NOT permitted at all (a 1,000-year ban on women, female animals, even female photography of monks). Men only. Visitors require a "diamonitirion" (special permit) booked 6+ months ahead.
Hosios Loukas Monastery: Standard rules but enforced strictly. Has wraparound skirts at entrance.
Patmos (Cave of the Apocalypse, Monastery of St. John): Standard rules. Wraparound skirts available.