Greece Plans Meteora Geopark 1.5 times Size of Greater London

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The Meteora-Pyli UNESCO Global Geopark is seeking to connect geology, nature, culture, gastronomy and local business across a 2,410-square-kilometre area in central Greece, extending from Meteora and Theopetra to Aspropotamos, Pyli and Palaiokarya.

The geopark covers the municipalities of Meteora and Pyli and brings together a diverse collection of geological formations, natural landscapes, historic monuments, archaeological sites, local traditions and food products.

According to the Municipality of Meteora, the geopark features 21 distinctive geological formations, six caves, seven religious monuments and 32 trails. The area also contains rich flora and fauna, elements of intangible cultural heritage and a strong local gastronomic identity.

Meteora already holds UNESCO World Heritage status, giving the wider area an internationally recognised tourism attraction around which local authorities now want to build a broader destination.

The central challenge is to move beyond promotion and connect the region’s natural and cultural wealth with its businesses, producers and local communities.

That was the focus of the event “Geotourism Development and Local Partnerships”, held in Kalabaka on September 29 to mark World Tourism Day. The Meteora-Pyli Geopark organised the event in cooperation with the Municipalities of Meteora and Pyli.

21 geological formations from Meteora to Aspropotamos

The geopark’s 21 geological sites form its core and UNESCO recognises them as part of the area’s global geological heritage.

They include Meteora, the Adrahti and Gavros geomorphological formations, the Athamania Gorge, the “Mantani tou Daimona” waterfalls at Tzourtza, the springs of Aspropotamos and the alpine Lake Verliga.

The list also includes the Gropa Gorge and Koziakas Thrust, the double waterfall at Palaiokarya, Bei’s Cave, the Portaïkos Valley and its folds, the Malakasiotis Valley, the tafoni and geomorphological formations at Agios Dimitrios, the Volioti sinkhole, the Panagia ophiolites, Katara, the “Trypio Lithari” Arch, Malakasi’s oceanic sediments, Theopetra Cave and the Kalabaka tafoni.

Together, they create what effectively amounts to a vast open-air geological museum, where different landscapes and geological histories form a continuous journey across the region.

From geology to culture and gastronomy

The geopark’s role extends well beyond protecting and promoting geological formations.

The UNESCO Global Geoparks model links geological heritage with the natural environment, history, archaeology, culture, education and sustainable development.

In the Meteora-Pyli Geopark, these elements coexist across an area with 32,126 residents, six caves, seven religious monuments and 32 trails.

A visitor who comes to Meteora can therefore explore beyond the iconic landmark, visiting Theopetra, geological sites and villages, walking local trails, discovering the area’s history and culture and sampling regional products and cuisine.

The aim is to create a connected network of experiences that brings these attractions together.

Turning the geopark into a local economic engine

The Kalabaka event focused particularly on how the geopark can support people and businesses operating across the region.

Tourism professionals and business owners discussed their experiences, market needs, opportunities and challenges.

The proposed model links individual parts of the destination: a geological site with a hiking route, the route with a village, the village with a producer and the local product with a gastronomic experience.

Together, these elements can form a complete proposition for visitors and allow the geopark to serve as an umbrella connecting tourism, culture, production and entrepreneurship.

Geopark special adviser Nikos Pitsioulis highlighted the importance of partnerships in moving from simply promoting the area’s natural and geological wealth to creating integrated visitor experiences.

Grigoris Papacharalampous, chief executive of the development organisation Thessaloma and a representative of the geopark’s administration, presented available tools and opportunities for creating stronger links between businesses, local products and visitors.

€12 million secured for the geopark

Funding will play a significant role in turning the development strategy into projects.

The Region of Thessaly has secured €12 million for the Integrated Territorial Investment of the Meteora-Pyli Geopark, according to figures presented at the event.

The funding provides an important financial base for interventions and initiatives across the area and strengthens cooperation between the two municipalities and the region.

The municipalities of Meteora and Pyli, together with the Region of Thessaly, have developed a joint approach because the geopark’s development cannot rest with a single authority.

Meteora mayor calls geopark a common development umbrella

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Meteora Mayor Lefteris Avramopoulos said the region needs to connect its different strengths and encourage visitors to explore beyond Meteora.

“The major challenge is to connect all the comparative advantages of the area, so visitors to Meteora have reasons to discover the geological sites, villages, museums, routes, producers and local gastronomy,” Avramopoulos said.

He described the Meteora-Pyli Geopark as a potential “common umbrella” linking the natural environment, geological heritage, culture, local economy and tourism.

Avramopoulos also highlighted support from the Region of Thessaly, saying Regional Governor Dimitris Kouretashad secured the €12 million investment for the geopark’s Integrated Territorial Investment.

He said the funding would provide a foundation for actions that further promote the geopark and connect it with the local economy and entrepreneurship.

Avramopoulos also pointed to cooperation with the Municipality of Pyli and Mayor Kostas Maravas, saying the two municipalities share a common approach to developing the area and are working with the Region of Thessaly on the initiative.

From global recognition to local value

The UNESCO Global Geoparks Network counted 213 geoparks in 48 countries in 2024, according to information presented at the event.

Their mission extends beyond geological conservation to include education, environmental protection, sustainable development and stronger links between geological heritage and local communities.

That represents the central challenge for the Meteora-Pyli Geopark: turning international recognition into a platform that connects Meteora with surrounding villages, geological sites with trails, nature with culture, production with gastronomy and visitors with local communities.

With €12 million in funding, cooperation between the two municipalities and the region, and the participation of local professionals, the next step is to translate the area’s 2,410 square kilometres of natural and cultural capital into visitor experiences, longer stays, partnerships and tangible economic value for local communities.

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