30 Most Remote Monasteries Where Time Stands Still

Would you cross a desert, climb a cliff, or trek through ice to find a monastery? Some people do.

Monasteries built for solitude and survival are hidden in the world’s most extreme locations. These are places where monks have lived undisturbed for centuries—where no roads lead, no tourists gather, and silence is the only prayer. These 30 remote monasteries weren’t built for easy visits. But if you dare to find them, they just might change the way you see the world.

1. Bobbio Abbey (Abbazia di San Colombano), Italy

Bobbio Abbey is a historic monastery founded in 614, known for its medieval manuscripts and stunning architecture.

Nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bobbio Abbey was founded by St. Columbanus, an Irish missionary, in 614 AD. The abbey quickly became a renowned center for learning and monasticism, housing one of medieval Europe’s most significant libraries. The Romanesque-style church and cloisters reflect its rich history. 

2. Meteora Monasteries, Greece

The Meteora Monasteries are Gravity-defying structures perched atop rock pillars, offering breathtaking views and spiritual serenity.

Rising dramatically from the Thessalian Plain, the Meteora Monasteries seem suspended between heaven and earth. Dating back to the 14th century, they were built to offer monks refuge from Ottoman invasions. Originally accessible only by rope ladders and pulleys, these monasteries remain an incredible feat of engineering and faith.

3. Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), Bhutan

An iconic cliffside monastery steeped in legend and Buddhist tradition, Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous religious site, clings to a sheer cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. Legend says Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress to meditate in the 8th century. The monastery complex, built in 1692, features striking golden roofs, sacred caves, and prayer halls filled with Buddhist relics.

4. Sumela Monastery, Turkey

A breathtaking Greek Orthodox monastery carved into a mountainside in Turkey’s Black Sea region and founded in the 4th century, this Greek Orthodox monastery was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is famous for its well-preserved frescoes depicting biblical scenes. Overlooking lush forests and waterfalls, its remote location offers both solitude and stunning natural beauty.