Permit to enter Mt Athos-diamonitirion

Permit to enter Mt Athos-diamonitirion

Only 100 lay Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male pilgrims are permitted to enter Mt Athos/ Actually many hundreds enter even in winter.
Permit is issued by the Pilgrims' Bureau office in Thessaloniki
There are two types of diamonitirion:

The genikon diamonitirion

or "general permit" is issued by the Pilgrims' Bureau (officially known as the Holy Executive οf the Holy Mount Athos - Pilgrims' Bureau) in Thessaloniki, located on Egnatia Street near the Arch of Galeriu, tel 0030-2310-252578, και fax 0030-2310-222424. This permit gives the right to stay in Mount Athos for 3 nights (4 days including the day of departure). It can be extended in Karyes if necessary, generally for an additional two nights. This permit is limited to 100 Orthodox visitors and 10 non-Orthodox visitors per day. Pilgrims can apply up to 6 months in advance. High season is typically during July, August, Christmas, Great Lent, and Easter, and slots may fill up a few months in advance.

The idikon diamonitirion

or "individual permit" (Greek: ειδικον διαμονητήριον) is issued by the monastery itself for a period usually from 4 days to 1 year, officially with the right to reside only in the monastery indicated in the invitation (although in practice, a pilgrim with this permission may actually also stay overnight in any other monastery).

Information on boats to Athos https://www.agioreitikes-grammes.com/useful-numbers/

Step by step

1. Call tel 0030-2310-252578 and book a date for your visit to Athos, months ahead.
2. Call monastery and get permission
3. Book with boat https://www.agioreitikes-grammes.com/useful-numbers/
4. Book hotel in Ouranoupoli for day before your visit, spend the night there, Early next morning hotel will guide you. We recommend Xenios Zeus hotel