Obtaining a Diamonitirion at the Pilgrim's Bureau
The Diamonitirion
The diamonitiria (plural: diamonitiria) is the official permit for staying on Mount Athos, issued usually for a stay of four days
for non-Orthodox visitors. It is your official Identification during your stay on Mount Athos. You cannot embark on the ferry
boat to Mount Athos without it. Upon arrival at a monastery, visitors planning to stay the night register in a guest book in which
they enter the identification number of the diamonitirion. Visitors may not extend their stays beyond the term specified on the
dimonitirion, unless they receive an official extension from the Holy Executive of the Holy Mountain.
The Pilgrim's Bureau
Diamonitiria are issued in Ouranoupolis at the Pilgrim's Bureau. The Pilgrim's Bureau is located on a side street which goes from the main road down toward the sea. At the intersection is the town's only automobile service station. The Pilgrim's Bureau is located just behind the service station. It is well marked with a large yellow sign in Greek and English.
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Holy Executive of the Holy Mountain Pilgrim's Bureau
The Pilgrim's Bureau opens at 8:00 each morning, well in advance of the 9:45 a.m. departure of the morning ferry boat from Ouranoupolis to Daphne (the port of Mount Athos) and in time for pilgrims arriving on the morning bus from Thessaloniki. It is also open several hours each afternoon for those wishing to obtain permits a day in advance.