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From Athens:Meteora Caves & Monasteries History Day Trip by Train
4.8
49 Ratings
Athina
Embark on a full-day monastery tour from Athens to Meteora. Enjoy a scenic train ride through the Greek countryside, visit three monasteries, and explore the UNESCO-listed geological formation. Small groups and luxurious transportation provided.
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
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Meteora - Discover the beauty and history of Meteora on a day trip from Athens. Take in stunning views of the Greek countryside on the comfortable train ride to the town of Kalambaka. Travel with a guide on a van or a bus and stop to capture pictures at six historic monasteries.Â
Start from Larissis station, the main railway station in Athens where you will catch the train to Kalambaka. Throughout your train journey, indulge in the unique scenic routes that the Greek countryside provides.
Upon arrival, meet your guide who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. Walk with your guide to the Meteora Monasteries where you can admire the amazing Christian architecture. Discover the over 700 years of history and influence of the monasteries.
After the tour ends, you will be transferred to Kalabaka’s city center where you will have about an hour to spend under the shadow of giant rocks either having lunch or a coffee. You will get all the needed information on how to get to the train St.
- Kastraki - As soon as you arrive in Kalambaka, we will make a 20-minutes stop for Lunch, Break time, Food market visit, Coffee
- Meteora - See all the six monasteries from the outside and visit three of them depending on the arrival day: - Great Meteoron monastery: is the oldest and the biggest one. - Varlaam monastery: the second biggest monastery - Saint Stephens monastery: the most accessible monastery - Holy Trinity: the most difficult accessible monastery (known as a James Bond movie was filmed there) - Roussanou Monastery: an easy accessible monastery - Saint Nicholas monastery: important iconography and the first one we meet on our way to Meteora
Read more about From Athens:Meteora Caves & Monasteries History Day Trip by Train - https://www.viator.com/tours/Athens/day-rail-trip-from-Athens/d496-112958P4?mcid=56757
What's Included
- Visit the Hermit Caves
- See all six remaining monasteries and visit 3 of them
- Luxury mini-bus transportation by Mercedes
- Local English-speaking tour leader
- Round-trip ticket from Athens-Kalambaka
- On-board WiFi
- Wi-Fi and USB chargers on board
- Bottled water
What's Not Included
- Monasteries entrance fees which are 3€
- Gratuities (optional)
- Credit cards are not accepted for paying the monasteries entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Option for another tour language (to be arranged at an extra cost)
- Pickup / Drop off from Hotel in Athens to railway station
- Licensed guide, inside the monasteries
Additional Information
Begin from Stathmos Larissis, the central railway station of Athens, where you will get on the train that takes you to Kalambaka. The train departs at 07:58 AM.At approximately 10:45 AM, the train will make a stop at Paleofarsalos, where you should exit and catch the connecting bus that will continue the trip to Kalambaka. Throughout your journey, indulge in the unique scenic the Greek countryside provides.Upon arrival, meet your guide, who will be holding a signboard with your name on it.
~Full day rail trip from Athens
~See all six remaining monasteries
~Visit three of them
~Luxurious air conditioned Mercedes mini-bus for your transportation to Meteora
~Free Wifi
~Round-trip rail tickets inlcluded to the price
No credit card
accepted for paying the entrance fee to the monasteries
Small groups for a more personalized experience
~If you are in Athens this is propably the ideal way to explore one of the most
impressive monuments worldwide.
- You will receive an e-mail with the train e-tickets a few days before the tour.
- Please make sure you have cash for the monasteries 3 euro each entrance
Location
Stathmos Larisis
Head to Athens railway station by your own and you must be there at 07.30 am in order to complete the boarding procedure on time.The train departs at 07:58 AM.At approximately 10:45 AM, the train will make a stop at Paleofarsalos, where you should exit and catch the connecting bus to Kalampaka.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(49 Ratings)
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Kevin_f
Aug 10, 2024
Great day trip. - Started off at the train station. We took the train because we thought it would be a comfortable. We however did ride a bus from one train station to the next because the tracks got washed out in a flood during the spring. We go to the small bus pickup and our driver was there. Great young guy. Very friendly. Took us around the town, got lunch at a nice little family restaurant and headed on up the mountain. I believe he took us to all the stops and have us plenty of time. Brought us back to the train and explained how the ride back proceeds. Over a great experience and would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Ta907
Aug 7, 2024
Unique, Fascinating, Great Guide, Great Driver - Meteora was unique and fascinating. The guide was AWESOME. She answered questions, stopped when we wanted extra photos (a small group was nice). The driver was great too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B7778mseileenh
Jul 22, 2024
Meteora Rocks really rock! - Trip by train and bus was long, but really worth it to see this amazing Unesco site of Meteora and it's monasteries. Our guide, Panos, was entertaining, friendly, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this day trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christine_l
Jul 7, 2024
Truly outstanding - The monasteries and the views were unforgettable. Truly outstanding. Our guide Joanna and driver Costa were outstanding. Truly professional in every way. They made the trip even better. Whilst the train trip is long, it is comfortable and the organisation and instructions were very easy to follow. This day trip to Meteora is a must do, it is clearly one of the most outstanding destinations for scenery in the world. Be prepared to climb a number of stairs, but I recently had a knee replacement and handled it ok. A very long day, and would do it again I a heart beat.
Review provided by Viator
Wayne_l
Jun 29, 2024
A best kept secret! - The Meteora tour was absolutely beautiful! The Tour director Juliana and driver Steve were very accommodating, had extensive historical knowledge, what to see and where to get that perfect memorable photo. The monasteries were a sight to see with minimal crowds. A definite relief from most other historical sights to see.
Lunch was fantastic. The train and bus connection was actually quite restful. Fields of blossoming sun flowers majestic mountains and rolling fields were pleasing to eye. It was also an opportunity to enjoy some idle time with my wife and son playing a card game. Sometimes being a captive audience is good thing.
Enjoy!
Review provided by Viator
Daryl_b
Jun 11, 2024
Day Trip to Meteora - This was a fantastic tour! The main issue was it took so long to get there, 4+ hours, that we didn't get a chance to visit but 3 monasteries. But the views were breathtaking!
Review provided by Viator
Rosieci5849qi
May 24, 2024
Perfectly managed tour of a spectacular site - I would highly recommend this amazing tour. The only drawback is it's a long day, starting about 7am and not getting home until 10.45pm. But it's worth it to be able to fit so much into a one-day tour from Athens. Going part way by train is excellent - it's more comfortable and you get some amazing views of the plateaus and mountains you travel through. The public bus is only perhaps 1.75 hours of the journey. The lovely Penny and Mr Stathis met us in a mini bus at Kalabaka station and from that point, we spent 5 hours without wasting a moment.
We stopped at many amazing viewpoints during the day to really see the monasteries and photograph the stunning landscape. We also went inside 3 monasteries (St Stephen, Varlaam and Roussanou, but this is variable as different monasteries are closed on different days), and we saw all the other monasteries from a distance, and in between we had a quick but delicious lunch (not included in price). Admission to the monasteries is also extra, but it's only about 3 Euro each. Ladies do literally have to wear a skirt (not long pants) but the tour company provided those to put over our clothes.
Varlaam and Roussanou had 100 - 150 steps each, but they were neat and not hard to climb. St Stephen is the only monastery with no steps to get up (there are small staircases inside). Great Meteoron and Aghia Triada have 300 steps. If you have very limited mobility, you can't 100% guarantee you will be able to see inside one, but your chances are good, and if the weather is ok you will definitely get to see them from the outside.
Meteora is not like any other sight I have seen and this tour was the best way to see them - I can't imagine how it could have been better.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kingdrewtoo
May 3, 2024
Day trip - Very well managed tour guide was knowledgeable. Very good trip. I recommend staying longer in Kalambaka
Review provided by Viator
Evan_w
Apr 28, 2024
Guide and Driver were fantastic! - This was one of the highlights of our trip. The only downside was the bus ride between the train and when the tour operator picked us up. That part was cramped and hot. The tour operator and driver were amazing. They were very nice and strived to make a connection with everyone on the trip. The driver was amazing at taking photos and we felt like we had a professional photo shoot. The tour operator really loves the area and the culture and you could tell. They did everything they could to make our tour as good as it could be and they succeeded.
Review provided by Viator
Sean_b
Jun 19, 2024
This trip should have a... - This trip should have a warning for anyone who does not do a lot of cardio and wants a very long day from Athens. It's a taxi ride to the train station, 3 1/2 hours on the train to a bus for 2 hours to get to the tour van. then you have to do it all on the way back again. The bathrooms on the train are disgusting. Once you get to see the monasteries, they are beautiful but to get to them is a lot of steps and hills on uneven surfaces. They are very interesting, but I would not do this tour again. We did stop at a restaurant run by the locals and the food was amazing.
Review provided by Viator
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