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Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves Day Trip
4.7
1,056 Ratings
Athens
Embark on a full-day adventure from Athens to Meteora by train. Explore the stunning landscapes, visit all six monasteries, and discover hidden gems. Don’t miss the breathtaking sunset!
Embark on a full-day adventure from Athens to Meteora by train. Explore the stunning landscapes, visit all six monasteries, and discover hidden gems. Don’t miss the breathtaking sunset!
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Kastraki - Upon reaching Kalabaka, we’ll begin the adventure with a leisurely lunch and a convenient restroom break in the charming village of Kastraki. Take this opportunity to refuel and prepare for an awe-inspiring exploration of the breathtaking Meteora region.
- Kastraki - Upon reaching Kalabaka, we’ll begin the adventure with a leisurely lunch and a convenient restroom break in the charming village of Kastraki. Take this opportunity to refuel and prepare for an awe-inspiring exploration of the breathtaking Meteora region.
What's Included
- Lunch in a local restaurant (if option selected)
- Bottled water
- Free audio guide: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Korean, Chinese.
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle with free WiFi & USB chargers
- Local English speaking tour leader
- People who join the tour from November to February 28 will experience the…
- Lunch in a local restaurant (if option selected)
- Bottled water
- Free audio guide: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Korean, Chinese.
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle with free WiFi & USB chargers
- Local English speaking tour leader
- People who join the tour from November to February 28 will experience the breathtaking sunset
- Visit inside 3 monasteries and the hidden hermit caves
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees (5 euros per person at each monastery)
- State Licensed guide, inside the monasteries
- Entrance fees (5 euros per person at each monastery)
- State Licensed guide, inside the monasteries
Additional Information
Begin an unforgettable adventure from Athens at 8:00 am aboard a modern coach, enjoying the picturesque Greek landscapes along the way. Arrive in Meteora by 12:30 pm and delight in lunch at the quaint Kastraki Village. Experience a 4-hour tour of all six renowned Meteora monasteries, with special access to three, and explore the monasteries and hermit…
Begin an unforgettable adventure from Athens at 8:00 am aboard a modern coach, enjoying the picturesque Greek landscapes along the way. Arrive in Meteora by 12:30 pm and delight in lunch at the quaint Kastraki Village. Experience a 4-hour tour of all six renowned Meteora monasteries, with special access to three, and explore the monasteries and hermit caves. End your day with a comfortable return, reaching Athens around 10:30 pm, filled with cherished memories and stories.
A live local English-speaking guide will offer captivating insights into the history and importance of each site, ensuring a memorable and educational journey.
The tour is conducted in English only. Additional languages (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese) are available through a complimentary SMART audio guide.
Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch with 10 dish options, including meat, vegetarian, and vegan selections, with bread and water included. You have the option to order and pay directly at the restaurant.
- Dress Code for Monastery Visits: Please note that a modest dress code is enforced to enter the monasteries. For women, skirts below the knee or longer are required. Pants, shorts, or sleeveless shirts are not allowed. For men, sleeveless clothing and shorts above the knee are also prohibited.
- Rain or Shine: This tour will take place regardless of the weather conditions. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and accessories to ensure a comfortable experience.
- Climbing Steps to Monastery Tops: Please be aware that reaching the top of the monasteries involves climbing steps. There are no elevators available, so please consider this if you have any mobility concerns.
- Pick-up and Drop-off at Kalambaka Train Station: Your tour guide will be waiting for you at Kalambaka Train Station, regardless of any train delays. Please be aware that the activity provider is not responsible for any train delays that may affect the duration of the tour.
- Please make sure you have cash for the monasteries 5 euro each entrance. There is no ATM machine in the area.
- Supplier is not responsible if you miss the bus please be there on time (15 minutes before the departure)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers
- Tour is guided in English only. Additional languages (Spanish, French German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese) are available on a free SMART audio guide.
- At midday, you will enjoy a relaxing break in the picturesque village of Kastraki, where you can savor a delicious traditional Greek meal at a local restaurant. You will have the option to choose from 10 authentic Greek dishes, catering to all dietary preferences: Meat & Poultry Options: Chicken baked in the oven with potatoes Meatballs in red sauce (Soutzoukakia) Pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna) Moussaka Vegetarian Choices: Greek salad Spinach and feta cheese pie Cheese pie Vegan Options: Stuffed peppers & tomatoes with risotto (Gemista) Briam (Greek-style roasted vegetables) Giant beans baked in the oven (Gigantes) Bread and water are included with the meal. If you prefer, you can also choose and pay for your meal directly at the restaurant.
Location
Larissa Station
The bus will depart from Larissis train station in Athens at 08:00am. We request you to be present at the exit of the Larissa metro/subway station on Deligianni str, directly opposite the Athens train station Everest cafe, by 07:45am.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(1056 Ratings)
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283krzysztofd
Feb 25, 2025
It's worth it, despite the long ride - You have to be prepared for the long ride. It's 4.5 hours one way, but it's still worth it. The organization of the transport and the site visit was perfect, no issues at all.
The views are spectacular. The local guide is very nice and knowledgeable. On site it was a little rushed, as in two monasteries we were just before the closing time. But this was not a real issue, we had enough time to visit and take photos.
On the other hand the lunch was rather average, but that probably because everywhere else in Greece the cuisine is really amazing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirsty_f
Feb 25, 2025
A unique experience - This is a long day trip, as long as you go in to it accepting that, then it really is a unique trip to see something unusual. It’s about 4-5 hours each way for the travel with a break halfway at a little canteen which does fresh food and snacks.
Once we arrived we got on to a smaller bus with Maria our guide. She was great, with a very dry sense of humour which sat well with us being from the UK.
The monasteries themselves are lovely, but goes without saying they come with a walk. The tallest one we visited was about 300 steps, the second about 150 and the third, which was a nunnery, only about 20 or so. You get plenty of time to climb and there are railings or walls the whole way up to use if you have limited balance like I do 🙂
Review provided by Viator
Escapecouple
Feb 23, 2025
Fantastic guide and stunning views - Our whole group (including two teens) really enjoyed this trip. Katarina was an excellent tour guide, very personable, and the drivers did a great job. Plenty of stops for bathroom and snack breaks. The monasteries just got better and the trip ended with stunning views. Very informative trip.
Be aware that there are some steep climbs. If you have to limit your walking, recommend the later monasteries. The first one was a steep climb then very small. Also important to read the instructions for the trip and bring cash - some people in our group couldn’t handle that. 🙄
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camilla_w
Feb 20, 2025
Very long day, breathtaking views - Be prepared for a very long day, 19 hours in total. The tour was very well organised with stops at service stations on the way there and back. We also got to stop and take pictures of the battle of 300 site which was an unexpected surprise. The views around the monasteries in the mountains are amazing, we went inside 3 and they are all quite similar. The included lunch was worth doing to get some home cooked greek food. Overall great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Sadler02
Feb 14, 2025
Spectacular! - Absolutely beautiful! Our guide, Kate, was so friendly and knowledgeable. Our driver Cosmos made sure we were safe at all times. Be informed that when you start in Athens, you are NOT with your guide, and on a large bus with multiple groups and no communication. Once you arrive, it is fabulous!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathryn
Feb 13, 2025
Monastery magic - From the very start, the tour was well organised, comfortable and accommodating.
Although a long drive, the breaks were timed perfectly!
The stunning views, narrative of the area history and the photo opportunities were spectacular.
We thoroughly enjoyed the day, experiencing a good humoured host, wonderful drivers and a lunch, fabulous Greek authentic dishes on offer that left even the biggest of eaters satisfied!
Thank you for a fantastic day, would thoroughly recommend this tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richardtk1396qk
Feb 12, 2025
Amazing - Amazing views, our guide Katarina was excellent she really showed a passion for the area and the history it represents. The overall experience was more than I was expecting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathy_k
Feb 10, 2025
An excellent tour! - We opted for the private tour and it was spectacular. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Monasteries and mythology. He was able to answer all of our questions and was delightful.
Review provided by Viator
Raphael_m
Feb 19, 2025
Amazing views. - Let me just be clear that the tour itself was great, the whole time in Meteora was amazing, we got the private tour and the guide was very knowledgable and even adapted the tour to give us some time to get lunch and go to an alternative place that was not on the original program instead of one of the monasteries. Overall, we loved the tour, the views were really breathtaking and we learned a lot! Totally recommend it.
The only reason it was not a 5 star review were some issues on the travel from Athens to Meteora. The meeting point provided was a bit off, the bus did not stop across the street from the station but instead on the same side of the station, and the bus did not have Wi-Fi and USB. Last, while we did not pay for lunch and did not expect one, it would be great if the page made it clear that there was no time for lunch and we should be prepared to make the meals during the 20 minute break in the trip. None of these are deal breakers, and our time there was amazing, just some minor bits that could be improved.
Review provided by Viator
Marcv184
Feb 10, 2025
Great day – bit confusing in the beginning - What a place, such beautiful landscapes. I came mostly for the scenery, not so interested in the history of the place, so didn't care so much about visiting the monasteries, but they were beautiful and the views were amazing. We ended with a nice sunset before going back to Athens.
The drive from Athens is long, but it's pleasant to sit on the bus and just enjoy the landscape along the way. The bus stops at this terrible, overpriced, loud restaurant made for tourists both on the way there at home for 30 min. Even the TV station there were playing was called "PANIK-TV", and that was pretty much the feeling. So just chill outside, bring your own snacks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
