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Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves Day Trip with optional lunch
Badge of ExcellenceAthens, Greece
From $108.31
Price varies by group size
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 14 hours
- Offered in: English
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Overview
When visiting Athens, take a full-day detour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora. Drive through the Grecian countryside in a modern bus and travel from the town of Kalambaka to the ancient clifftop monasteries. View all six sky-high monastic retreats, stopping for visits at three of them, and discover hermit caves. Upgrade to add lunch—or treat yourself to a private tour.
- Full-day tour to Meteora from Athens—with onboard Wi-Fi for the long journey
- Explore three spectacular UNESCO-listed clifftop monasteries
- Photograph hermit caves and soaring monastic retreats
- Upgrade to include a village lunch—or indulge in a private tour
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle with wifi
- Local English speaking tour leader
- Entrance fees (3 euros per person at each monastery)
- State Licensed guide, inside the monasteries
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- St. LarissisAthens 104 37, Greece
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. Here is the location: https://goo.gl/maps/16AcMUsyJNSoFF698
Start time
08:00 AM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
The journey begins at the Larissis Railway Station in the morning, where you’ll board a modern coach bus equipped with air conditioning and onboard Wi-Fi. Relax and take in the diverse scenery of the Grecian countryside on the 4-hour journey to reach Kalambaka, the town closest to Meteora.
Travel through a landscape of green valleys dotted with dramatic grey cliffs to reach Meteora, a World Heritage site built by Greek Orthodox monks who inhabited these incredible hard-to-reach sanctuaries high above ground. Visit three active monasteries, spending about 45 minutes inside each one (entrance fees not included). See the others from the outside on a van tour and discover the hermit caves of Badovas, stopping for frame-worthy photos at each site.
After touring, return to Athens, where you'll arrive in the late evening.
Travel through a landscape of green valleys dotted with dramatic grey cliffs to reach Meteora, a World Heritage site built by Greek Orthodox monks who inhabited these incredible hard-to-reach sanctuaries high above ground. Visit three active monasteries, spending about 45 minutes inside each one (entrance fees not included). See the others from the outside on a van tour and discover the hermit caves of Badovas, stopping for frame-worthy photos at each site.
After touring, return to Athens, where you'll arrive in the late evening.
Kastraki
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Meteora
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Agios Stefanos
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Varlaam Monastery
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Great Meteoron Monastery
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Roussanou Monastery
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kalambaka
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- 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.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.5
759 reviews
Paula_B, May 2024
Amazing scenery and fascinating history, a full day but would highly recommend. Be prepared with good footwear to walk to the first Monastery and ladies you will need to wear skirts.
Response from Host, May 2024
Hello Paula,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the stunning scenery and rich history of Meteora. It's great that you found the day fulfilling and would recommend it to others. Your tips about the footwear and attire are also very helpful for future guests. We hope to welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Warm regards,
George
Christopher_R, Apr 2024
This was a really wonderful trip. Vaggelis gave a really fascinating history right from the geology up to the present day. Each of the monasteries and the hermit's caves have their own really interesting history to tell. There were lots of great photo opportunities and Kostas was very kind to help take a couple of the photographs.
Thank you very much!
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Christo,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your day trip to the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves. Vaggelis is indeed passionate about sharing the rich history and geology of the area, and it’s great to know that his stories enhanced your experience. We're also glad that Kostas could assist with your photographs, helping to capture those special moments. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
George
Ashley_G, Apr 2024
Great trip, worth the bus ride. The monasteries were amazing and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The geography of region is worth it alone. I thought it was very minimal stairs compared to what other reviews have said. The guide was from the local area and very knowledgeable. Great side trip from Athens. The bus stop is across the 6 lane roads from Everest and there were multiple buses so you have to check to see which bus you were on.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello Ashley,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves Day Trip! We're thrilled to hear that you found the journey worthwhile and that the stunning monasteries and unique geography of the region made a lasting impression on you. It's also great to know that the stairs were manageable and that our local guide enhanced your experience with their knowledge. We appreciate your feedback about the bus stop location and will consider how we can make this clearer for future travelers. Looking forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
Best regards
George
Heather_W, Apr 2024
What an unbelievable place. Stunning. The great unknown. Definitely should be on your to do list. It is a big day from Athens but there is plenty of time for a nap on the coach. Well worth it.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello Heather,
Thank you for your wonderful review of the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves Day Trip! We're delighted to hear that Meteora's breathtaking beauty left such a strong impression on you. It's always our goal to showcase these "great unknowns" to our guests, and we're glad you found the journey from Athens well worth it, complete with some time to relax on the coach. We hope to see you on another trip soon, exploring more hidden gems!
Best
George
Susanna_V, Apr 2024
The trip from Athens was long and tiring but the tour overall was definitely worth it. I wish to point out that our tour guide, Katerina, was absolutely exceptional. Her local perspective and personal stories helped much better understand the history and the community.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much, Susanna, for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you found the trip to the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves rewarding despite the long journey from Athens. Katerina will be delighted to know that her efforts and personal touch made a significant impact on your experience. We strive to provide a unique perspective through our local guides, and we're glad it enhanced your understanding of the area's rich history and community. We hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Tom_D, Apr 2024
The guide was very nolagable and answer all my questions. He had a very positive outlook and made the trip fun
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello Tom,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time exploring the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves. Our guide is indeed passionate about sharing his knowledge and ensuring that all guests have a memorable journey. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
Best,
George
Sean_S, Apr 2024
Though a long bus ride from Athens, was well worth it. Our guide Maria was excellent. Very friendly and knowledgeable. The views were beautiful and learning the history of the orignal hermits and the monasteries was amazing and interesting.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you found the journey to the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves worth the long bus ride. It's great to know that Maria made your trip more enjoyable with her friendliness and knowledge. We're glad you enjoyed the stunning views and fascinating history of the area. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another adventure in the future!
Best regards,
George
Kelly_F, Apr 2024
The Meteora area is amazing but the 5 hour bus ride with no commentary is a bit long. Glad we did it but it’s a lon long long day.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We understand that the journey can feel lengthy, and we appreciate your patience. We're excited to announce that with the completion of the new highway yesterday, the duration of the trip has been reduced by an hour. We hope this enhancement will make future journeys to the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves even more enjoyable. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon!
Best regards,
George
Almas_S, Apr 2024
The place is fabulous and very picturesque and the weather was great. Not hot, not cold. Had an issue in the beginning but it was managed to well. The team works great, checks people are in place, communicates clearly and acts responsibly. If you have any needs or questions - always there to help. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello,
Thank you for your positive review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the stunning scenery of Meteora and that the weather was perfect during your visit. We're also glad that any issues were quickly resolved and that our team's clear communication and responsible actions contributed to a great experience. Thank you for recommending us, and we look forward to the opportunity to host you again on another adventure!
Best regards,
George
raleigh_b, Apr 2024
Best trip we have had in Greece so far. Denos was an amazing driver, getting us to all the places fast but yet still giving everyone ample time to take pictures at all the best viewpoints. Katarina was the best tour guide we have had yet. She was knowledgeable and instant friends with everyone. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello,
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that your day trip to the Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves was the best trip you've had in Greece. It's wonderful that Denos and Katarina made such positive impressions with their skills and friendliness. We aim to provide memorable experiences through our knowledgeable guides and attentive service, and we're delighted that this was reflected in your trip.
Thank you for wanting to give us more than 5 stars! We look forward to welcoming you again and providing another exceptional experience.
Best regards,
George
...
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Meteora Monasteries and Hermit Caves Day Trip with optional lunch
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