Athens Meteora Full Day Trip





Description
When visiting Athens, take a full-day detour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora.Upon your arrival at the town of Kalambaka, you will visit the medieval monastery complex, which sits perched high atop sandstone cliffs and is honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It’s a wonderful way to experience one of Greece’s most breathtaking and off-the-beaten-path cultural treasures. Learn about the history of these unique, 14th-century monasteries.Enjoy free time to dine and explore in the town of Kalambaka.Photograph hermit caves and soaring monastic retreats. Explore the spectacular UNESCO-listed clifftop monasteries. The tour is designed for families, couples and history lovers.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick up 08:00 am to Kalambaka in the morning and enjoy a trip that will give you the chance to admire the beauty of the countryside. Arrive around 12:30 pm in Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, and crowded by the Meteora Monasteries
Upon reaching Kalabaka, we'll begin the adventure with a leisurely lunch and a convenient restroom break in the charming village of Kalabaka. Take this opportunity to refuel and prepare for an awe-inspiring exploration of the breathtaking Meteora region. Enjoy a lunch or you have free time to explore the city on your own pace.
This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery. The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century.
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid 14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam. The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades.
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) is the most difficult to reach, but once you get to the very top the panoramic view of the surroundings is simply captivating! This Monastery is very close to the Saint Stephen’s Nunnery and it is perched on a steep and magnificent rock. It had already been organized Monastery since the year 1362 as indicated in a document by Symeon Uressis Palaeologos.
The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later. Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery that we encounter on our way to the Holy Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century.
You will enjoy the panoramic view of the town Kalampaka. After a full day of exploration get transfered back to Athens. The return transfer is 4 hours and 30 minutes to your preffered drop off point.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your personal tour driver will pick you up and return you to your hotel in Athens, meeting you at the lobby. In the case of an AirBnb apartment, he/she will contact you upon arrival so you can meet at the entrance of the building. For Airport and Port pick-up, your driver will meet you at the arrivals area holding a signboard with the guest's name.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please make sure you have cash for the monasteries 3 euro each entrance. There is no ATM machine in the area
- Most travelers can participate
- The driving from Athens to Meteora is approximately 4 hours
Reviews(6)
Amazing! Yanmis is a fantastic Viator guide and driver. He is very personable, knowledgeable and safety conscious. I would highly recommend Yannis as a tour guide and driver! We loved the Meterora experience!
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience with Yanmis. He is passionate about providing memorable tours. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Wonderful experience with Giannis! Such a great day. Well worth the drive time. Beautiful scenery!! Such a special place. Giannis was an awesome driver and guide.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a special day and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Giannis will be thrilled to know that his driving and guiding helped make your experience memorable. We truly appreciate you making the journey and are so glad it was worth the drive. We hope to welcome you again for another amazing adventure in the future! 😊
We really enjoyed our trip with Nikos. He arrived on time and was very friendly and helpful throughout the entire trip. He eagerly answered all our questions about the monastery complex and life in Greece. He managed the time very well and dropped us back at the apartment as requested. We would highly recommend him to everyone.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip with Nikos and that his punctuality, friendliness, and knowledge made your experience memorable. It’s great to know he was able to answer your questions and manage the schedule smoothly while ensuring a comfortable return to your apartment. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you again on another trip in the future!
It was an eventful day trip. Ask for Yiannis. He is an excellent driver and tour guide and he makes friends. He is super friendly and reliable and can be recommended at any time. We had great weather and were able to visit three monasteries
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!We’re delighted to hear that you had such an eventful and enjoyable day trip. A special thank you for your kind words about Yiannis. He truly loves what he does, and making new friends along the way is just part of who he is! We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure in the future.
Long day but worth it! The drive is long (4hrs both ways), but the experience is remarkable. Niko our driver was great and has a lot of patience and knowledge.
Thank you, Kelly, for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the Medival Monasteries and Nikos service. Your kind words mean a lot to our team. We can't wait to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Best regards, Greece Athens Transfers and Tours Team!!
Highly recommended a day trip to Meteora. The cliffs and monasteries were incredible to see. It’s worth the long drive. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and taught us much about Greece and Meteora. A private trip was much better than spending the day getting on and off a bus. Our tour guide gave us longer when we needed it or cut short stops where we were done early. You won’t be disappointed in spending a day of your trip going to Meteora.
Thank you very much for your review! We hope you leaved from our country with the best memories!!!! We look forward to welcoming you again to Athens and offer you our services !!! Best regards Greece Athens Transfers and Tours Team