Meteora Luxury Private Day Trip Monasteries & Hidden Viewpoints





Description
Give us the chance to make this icon live and feel together the fundamentals of our culture. Trust the locals!!! From the early Christian times, the Meteora vertical cliffs were regarded as the perfect place to achieve absolute isolation, to discover peace and harmony and, thus, to support man’s eternal struggle for spiritual elevation. The gigantic rocks of Meteora are perched above the town of Kalambaka, at a maximum height of 400 m (1200 ft). The most interesting summits are decorated with historical monasteries, included in the World Heritage List of Unesco Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Spartans and the invading Persian forces. For three days they held a narrow route between hills and the sea against Xerxes. A traitor named Ephialtes of Trachis showed the path to the invaders. The Legendary Spartans denied to surrender and they fought till the last one. A tragedy, showing the spirit and the mentality of Greeks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We start our tour early in the morning from Athens till Meteora. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel/ apartment or the airport/ port. The travel time is about 4,5 hours.
Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was 12,000 at the 2011 census, of which 8,330 in the town proper. The Meteora monasteries are located near the town.
In this tour we will visit Meteora, a unique location full both in terms of landscape and christian faith. The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name means “lofty”, “elevated”, and is etymologically related to meteor
From the early Christian times, the Meteora vertical cliffs were regarded as the perfect place to achieve absolute isolation, to discover peace and harmony and, thus, to support man’s eternal struggle for spiritual elevation. The gigantic rocks of Meteora are perched above the town of Kalambaka, at a maximum height of 400 m (1200 ft). The most interesting summits are decorated with historical monasteries, included in the World Heritage List of Unesco We arrive at Meteora and visit up to three Monasteries. Breathtaking at first site, the Monasteries are of great cultural and natural importance. Split from earthquakes, weathered from the wind and the water over millions of millions of years, these immense rocks are an authentic masterpiece of mother nature. The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries. The six (of an original 24) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars .
tour of Osios Varlaam Monastery
Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Spartans and the invading Persian forces. For three days they held a narrow route between hills and the sea against Xerxes. A traitor named Ephialtes of Trachis showed the path to the invaders. The Legendary Spartans denied to surrender and they fought till the last one. A tragedy, showing the spirit and the mentality of Greeks.Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. In Greek mythology the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. Thermopylae is the site of a battle between the Greek forces and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides of Ceos in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie." Thermopylae is the only land route large enough to bear any significant traffic between Lokris and Thessaly. To go from north to south along the east .
tour of the Rousanou Monastery at Meteora
As we leave the magnificent Meteora behind us, let us not overlook the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BCE, which has long been the topic of cultural motivation, as it is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all time. The monument of the Great Leonidas, King of Sparta, in Thermopylae, will grace our path on our way back to Athens in the late afternoon. Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans, Lakedemonians, Thebans and Thespians) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie."
Leonidas was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles and Cadmus. Leonidas was son of King Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his half-brother King Cleomenes I to the throne in c. 489 BC. Leonidas had a notable participation in the Second Persian War, where he led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army; he died at the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.
Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with your friends and family or shopping at Kastraki, a picturesque village near Meteora.
We start our way back to Athens late in the afternoon. The drive is about 4,5 hours.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Welcome & Meeting Instructions We are delighted to welcome you to Athens and look forward to offering you a truly exceptional experience. Your personal driver will meet you with a warm smile and a sign displaying your name for easy recognition. Please follow the instructions below based on your arrival point: • Hotel Pickup: Your driver will be waiting for you inside the hotel lobby, near the reception area, ready to assist you with anything you may need before departure. • Airport Arrival: After collecting your luggage, please make your way to the Arrivals Hall. Your driver will be standing by the exit doors, holding a personalized name sign, prepared to escort you comfortably to your vehicle. • Cruise Port (Piraeus) Arrival: Once you disembark, follow the signs to the Cruise Terminal Exit. Your driver will greet you just outside the terminal, holding a clearly marked sign with your name and ready to welcome you aboard. ***Confirmation will be received at time of booking ***Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.Please keep your phone switched on so your driver can reach you if necessary. If you have any difficulties locating them, feel free to contact us immediately — we are always here to assist you. We look forward to providing you with a relaxing, memorable, and luxurious tour experience.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(15)
An amazing spiritual and historical must do. The Monasteries break out of the rocks and are nestled in beautiful bush. You can almost feel your brain slowing and your stress abating as you wonder around. The larger ones can be very busy so please be patience and respectful.
Thank you for sharing your profound experience with us! We're deeply moved to hear how our monasteries' spiritual setting amidst the breathtaking rock formations and natural beauty brought you such peace and tranquility. Your description of feeling your "brain slowing and stress abating" perfectly captures the transformative atmosphere we hope all visitors experience. We truly appreciate your thoughtful reminder about patience and respect in the busier monasteries - this mindfulness helps maintain the sacred atmosphere for all pilgrims and visitors. It's heartwarming to know this journey resonated with you on both a historical and spiritual level. Your words beautifully articulate why these holy sites remain such cherished destinations. We're honored to have been part of your meaningful experience and hope the serenity you found continues to nourish you long after your visit. With warm regards,
What an amazing experience!! The photos capture the beautiful details of the mountains and monasteries but the physical reality take your breath away . Our private tour was worthwhile; comfortable , pick up 7:30 am and drop off late evening at our hotel ,full day Our tour driver Chris was so great, Fun storyteller of Greek mythology , history of Greece the car ride went so quickly .The town of Meteroa was crowded with tourists but we navigated it very well . It was a Saturday and Greek Independence Day ., gorgeous weather . This is a once in a lifetime experience UNESCO heritage site should be one of the seven wonders of the world.!
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again!!!. Greetings from Chris !!!
The Meteora tour is an absolute must! The service is top-notch, thanks to our incredible guide, Chris. He makes sure you have everything you need, including a hotspot and phone charging to capture photos at every stop. I highly recommend this tour agency. Chris is friendly and entertaining, sharing intriguing stories about history and Greek mythology, and he also makes sure to give you extra time for what you want to explore. Thank you, Chris! We all had a fantastic day, especially with my first olive picking adventure!
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again!!!. Greetings From Chris !!!
Thanks Christos for the nice day spent in your company 🙏. You made our day unforgettable!!!! Meteora is a beautiful place but with the right driver is even better. Christos was very flexible, knowledgeable, good tips to the sites and a good company to spend all day with. Thanks Yomadic for this tour!!! Looking forward to the next one 😊
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again!!! Greetings from Christos !!!!
The views were amazing and unforgettable. It's is a place that is unique in the world. The weather did not cooperate-cold, windy and a little rainy. The other thing that limited us were the crowds which was surprising for the time of year but we did not consider local visitors due to orthodox Easter holiday.
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again . Greetings from Costas
Amazing experience, the driver and tour in general was 10/10. I highly recommend getting this tour not just for the beauty of Meteora but also for the convenience and knowledge a private tour brings. Our driver was very accommodating which was very important for us since we travel with a 4 year old. Was truly an amazing experience
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again . Greetings from KOSTAS
Outstanding tour to a magnificent & mystifying place!!! Despite the rain, Mr. Costas took great care of us driving over 8 hours to get us safe and sound from our hotel in Athens to Meteora and back. It was foggy when we arrived but the sky eventually cleared and we were able to climb a couple of the monasteries ( two were closed for maintenance). We got to see some amazing 15th century frescoes and religious artifacts. Totally worth the time spent on the road sightseeing the Greek countryside with Mr. Costas' pointing out significant historical landmarks along the way. Very Highly recommended especially if you have a full day to spare for the trip and a few hours marveling at these epic structures!!
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again . Greetings from Constantinos
During our November 2023 trip to Athens we were very fortunate indeed to take a day trip to Meteora via a hired private car. Our driver Costas picked up my wife and me from our hotel so there was no aggravation and anxiety trying to find a meeting point. We were driven in a very comfortable car - an important consideration because it's a long day and I'm a very tall guy. Costas was a super nice and very personable guy who provided a lot of information about Meteora as well as Greek history and Greek life in general. The monasteries and nunneries of Meteora are incredibly beautiful and almost other worldly due to their location on top of enormous stone mountains that project from the earth. The religious artwork you'll find there is just stunning. It's a supremely worthwhile destination. After visiting two monasteries and one nunnery Costas took us to a close by village where we had the best meal of our entire vacation. All in all a great trip! Note that you will have to do lots of climbing to see everything so wear comfortable shoes and be sure to cover your legs and shoulders in respect to the religious nature of those sites. Many thanks to Costas and his team for a wonderful excursion!
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again Greetings from Costas
We love our driver Vasilis. He is a man of few words but the kindest man we have ever met. He is very patient especially with our kids and is willing to accomodate to all our plans and schedule. Very importantly, he is also a really safe driver. Considering the long 8 hours he had to drive back and forth from Meteora, we are surprised by his lack of weariness. We are also very happy with our tour guide Nancy at Meteora. She was very approachable and enthusiastic. She offered lots of information about meteora and the monasteries. She planned a suitable route for our kids so it will keep them engaged. Her stories were entertaining and uplifting. The kids were kept interested throughout the 4 hour walk without once complaining about the steps to the monasteries (which was something I was worried about before the trip) Our monastery trip would lackluster if not for these wonderful people, Nancy and Vasilis!
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this nice review for us.Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again
Perfect for information and atenction!!! Mr basilius is perfect and very kind and carefully with us!!!
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this nice review for us.Our goal is to offer quality services at the same time to make you feel friendly and enjoy your visit as much as possible. Looking forward to meeting you again