Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Athens
Visit Meteora from Athens for an amazing full-day experience. Τravel by A/C coach with Wi-Fi and USB chargers and enjoy rest stops by the sea along the way. Unlike many early-start day trips, this Meteora experience begins at 9 AM from Larissa Station in Athens, so you can avoid an extremely early wake-up and morning rush. Start the day at an easier pace, enjoy breakfast at your hotel & avoid the early-morning departure rush Upon arrival in Meteora, join a live local tour leader and enjoy a panoramic tour of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage landscape. See all 6 Meteora monasteries from the best viewpoints, enter 3 of the most popular monasteries, and stop for memorable photos of the rocks, valleys and centuries-old monastic sites You will also see the Hermit Caves of Badovas and discover hidden viewpoints and local stories most visitors would not find on their own. Choose the lunch option to enjoy a traditional Greek meal at a local restaurant with a beautiful view of Meteora.
Depart from Athens at 9:00 AM to Kalabaka with our coach-bus and admire the beautiful Greek landscapes during your trip. Unlike many early-start day trips, this Meteora experience begins at 9 AM from Larissa Station in Athens, so you do not need to wake up extremely early or rush through the morning. Start the day at an easier pace, enjoy breakfast at your hotel & avoid the busy early-morning departure rush, when many buses and tours leave. Then travel comfortably toward one of Greece’s most breathtaking landscapes. During your journey from Athens to Meteora, sit back and enjoy the changing Greek landscape, with beautiful views of the central Greek coastline along the way.
Around halfway through the journey, you will enjoy a relaxing seaside stop near Agios Konstantinos , a charming coastal town by the water. Take a short break at a restaurant by the sea , stretch your legs and admire the views across the Gulf towards the island of Evia on a clear day.
Arriving in Kalabaka around 13:30 , our highly educated Tour Leader will be waiting for you. MARIA or CLEMENT , who are the top rated guides in Greece (read reviews) , will give you full attention and care. We will do a shortstop for food for 30 min to relax from the trip. Choose one dish and a Greek salad from our 10 flavors (vegetarian plate also available). We've reserved the best local restaurant , fully air-conditioned. You can choose to include lunch in the package during your booking. Continue with an amazing 4 hours Meteora tour, see all 6 monasteries and visit inside the 3 most popular of them. Plenty of photo opportunity stops and secret places that only locals know will make your tour a lifetime experience. Finally, will be transferred back to Kalabaka to travel back for Athens. You will arrive in Athens around 22:45.
See the picturesque village of Kastraki under the rocks of Meteora. Kastraki is a charming village nestled between the dramatic rocks of Meteora, just a short distance from Kalampaka. With its traditional stone houses and quiet atmosphere, it offers an authentic Greek mountain village experience. It's an ideal starting point for hiking trails leading to the monasteries. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Kastraki feels both peaceful and timeless.
Admire St Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) Monastery. Saint Nicholas Anapaphsas Monastery is the smallest in Meteora, uniquely built on a narrow rock with limited space. Founded in the 14th century, it features impressive frescoes by the renowned painter Theophanis Strelitzas. Despite its size, the monastery holds rich spiritual and artistic value. Its compact setting offers a peaceful and intimate experience.
Visit Great Meteoron , the biggest and oldest monastery of Meteora. The Great Meteoron Monastery founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios. Inside, visitors can explore historic chapels, impressive frescoes, and a small museum. Its hilltop location also offers stunning views of the surrounding rock formations and valleys. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, his monastery later added small cells so that monks could live there in peace and seclusion atop the rock. Also known as The Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration, it takes its name from the second church St. Meteorites built. The successor of Saint Meteorites was a monk named Saint Joasaph who continued to build more cells, as well as a hospital for them, renovating the churches there as well. The Monastery thrived in the 16th century when it received many imperial and royal donations.
Rousanou Monastery is one of the most picturesque in Meteora, built on a narrow rock pillar in the 16th century. It stands out for its beautiful frescoes and well-preserved architecture. Now home to a community of nuns, it offers a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. The views from its balconies are simply stunning.
Admire the monastery of Varlaam , the second largest in Meteora, known for its rich history and beautiful setting. Built in the 16th century, it features striking frescoes, a remarkable wooden barrel, and a peaceful courtyard. The climb is rewarded with sweeping views and a deep sense of serenity. Varlaam built three churches by laboriously hoisting materials up the face of the cliffs. After his death, however, the monastery was abandoned for two hundred years until two brothers who were monks, Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades, came to the rock in the 16th century and began to rebuild the churches in October of 1517.
Admire St Stephen (Agios Stefanos) Nunnery the most accessible in Meteora, connected by a small bridge instead of stairs. Originally built in the 14th century, it is now home to a vibrant community of nuns. Inside, visitors can admire beautiful frescoes and a serene chapel. Its location offers stunning views over the valley and the town of Kalambaka.
Holy Trinity Monastery is one of the most iconic in Meteora, dramatically perched on a steep cliff. Dating back to the 15th century, it offers a unique blend of isolation and beauty. The journey up includes a scenic path and stairs carved into the rock. From the top, the panoramic views are truly unforgettable.tery of Holy Trinity
The Monastery of St. Nicholas of Badova / Nikolaus Kofina was founded c. 1400 in a rock cave at Badovas. Centuries ago, reaching this secluded skete was anything but easy. Monks entered through a cave below the cliff, using a wooden ladder to climb to the higher chambers carved into the rock. Nearby, on the same dramatic cliff face, you can still see the hermit caves of Agios Grigorios, or St. Gregory. The Badovas hermit caves are especially significant because they were home to some of the last hermit monks of Meteora, who lived here more than two centuries ago in complete isolation and devotion. Even today, traces of that extraordinary way of life remain. Old wooden ladders, platforms and scaffolding can still be seen clinging high to the cliffs of Pyxari, offering a powerful glimpse into the physical endurance and spiritual commitment of Meteora’s monks. Together with the small monastery nearby, the Badovas caves form one of Meteora’s most fascinating monastic sites.
See the city under the rocks and learn the amazing history. Kalambaka is the gateway town to Meteora, nestled at the foot of the towering rock formations. It blends traditional charm with modern comforts, offering cozy tavernas, shops, and local hospitality. After the tour, board the coach for the return journey to Athens. Midway through the drive, enjoy one more refreshment stop by the sea near Agios Konstantinos, where you can relax & choose dinner, if you wish, before returning to the city. Arrival in Athens is expected late in the evening, with drop-off at Larissa Station, where your day began.
Athens: Meteora Day Trip at 9 AM, Caves, Seaside Stops & Lunch lasts about 14 hours. The itinerary has 12 stops.
Prices start at $97 per person for this Athens experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is --- Athens Railway Station (Larissis Station) at : 09:00 am --- There will be a sign “METEORA THRONES – TRAVEL CENTER” on the window and the side of the bus, waiting outside the train station on the road across the street from the train station , Diligianni Str (be there at least 15 min before ). Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in DE, RU, KO, EN, EN, ZH-CN, IT, PL, JV, FR, NL, ES, ES.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 35 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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.
The bus ride was long, but so worth it. Our bus driver and tour guide were very caring and knowledgeable. We were able to go into 2 monasteries and see the outside of another. Two stops each way for breaks and food. It was a long , great day!
Well organized. Nice tour bus, Amazing tour guide. Just quite a bit far from Athens but I would still do it again
It was a wonderful experience and the guide was great. I really had a great day, it was worth the long bus ride. The only negative element was definitely the dinner, which was incredibly underwhelming, but giving the strict time constraints, I do understand the decision here.
Very unique and kinda spiritual experience. Pilgrims in olden days endured long and uncomfortable journeys to visit holy sites. This is almost the same concept, except for the uncomfortable part. The monasteries of Meteora are a must see. Just be prepared for a 13 hour bus trip! Recommendations: 1) Travel to this site when the weather is cooler! Do not go in the heat of summer as the experience may be diminished due to the heat. 2) Do the 2 day (overnight) option if you’re planning on visiting both Delphi and Meteora. The 2.5 hrs to Delphi + overnight and then to Meteora the next day will be less strenuous. It will of course, require a 4.5 hour return to Athens if that is your base. Recommendation to the tour operator: Please have a clear sign held by someone across Larissa station that says: METEORA CHECK-IN, or something like that. With multiple buses on both sides of the street, first time tourists can get confused as to which bus or side to go to. We only knew about a driver with a sign in sheet from another tourist. All in all, a MUST SEE!
Tight time schedule, with short time to eat lunch, very school time cafeteria feel . But, food tasty, and good quality. Comfort breaks, welcome stretch of legs. Please advise others, return time in Athens. So that a taxi can be booked, eliminating a scramble to find a taxi at 10.30pm after a long, hot tiring day
Meteora itself is absolutely spectacular and definitely worth visiting, but unfortunately the organisation of this tour could have been much better. The day started rather chaotically. There were three buses and each driver had a separate passenger list, so it took some time for everyone to figure out which bus they were supposed to be on. Once everyone finally found their bus, we left only about five minutes late, so fortunately this did not cause a major delay. After approximately two hours of driving, we stopped at a roadside restaurant, where we could use the toilets and buy drinks or snacks at our own expense. After another 1.5–2 hours, we arrived at the restaurant selected for lunch. Unfortunately, the lunch was very disappointing. The food was simply not good, and the restaurant itself has rather poor Google reviews, with several reviewers mentioning that tour buses routinely stop there. I would strongly suggest that the tour operator reconsider the choice of restaurant. The biggest disappointment, however, was that we visited only two monasteries instead of the three advertised in the tour description. The original departure time had been 8:00 am, but the organiser changed it to 9:00 am. One of the major monasteries closed at 3:00 pm, so with the later departure there was effectively no chance for us to visit it. We did stop at several viewpoints and had opportunities to take photographs of the monasteries and the spectacular landscape, but this does not compensate for an advertised monastery visit being omitted. The return journey was chaotic again. I had travelled to Meteora in one of the smaller buses, but for the journey back the passengers from our minibus were split between two larger coaches. This also highlighted a considerable difference in comfort. The smaller bus had good air conditioning and a charging point at every seat. The larger coach I travelled back in was very stuffy, the air conditioning seemed insufficient, and there were no charging facilities. Considering how long this day trip is and how much people use their phones for photographs, having no possibility to charge a phone on the return journey is quite inconvenient. Overall, Meteora is extraordinary and I am very glad I saw it, but the tour itself did not fully deliver what was advertised. Better organisation at departure and on the return journey, a better lunch venue, and—most importantly—an itinerary that actually allows visitors to enter the advertised three monasteries would significantly improve the experience.
A long day but well worth it. The views and the monasteries were amazing. Two stops both journeys and toilets at all monasteries we visited.
The Meteora monasteries are truly breathtaking. We felt lucky that we had our guide, Maria. She was knowledgeable, upbeat, and very likeable. She made our trip one to remember!
It was amazing. The views was spectacular!
The guide María was excellent; however, since we returned so late, it is advisable for safety reasons to return tourists to their hotels or a central point. The station area is desolate
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens: Meteora Day Trip at 9 AM, Caves, Seaside Stops & Lunch | 14 hours | 4.6 (1,090) | $97 | |
 Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens | 3h 30min | 5.0 (5,539) | $85 | View |
 Athens cruise: Agistri, Moni/Metopi, Aegina with lunch & drinks | 10 hours | 4.9 (2,805) | $156 | View |
 Best of Athens Half Day Private Tour | 4–6 hours | 4.9 (5,934) | $47 | View |
 Acropolis monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour with Optional Acropolis Museum | 4 hours | 4.9 (3,208) | $40 | View |
 All Day Cruise -3 Islands to Agistri,Moni, Aegina with lunch and drinks included | 10 hours | 4.9 (6,152) | $159 | View |
 Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour | 3–4 hours | 4.8 (2,394) | $40 | View |