best meteora tour

THE 10 BEST Meteora Tours & Excursions

Meteora tours.

• Private Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Photography Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. The Top Meteora Greece Private Day Tour from Athens

2. Private Meteora Photo Shoot with a Professional Photographer

3. 27 Day Grand Circle Tour of Mainland & Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini

4. All Day Private Meteora Photo Tour

5. 2-Day Private Tour to Delphi and Meteora from Athens

6. 15 Day Private Tour in Ancient Greece, Mykonos and Santorini

7. BEST 4-Day CLASSICAL GREECE: Corinth Epidaurus Delphi Meteora

8. 8 Day Tour in Delphi, Meteora & Tour in Santorini from Athens

9. 2 Days Private Tour at Delphi and Meteora

10. Private Tour of Meteora from Halkidiki

11. 6-Day Private Tour of Olympia, Zagorochoria, Meteora, Delphi

12. 6-Day Apostle Paul Footsteps Private Tour in Greece

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Sunset Tour: Discovering Meteora's Secrets in a Small Group

Meteora Panoramic Morning Small Group Tour with Local Guide

Meteora: Morning Half Day Sightseeing and Monasteries Tour

Half-Day Meteora Cultural Tour from Kalambaka train station

Morning Monastery E-bike Tour

2-days rail trip from Athens to Meteora

4-Hour Tour Morning Highlights of Meteora on E-Bike

Arachthos white water river Rafting at Tzoumerka

Hiking Tour to Meteora from Kalambaka - Local Agency

Kalambaka's Train Station: Meteora Monasteries Tour with Lunch

Meteora Sunset eBike Tour

Rafting in Aliakmonas, close to Meteora

Hike Mt.Olympus highest peak (Mytikas 2918m) in 1 day!

Tzoumerka villages tour (1 day)

Truffle Hunting at Meteora

Breath-taking Meteora Sunset Tour

Private Winter Hiking to Skolio peak at Mt Olympus

Private 2 day Meteora Photo Tour from Athens by train

What travelers are saying.

The 7 Best Meteora Tours From Athens [2024 Reviews]

Sometimes you stumble across memorable images of beautiful buildings in unbelievable locations and wonder if they’re even real. Meteora is such a place.

Due to a series of unique geological processes, the area of Meteora features tall columns of sandstone and conglomerate that loom over lush green valleys.

And during the medieval period, monks built amazing monasteries upon those remote and difficult to reach peaks. Now you have the opportunity to visit these places that once would have taken several days of hiking and a dangerous climb to reach.

I’ve reviewed 7 of the top-rated Meteora tours from Athens. Some are combined with other activities. Some involve some challenging but fun hikes. Some are focused on visiting the most beautiful viewpoints. One of them will be perfect for you.

Be sure to see our reviews of Acropolis Tours , Delphi Day Trips and Athens Boat trips .

Best Tours of Meteora from Athens

Quick answer: the 7 best rated meteora tours from athens.

• Meteora Full-Day Trip From Athens By Train
• Athens: Meteora Independent Train Trip & Monastery Tour
• From Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip By Train
• Two Days Rail Tour To Meteora From Athens
• Meteora: 4-Hour Highlights Tour
• Meteora: Full-Day Private Trip From Athens Or Piraeus
• From Athens: Delphi & Meteora 2-Day Tour With Hotel

Meteora Tours From Athens Reviews

1. meteora full-day trip from athens by train.

• Departure Point : Athens Railway Station
• Departure Time: 7:20 AM
• Duration : 14 hours
• Includes : English speaking guide, train tickets from Athens to Kalambaka Railway Station, air-conditioned transport to Meteora, visit 2 monasteries and the Badovas caves

Archaeological excavation of caves in the Meteora area revealed human occupation dating back 50,000 years and the oldest known wall in the world, dated to c. 21,000 BCE.

Your train from Athens takes a stunning scenic route through the Greek countryside and through breathtaking mountain passes. Once you’ve reached Kalambaka, you’ll transfer to an air-conditioned bus to explore the Meteora area and the Badovas caves.

Through the geological process of erosion, tall pillars of sandstone and conglomerate were carved out of the sedimentary rock. These natural formations made perfect locations for early Christian monks to establish remote hermitages in caves and atop precarious clifftops.

On your tour around the area, you’ll be amazed at the beauty of these once remote monasteries standing high above the lush green valley.

Your tour will take you inside 2 of the monasteries. In bygone days, visitors could only visit the monasteries by climbing up rickety ladders or ropes.

Thankfully, now stone steps have been built up the cliffs to enable an easier and safer approach. Inside the monasteries, you’ll discover how the monks live today and learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, 2. athens: meteora independent train trip & monastery tour.

• Departure Point : Kalambaka Train Station
• Departure Time: 7:00 AM
• Includes : English speaking guide, train tickets from Athens to Kalambaka, transfer to Meteora, bottled water, Wi-Fi, and visits to 3 monasteries

Your train journey from Athens to Kalambaka will provide you with scenic views of the Greek countryside. After collection from Kalambaka Railway Station, you’ll enjoy a bus drive into the Meteora area.

As you pass through the lush green valleys, you’ll be amazed at the high cliffs and pillars of sandstone and conglomerate that tower above you. Atop several of these cliffs and pillars stand ancient monuments built 700 years ago by Orthodox monks.

You’ll have numerous opportunities to take fantastic photographs of yourself and your loved ones atop high cliffs and overlooking stunning monasteries.

The scenery around the area is breathtaking, and your visits to 3 monasteries will introduce you to a unique way of life that has changed little over the past millennium.

3. From Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip By Train

• Duration : 1 day
• Includes : English speaking guide, train tickets from Athens to Kalambaka, tour of Meteora, Wi-Fi, tourist map, and tour inside 2 monasteries

After your scenic train journey from Athens, your local guide will collect you from Kalambaka Railway Station and take you on a tour of the famous monastic sites around the Meteora area.

Mother Nature created stunning rock formations, including sheer cliffs, tall rock pillars, and natural caves. In ancient times, Christian hermits moved into those caves and eventually founded monasteries atop the pinnacles of the rock pillars.

These holy shrines and their beautiful natural setting are together now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During your tour, you’ll be taken inside at least 2 of these amazing monasteries that were founded 700 years ago. At its most active, this region hosted 24 monasteries. Today, only 6 survive.

But your local expert guide will be able to show you around inside 2 or more of these imposing religious structures and tell you all about their fascinating history.

4. Two Days Rail Tour To Meteora From Athens

• Departure Point : Kalampaka Train Station
• Departure Time: 7:15 AM
• Duration : 2 days
• Includes : English speaking guide, train tickets from Athens to Meteora, hotel stay, Wi-Fi, and map

The train from Athens to Kalambaka passes through some of the most stunning mountain scenery you’ll ever see. Upon arrival in Kalambaka, you’ll transfer to your hotel. That evening, you’ll experience a wonderful Meteora Sunset Tour.

This excursion shows you the most beautiful landmarks of the Meteora region and enables you to experience a sunset over this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the second day, you can choose between a morning tour or a hiking tour, if you have the stamina. On a hiking tour, you can better imagine what life was like for the hermits who chose to live in the Meteora area back before there were modern roads and steps built up the slopes.

But on the morning tour, you’ll see more of the area as you’re driven around from site to site. Whichever option you choose, your English-speaking guide will tell you all about the history of the area.

You’ll learn all about the early humans who lived in the Meteora caves 50,000 years ago, the hermits who came to live on the pillars of rock, and the building of the 24 monasteries that once stood in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Meteora: 5-Hour Highlights Tour

• Departure Point : Kalabaka Train Station
• Departure Time: 11:30 AM
• Duration : 4 hours
• Includes : English speaking guide, tour around Meteora, visit the monasteries, Wi-Fi, and tourist map

You’ll be collected from Kalabaka Railway Station by mini-bus and transported into the beautiful Meteora area. As you drive around the lush valleys, you’ll be amazed by the natural pillars of sandstone and conglomerate that loom overhead.

During the medieval period, Christian monks built remote monasteries atop many of these pillars and on surrounding plateaus.

Originally, visitors to these holy shrines would have faced great danger climbing up the near-vertical sides of the pillars. Many of the monasteries could only be reached by rickety ladders or ropes and nets.

Fortunately, when you visit today, you’ll be able to use steps built in modern times to make access to the ancient monasteries safer and more convenient. Your tour will take you around the picturesque landscape of the region and enable you to see all 6 surviving monasteries.

Your guide will also take you inside 2 or 3 of these monasteries so you can experience the spirituality and admire the architecture of these unique structures around this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6. Meteora: Full-Day Private Trip From Athens Or Piraeus

• Departure Point : Hotel pick-up
• Duration : 12 hours
• Includes : English speaking guide and air-conditioned transportation to Meteora

At some point in geological history, the sedimentary rocks in this region were crisscrossed with fault lines. Erosion over the millennia carved away the rocks around the fault lines leaving behind tall pillars of sandstone and conglomerate that now loom over the surrounding valleys.

As you tour the area in an air-conditioned bus, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of these natural towers and lush valleys.

These stunning geographical features have attracted much interest over the years. During the medieval period, Christian hermits came here to escape the temptation and problems of secular life.

They found caves and crevasses to hide away from the world. When the Turks invaded the area, more hermits came for refuge.

Over the years, these gatherings of holy people turned into monasteries. At one point, 24 monasteries were built atop the pillars and plateaus of this region. Today, only 6 remain active, and you have a unique opportunity to visit 2 of these monasteries during your visit to this area.

You’ll surely agree these surviving monasteries are stunning monuments to live outside of the mainstream.

More Information & Toiur Booking

7. from athens: delphi & meteora 2-day tour with hotel.

• Departure Point : Leoforos Vasilis Amalias and Souri Street
• Departure Time: 8:15 AM
• Includes : English speaking guide, air-conditioned transport to Meteora and Delphi, entry fees, hotel accommodation in a picturesque village, and meals

Much like many events in Ancient Greek history and mythology, your tour begins with a visit to Delphi. In ancient times, the Oracle of Delphi was the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and the most important religious figure in Ancient Greece.

Important political figures would visit the Oracle of Delphi to seek advice. It was believed that the god Apollo granted her wisdom and prophecies.

During your visit, you’ll tour the ruins of the sanctuary of Pythia, including the famous Temple of Apollo. Due to the importance of the site during antiquity, the ruins there are especially impressive. Your tour guide will take you around the site and explain its key role in Ancient Greek politics and mythology.

This role still has an impact on society today through classical literature, such as the famous play Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles.

After your overnight stay in the picturesque village of Kalabaka, you’ll travel to Meteora where the unique rock formations leave many visitors breathless. Geological processes have created tall pillars of rock that stand out across the landscape.

Christian hermits sought refuge atop these rock formations during the medieval period, especially during Turkish incursions into the region. Over time, these hermitages grew into isolated monasteries.

You’ll visit some of the surviving 6 monasteries to learn about the life of the nuns and monks who choose to live in this inaccessible location far away from the stresses and temptations of modern life. There is much to admire in the architecture and art found in these religious structures.

During your return to Athens, you’ll stop off at the site of the famous Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans fought to hold off a much larger Persian invasion force. A famous memorial statue to King Leonidas I stands watch over the site.

Athens Travel Guide

Athens is the origin of much that we take for granted in everyday life. It’s the birthplace of democracy, classical architecture, philosophy, and the Olympic Games.More through good luck than planning, many stunning structures survive from Greece’s Golden Age, so visiting Athens becomes a journey to the very roots of Western Civilization.

There’s much more to see and do in Athens than I can squeeze into this brief travel guide, but I hope it will provide a good starting point as you plan your visit.

Airports & Entry

Athens International Airport is the busiest airport in Greece and the 27 th busiest in Europe. It handles around 24 million passengers a year. Since the airport was only opened in 2001 and expanded in 2018, you’ll find the 2 terminals and all the facilities modern. An underground moving sidewalk connects the original main terminal to the new satellite terminal.

What’s unusual about Athens Airport is the presence of an art gallery and 3 museums. If you get bored waiting for your flight, they provide lots for you to see. The Art & Culture Exhibition Area is found on the Arrivals level. They host regular photography and painting exhibitions, book signings, and cultural events.

In the main terminal, the Acropolis Museum features classical Greek exhibits from the Acropolis. On the Departures level, the Eleftherios Venizelos Exhibition displays relics from Greek aviation history in the. In the same area, you’ll find the Exhibition of Archaeological Findings.

Getting back to the modern world, you’ll find mobile charging points around the airport, and free Wi-Fi on the “ATH Free Wi-Fi” network. The free Wi-Fi only lasts 45 minutes, but you can log-in again as often as you like.

If you’re traveling with kids aged 18 months to 7-years-old, you’ll find a children’s play area in the main terminal landside on the 2 nd floor. It’s open from 9 am to 9 pm. There are baby rooms and diaper changing facilities throughout the airport on both landside and airside.

With 20 food outlets, you won’t have any problem finding something to eat. Many are open 24 hours. The airport also has a mini market on the Arrivals level, landside and duty-free shopping on the Departures level. Many of the stores in the airport operate 24 hours.

ATMs are located all around the airport on both Arrivals and Departures levels. There are also multiple currency exchange kiosks operated by ONExchange. You’ll find full banking services at the Alpha Bank on the Arrivals level landside, open from 8 am to 6 pm weekdays and 9 am to 4 pm on weekends and bank holidays.

If you have a medical problem, there’s a pharmacy on the Arrivals level, landside, open from 6 am to midnight. Urgent emergency care is available at the airport first aid station provided by qualified members of the National Center for Emergency Care.

The easiest way to get into Athens from the airport is on the Metro . The airport train station is connected to the city via Metro Line 3. The journey takes 40 minutes and there’s a service every ½ hour. There are also services to other cities and archaeological sites provided by the Athens Suburban Railway .

The city bus company, Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA ), provides even more frequent services into the city. 4 bus services (X93, X95, X96, and X97) operate from the Arrivals level between Exits 4 and 5. The buses run 24/7 and the X95 to Syntagma (Athens City Center) takes around 40 minutes and departs every 15 to 20 minutes.

Alternatively, the major vehicle rental companies (Hertz, National, Europcar, Budget, Avis, Sixt, and Alamo) have desks on the Arrivals level.

And there’s always the taxi stand, found on the Arrivals level, Exit 3. During the day, the fare into the city center is around €48 but increases to €54 after midnight until 5 am.

Planning Tips

Athens is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy your stay. Just to ensure you do, here are 5 tips to help you plan your visit.

Tip #1: Watch your purse and your pockets

Pickpockets and purse-snatchers love Athens. The crowds of oblivious tourists admiring stunning architecture provide great prospects for any unscrupulous thief to get rich quick. Watch out for thieves everywhere, especially in the Metro system, around all the tourist attractions, and Omonia Square.

Tip #2: Book tickets in advance, especially during summer

Athens is a popular destination, so tours frequently sell out. Consider booking in advance so that you are assured of the excursions you want to take. Most reputable tour operators offer full refunds for trips canceled with reasonable notice. Just check the refund policy when you book any tours.

Tip #3: Go during spring or fall

Many of the most important attractions in Athens are outdoor, so you’re exposed to the sun. Because Athens is the second hottest capital city in Europe, the summer heat can become unbearable. If you’re traveling with young kids or elderly relatives, you certainly shouldn’t take them during summer.

Personally, I would prefer not to visit Athens in the summer. Not only is it too hot to appreciate the beauty of the city in the middle of the day, but it’s also when the city and its many attractions are most crowded. If you want warm rather than hot weather, go in spring or fall.

Tip #4: Buy unique souvenirs

Pop over to the Plaka neighborhood for some unique souvenirs. Spoons and ladles carved from olivewood, unique Greek products, as well as the usual range of T-shirts and less cultural souvenirs are found in the many gift shops in its labyrinth of old-world alleyways.

There are also many specialist jewelry shops in the Plaka neighborhood, where you can purchase custom-designed and unique items. Many of these stores are owned by artists, like the popular jewelers, Byzantino .

Tip #5: Cash is king

Greece is not a cashless society. You may be used to sticking all your restaurant and transport bills on a credit card, but this probably won’t work so well in Athens. A surprising number of busy restaurants and large stores don’t accept electronic payment methods, so you must be prepared to carry cash.

Because of the pickpockets mentioned above, consider methods to protect your cash. A fanny pack may look unattractive, but it beats getting your restaurant bill and discovering your wallet isn’t where it should be.

Restaurants & Eating Out

Because Athens is a Mediterranean port city, the local food is typically Mediterranean, with frequent use of fish and olives. In fact, a founding myth about the city claims that when competing to become the patron god of the city, the god Poseidon gave them a saltwater spring and the goddess Athena gave them their first olive tree.

Breakfasts typically consist of pastries from one of the many bakeries and a cup of coffee. Common breakfast pastries include the savory feta or spinach pastry, a flaky phyllo pastry, or the sweet Bougatsa custard pastry. Although it is not a traditional Athenian breakfast food, some cafés also sell Greek yoghurt due to tourist demand.

Athens’ streets are riddled with tavernas and cafés. Lunches are long and leisurely. Like in Spain, dinner is typically eaten late. Restaurants usually get busy at around 10 pm. Food is ordered for the table (the group of people sitting together) rather than the individual. This means that portions are often large because they are designed to be shared rather than eaten by one.

The tavernas offer a variety of hors d’oeuvre called a mezedes, which is a small dish of hot or cold food with dips. Mezedes are often eaten while drinking ouzo, a strong anise liquor. My favorite mezedes is saganaki, which is great for any cheese lover. It’s a hard cheese fried to create a crunchy crust and sprinkled with lemon juice. Tomatokeftedes (tomato balls) are another popular appetizer, sweet, soft, and full of herbs and tomato. Mezedes are typically served with a yoghurt dip.

Alongside mezedes, Athenians eat salad. Horiatiki salata (Greek salad) is tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, spicy shallots, and olives, all splashed with virgin olive oil and topped with feta cheese. Because the salad portion is designed to be shared, one person can make a filling meal out of a single serving of salad and some crusty bread.

Perhaps the most famous main dish in Athens is moussaka. This is an oven-baked dish consisting of mincemeat layered with either potatoes or eggplant and topped with bechamel. It’s not an exclusively Greek dish, but the currently popular version originated in Greece. Moussaka tastes best when seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon.

A common variant of moussaka is pastitsio. This is another oven-baked dish with mincemeat and topped with bechamel, but this time layered with pasta and tomato sauce.

Being next to the sea, fish soup is popular in Athens. Different kinds of fish appear in the soup depending upon the season. It’s usually a rich broth with lots of fish, vegetables, and flavored with lemon.

But my favorite main dish is pastitsiopanakopita. This spinach and cheese pie is baked in a filo pastry and heavily seasoned. Unfortunately for me, it’s a messy dish. The filo pastry is crumbly and goes everywhere!

When it comes to desserts, Athenians get messy. Their sweet dessert pastries are drenched in honey or syrup. But these sticky treats are delicious when freshly baked. The most popular variety is baklava, which is layers of filo dough stuffed with chopped nuts, usually almonds or pistachios. Another common variety is kataifi, which looks like Shredded Wheat but is fine strands of pastry wrapped around a chopped nut center, usually almonds or walnuts.

Nightlife & Entertainment

While Athens may not have the reputation for wild nightlife found in other parts of the Mediterranean, like the Balearic Islands, you can still find vibrant nightclubs and lively bars. The different areas of the city tend to attract different crowds, so let’s run through them.

If you’re into clubbing, Kerranmeikos is the place to go. This is where you’ll find the new super-club opened by Lindsay Lohan, simply called LOHAN . With Hollywood financing and Greek knowhow, this club features internationally renowned DJs using the highest quality sound and light equipment. It’s a club dedicated to dance parties. In the same area, you’ll find a selection of popular bars, such as The Blue Parrot and Bios .

The neighboring Gazi area is the place to go for live Rebetiko venues, which is a kind of Greek urban blues music. So, if you want to try something uniquely Greek, then you could skip the super-club and head straight for a Rebetiko bar and spend the night listening to Greek blues and drinking ouzo.

If you’re looking for lively bars, Exarchia is the area favored by young Athenians. There are many popular bars along Emmanouil Benaki Street. But Exarchia is also an area known for graffiti and anarchy. In 2008/9, riots brought conflict between youths and police on these narrow streets. However, that’s only a footnote in modern history. Sandwiched between the University of Athens and the polytechnic, the area is filled with trendy cafés and bars aimed at Bohemian youths.

But if you prefer more sophisticated cocktail bars and hipster hangouts, the two areas to go are Psyrri and Koukaki. Psyrri is a high-class area with lots of bars and a small but lively nightclub called Cantina Social. The most interesting bar to check out is Six d.o.g.s, which is a unique bar with DJs, live music, club nights, and art exhibitions! And if you’re into wine, Materia Prima Wine Bar in Psyrri has a fantastic reputation.

Getting Around

In central Athens, many of the attractions are close together, so walking is a viable option. However, to really see the city, public transport is the best option. You can use the Metro, buses, or trams. To use public transport , you’ll need an ATH.ENA Card .

The Metro is the easiest and quickest way to travel around Athens. The signs and maps can be confusing since some are only in Greek, but the network is simple. There are only 3 lines, and once you get a feel for the system, it becomes easy.

The main Metro station in the center of Athens is Syntagma. This is in the same area as the Greek parliament building and the main city square. Much like the airport, this station also holds a museum. In this case, the museum displays the archaeological treasures unearthed when the station was built.

The buses in Athens are not as comfortable or as quick as the Metro. Also, the bus times tend to be unpredictable and the routes confusing. Bus stops are often difficult to find, and you might need to ask a local for directions. Some of the buses are “trolleys”, which are the same as regular buses except that they run on electricity.

The trams are modern and environmentally friendly. There are only 3 tram services, and they all connect Syntagma Station with coastal resorts and beaches.

Taxis are always an option, but you’ll find them expensive compared to public transport and not as quick as the Metro.

Accommodations

Athens is an extremely popular destination for anybody interested in classical history, Greek language and culture, or simply sunny beaches. Because so many visitors crowd the city every year, you’ll find a broad range of hotels suitable for every budget and taste.

If you’re interested in history, the best areas to stay are around the city center near the Acropolis, like Makrianni, Monastiraki, Plaka, Syntagma, and Thission. The Plaka area is arguably the most desirable location because it’s nestled between the Acropolis and Syntagma Square (main square and central Metro station). Plaka is the quietest and most peaceful area of Athens.

Because of the problem of pick-pockets in Athens, you’ll want to make sure your hotel room has a safe. Whenever you go out, leave anything you won’t need in your safe. Any important documents, credit cards you won’t need that day, and spare cash should be left safely behind.

There are a few very seedy hotels in Athens that you’ll want to avoid. My advice is to check reviews on more than one hotel-reviewing site before booking. You’ll find some cheap hostels and basic hotels around Omonia Square, but the area is renowned for purse snatchers and seediness, as well as legal brothels.

A friend booked a night at the Athens House Hotel on booking.com because the reviews there looked positive, and she wanted to stay somewhere cheap and basic. When she arrived, the hotel’s hygiene standards were abysmal. When she later looked on TripAdvisor, she found the same hotel had a rating of 2 out of 5 stars and featured some extremely alarming reviews!

But, to be fair, the Athens House Hotel is great for economy backpackers. With last minute rooms at $10 or $20 a night, you can put up with bad service and a bit of grime!

If you’re made of money and want to sample the high life, check out the Hotel Grande Bretagne (GB) . A basic suite in the GB will cost around $300 a night, but you get what you pay for. This luxury hotel overlooks Syntagma Square, and you can even watch the changing of the guards in front of the Greek parliament building from your balcony.

The GB has one pool in the basement and another on the roof. There’s also a fully-equipped spa in the basement. The exclusive Alexander’s Bar inside the GB was voted Best Hotel Bar in the World by Forbes magazine, and the GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar provides the best views of the Acropolis you’ll find in the city.

If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, check out the Hotel Attalos . It’s not quite so central as the GB, but it also has a roof garden café with fantastic views of the Acropolis for around $125 a night.

The Hotel Attalos is a 15-minute walk to the Acropolis and the same to central Syntagma Square. It’s only a short walk to the Monastiraki Metro Station, so it’s convenient for rapid public transport to all the main attractions. It gets fantastic reviews and ratings on both TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

But when I take my family to Athens, I avoid the crowds and pollution in the city center altogether. Not far from the city, there are dozens of clean and modern hotels along the coastline of the Athenian Riviera. With the great tram connections to Syntagma Square Station, they’re only a short ride away from all the main attractions.

Most coastal hotels are walking distance to the beach, and sometimes their buildings even segue into the sand. They typically offer more spacious and better-equipped rooms for a fraction of the price of city center hotels.

For example, consider Maison 66 in Alimos. This modern hotel is 6 miles from Syntagma Square, which means 25 minutes in a car or 45 minutes on a tram. That might sound like a lot of traveling, but Maison 66 offers a beautifully decorated room with a sea view, furnished balcony, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, en-suite bathrooms with shower cabins, and free Wi-FI for only $80 per night.

Maison 66 is rated 9.1/10 on Booking.com and 5/5 on TripAdvisor! If your family wants to split their time between the beach and the cultural attractions, this hotel or others like it in coastal beach resorts offer you spacious, clean and modern accommodation for a fraction of equivalent hotels in the center of Athens.

Athens is the second hottest capital city in Europe. It experiences mild winters and long, dry, and hot summers. July and August are extremely dry, and most rainfall occurs between October and April.

Because the weather is relatively fine all year long, you can visit Athens at any time. However, I’d recommend you visit Athens in spring (late March through early June) or fall (late September through early November) if possible.

Spring and fall are when the weather isn’t too hot but still warm enough to enjoy the sun. Winter can be chilly and wet, and summer is just too hot for me. Most tourists visit during summer, which means the streets, attractions, and public transport are all crowded.

In summer, it grows too hot in the middle of the day for comfortable sightseeing. If you plan to visit the Acropolis, the best time of day is the early morning before the midday heat bakes the ground. Alternatively, visit in the last two hours of the site’s opening times. In August, average temperatures range from 73 0 F to 89 0 F.

It’s still pleasant and sunny in the fall, so this is a great time to wander around the Panathenaic Stadium. However, there’s more rain than during summer, especially in November. In November, average temperatures range from 54 0 F to 66 0 F.

Athenian winters are mild, but December sees the most rain. Despite warm average temperatures, snow isn’t uncommon, and it can get chilly on occasions. January’s average temperatures range from 45 0 F to 57 0 F.

Rainfall rapidly decreases between April and June, and the days become warmer. The average temperatures in April range from 53 0 F to 67 0 F.

Attractions

99.9% of visitors to Athens have the Acropolis at the top of their “must-see” list, but there’s more to Athens than its citadel. It’s the capital of a modern nation and the center of Greek culture. But, I’m not going to swim against the crowd right now. The Acropolis is top of my list, too!

The Acropolis looms over Athens and is the most famous attraction in Greece. Archaeological evidence shows the hill has been settled since as early as 4,000 BCE, and the Acropolis as we know it began to take shape in the 13 th -century BCE when it was fortified with a wall that still forms part of today’s complex monument.

Most of the structures we see on the old citadel date from the 5 th -century BCE. That’s because a helpful group of Persian invaders leveled many of the pre-existing buildings in 480 BCE during the Greco-Persian Wars.

There are many ancient temples atop the hill, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Brauronion. But none is more famous or iconic than the Parthenon . Built in 438 BCE and dedicated to Athena Parthenos, this is the most awesome example of Ancient Greek architecture in existence.

Also inside the Acropolis is the Acropolis Museum . This incongruous, modern structure stands 3-stores-high, right beside the Parthenon. However, it does effectively display the artifacts recovered by archaeologists from excavations atop the hill. The highlight is the Parthenon Marbles exhibition on the top floor. To fully appreciate the Acropolis, take a guided tour .

Don’t miss the Theatre of Dionysus. Situated at the foot of the Acropolis and carved into the southern cliff, this is believed to be the oldest surviving theater in the world. The site has been a theater since the 6 th -century BCE, but the present structure is 4 th- century BCE. If you ever had to read Greek tragedies in school written by Euripides or Sophocles, this is where those famous plays premiered!

The last ancient monument in the city I’ll specifically recommend is the Panathenaic Stadium . Not only is this the only athletic stadium in the world constructed in marble, but it’s also the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games .

The stadium began life in antiquity as a racecourse and was transformed into a stadium in 330 BCE. The current marble structure dates to 144 CE and was designed to seat 50,000 spectators. The first modern Olympic Games were held here in 1896.

But Athens isn’t all about ancient antiquity. The heart of the modern city isn’t atop the Acropolis. It’s Syntagma Square. Not only is this where you’ll find the main Metro station, but it’s the central square and location of the Greek Parliament building.

The Parliament building is guarded by Evzones, who are parliamentary guards. Evzones wear special handmade shoes and uniforms and perform an hourly changing of the guards. There is an especially elaborate changing ceremony at 11 am every Sunday.

Pop over to the Plaka neighborhood to see charming houses decked with flower baskets and colorful cafés with outdoor seating. You’ll definitely need your camera as you explore this picturesque area.

The Plaka neighborhood is a great place to sample traditional Greek food and buy unique souvenirs. And if you’ve always wanted to try a traditional Turkish Bath, you can enjoy a steam bath and a relaxing massage at Al Hammam .

And if you want to see where the Athenians shop, check out the Varvakeios Central Food Market . This is where you can get a feeling for the heartbeat of Athens. This market is a great place to sample authentic Greek fresh foods and drinks. Why not try some strong Greek coffee made just how Athenians like it? But note that this market, like many grocery businesses in Greece, is closed on Sundays.

Getting out of the center, consider ascending Lycabettus Hill . This is the highest point in Athens. Sunset is a great time to visit for spectacular views across the city lit by the dying sun. At the top, you’ll find St. George’s Church and Orizontes Restaurant . The restaurant’s rooftop terrace provides stunning views.

You can spend a month in Athens and not see everything, but some people like to explore the wider context and travel to other parts of Greece. Also, in summer, getting out of the capital city helps you escape the relentless heat.

If you want to visit more of Greece, Athens makes a great base. Various Mediterranean islands, such as Aegina, Moni, Agistri, and Santorini, are popular destinations for longer day trips. Or you can enjoy a simple cruise along the Athenian Riviera and enjoy fantastic views of the Greek coast.

Tour Guides

The Full-Day Trip From Athens By Train is our Editors Choice for the best Meteora tour

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

The Best Meteora Tours to Take From Athens

 Dimitrious Tilis/Getty Images

Taking a tour from Athens to Meteora is an astonishing journey through time. People have been occupying the peaks of this group of massive sandstone needles for at least 50,000 years. A 23,000-year-old stone wall across the mouth of a cave, built by humans during an ice age, is the oldest known man-made construction in the world.

From about the 11th century, Eastern Orthodox hermits occupied caves high up on the face of some of the cliffs. But it was in the 14th century when whole groups of monks and nuns, hoping to protect themselves and their Byzantine treasures from raiding Ottoman Turks, built elaborate and virtually inaccessible monasteries on Meteora's pinnacles. At one time, there were 24 monasteries, only accessible by elaborate arrangements of winches and nets. Today, there are six operating monasteries left, and you can reach them by climbing between 150 and 300 steps that were carved into the vertical rock faces in the 19th century. Meteora is an UNESCO listed World Heritage site

A number of tours make visiting these remarkable places a bit easier. Some include train or coach travel from Athens, but some of the best are organized by locals and require you to book your own transportation from Athens to Kalambaka, the nearest village to Meteora. Don't be surprised if a certain amount of typical Greek disorganization and confusion prevails at key points along the way; getting to Meteora can be something of an adventure in itself, but they always get you there in the end.

And by the way, don't be surprised to find the town spelled Kalabaka, Kalapaka or Kalampaka—or all versions, even in the same paragraph. It's just one of those peculiarities of transliterating the Greek alphabet into the Roman alphabet. To turn "p" into "b", Greeks will sometimes add an "m" in front of it. It causes havoc for English speakers trying to read train schedules or look up things on the internet. 

Whichever you tour you choose, wear good shoes, bring water, and dress modestly for the experience of a lifetime. Here are some of the best tours to Meteora we've found.

Visit Meteora Tours

George Papapostolou/Getty Images

Visit Meteora Tours is a relatively new, award-winning destination management organization of travel specialists in the region. They offer a wide variety of reasonably priced tour experiences, including visits to the monasteries, rock climbing, and hiking expeditions in and around Meteora. You need to organize your own train travel for many of their tours, but they'll advise you on schedules, prices, and how to book your trains (not always easy from outside Greece).

The prices for many of these tours are very reasonable:

• F ull day, private tour for up to four adults, including a customizable itinerary, costs only €180 - per car, not per person.
• Train to Train tours  - A local guide, driving a luxury mini van, collects you at Kalambaka station, takes you on a three-hour tour of all six monasteries - including visits inside two of them - and delivers you back to the station in time for the Athens or Thessaloniki train, all for €35 per person, with no minimum number of travelers. 
• Meteora Hiking Tour  - A four and a half-hour guided hike on hidden local paths through the forests at the base of the rock formations. The tour includes a visit to a restored and hidden monastery now open only to hikers as well as visits to one or two of the areas greatest monasteries on paths once used by the monks in the middle ages. Although this tour is open to children and families, the organizers suggest it requires a reasonable level of both physical fitness and, gulp, mental health. The cost is €35 for between two and 12 hikers.

This tour company also organizes multi-day visits, taking in several of the different local tours on offer—food and wine tours, truffle hunting, cave hiking, mountain biking tours.

If you have deep pockets, and are short on time, they'll even organize a private helicopter tour from Athens.

Chauffer-Driven Tours of Meteora

 Paul Birit/Getty Images

Prestige Greece provide private, luxury limos to celebrities, sports figures, and corporate executives. They can also organize private two-day limo or luxury mini-van jaunts to Delphi and Meteora. The itineraries are much like the itineraries described above—travel to Delphi, then stay overnight in either Delphi or Kalambaka, make a visit to the monasteries, and head back to Athens.

But the similarities end there. Where you stop for lunch, drinks, evening entertainment, and a spot of shopping is up to you. So are your accommodations and the particular vehicle that conveys you there. In addition to your English-speaking chauffeur, a professional guide can be organized to meet you at each location. And, if that is a bit restrictive, the company can put together a completely personalized, private tour to meet all your requirements.

Naturally, this kind of personal attention comes at a price. Everything Prestige-Greece does is bespoke - including the pricing. You can email them with your requirements or phone them on +30 210 3254 151 to talk about it. They'll come back to you with a quote and some well-informed suggestions of their own.

Two or Three-Day Excursions to Delphi and Meteora

Jean-Pierre Lescourret/Getty Images 

If you'd prefer to avoid the hassle and stress of organizing train travel, you can leave the driving to CHAT Tours, one of Greece's leading coach tour operators. They operate two- and three-day tours to Athens and Delphi with stops at other points of interest along the way.

Tours on luxury, air-conditioned coaches depart from the company's base in a central Athens hotel, The two-day tours run from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the second day. The three-day tours leave Athens at 8:45 a.m. on the first day and return at 7 p.m. on the third day.

The two-day tour (Trip 8A), which includes either "tourist class" or "first class" accommodation in Kalambaka, begins with a drive to Delphi and a visit to the archaeological site but not Delphi's wonderful museum. Then it's on to Kalambaka to explore the village and have dinner. The second day includes visits to the rock monasteries of Meteora and the drive back to Athens with a photo stop at Thermopylae, scene of the famous battle between the Spartans and Persians featured in the film 300.  In 2018, this tour, on a half-board basis, starts at €185 per person.

The three-day version of this trip (Trip 8), includes more time in Delphi, including a chance to visit the museum, an overnight stay in the town and a free morning there. Though Delphi is a magnet for tourists, it still has some good souvenir shopping, notably for Greek-made gold jewelry, pottery and reproductions of classic pieces. On the afternoon of day two, the coach travels to Kalambaka for a visit to the town and and overnight stay, and day three, as above, includes Meteora and a possible photo stop at Thermopylae on the way back to Athens. In 2018, this tour is offered on a half-board basis starting at €342 per person.

Both tours are accompanied by entertaining, well-informed, English-speaking, professional guides. These tours can be booked online on the CHAT Tours website or organized the old-fashioned way, through your own travel agent.

Trips by Rail

 Jeremy Villasis/Getty Images

The online tour and experience booker Viator organizes day trips coordinating train travel from Athens with local, Meteora drivers and suppliers. 

This tour, costing £80.44 per person in 2018, includes round-trip rail travel from Larissa Station, Athens's main station. It's a full-day tour, but keep in mind you will be spending about five hours on the train each way, to Kalambaka station and back. It's a very dramatic journey across central Greece, but you probably will want to bring something to read.

The tour includes a scenic drive to see (but not visit) all six monastic retreats, with photo stops and a chance to learn more about their histories from a local guide. You can also choose to climb up to one or two of the monasteries. In all, you spend about 3.5 hours in Meteora.

Local transportation is in a luxury, air-conditioned minivan with free Wi-Fi. Entrance fees to the monasteries (€3 each), meals, drinks and tips are not included.

How to Book:

• Booking is online through the Viator website .
• When you book, they send a confirmation email that includes a pdf document of your tickets that you should print out. 
• There are contact numbers for the actual travel supplier with the confirmation email.
• It's a good idea to check with the travel supplier to make sure you have an actual seat reservation for the train journey, which is different from simply having a ticket to board. Some travelers have complained about having to stand for long parts of the train trip.
• You are essentially on your own until you reach Kalambaka, so make sure to contact the trip organizer to make sure you know how to get from your hotel or the airport to Larissa Station and how you will be met at Kalambaka.

Viator also offer a two-day package that includes many of the same features but gives more time to explore the town of Kalambaka and includes a stay in a 3- or 4-star hotel, breakfast and dinner and a longer, 4-hour tour of the monasteries. The two-day package also includes Kalambaka hotel pick-up and drop-off for the morning monasteries tour. If you have the time, it's worth the overnight stay to have a stress-free tour the next morning. In 2018, the price is about £140.

How to Travel from Venice to Athens by Plane, Ferry, and Cruise

14 Mango Farms and Festivals to Enjoy Mangoes in India

The Best Tours of Athens, Greece

The Best Staycation in Every State

The Top 11 Day Trips From Athens

Kalimpong, West Bengal: The Complete Guide

7 Top Sundarban Tour Operators and Packages

Top 18 Things to Do in Athens, Greece

Don't Make These 8 Common Tourist Mistakes in Greece

Greece’s Corinth Canal: The Complete Guide

48 Hours in Athens: The Perfect Itinerary

Where to Go in 2021: 10 Future Trips You Can Start Planning Now

Traveling Safely in Greece

Mediterranean Cruise Maps

Planning a Honeymoon in Greece: The Complete Guide

The 14 Best Day Trips from Rome

Meteora Tour

Overiew of meteora.

The spellbinding destination, Meteora in Greece is known for the series of large pillars of rock which seem to be suspended in air. Some of these rocks stand entirely on their own while others create beautiful valleys with the hillside. Next to the unique rock formations, this place is famous because of its fascinating history, amazing monasteries and natural landscape. The Meteora tour offers you a chance to explore places with amazing religious sites that have preserved the traditions of the monks of medieval ages, as well as unique spots like hermit caves. Apart from the beautiful landscape, the next best thing which attracts tourists to travel from all over the world are the orthodox Greek monasteries. These monasteries are nestled on the unique rock formations of Meteora from the middle ages.

The Meteora Monasteries tour includes the six active monasteries which are home to several monks and nuns. The incredible view that visitors enjoy as these ancient monasteries appear to be suspended in air while sitting on the narrow pillars of rock is a site not to be missed. Although Meteora is not a very convenient destination to reach, it is a gem in Greece that should be visited at least once in a lifetime.

Book Meteora Tour Online

Booking the Meteora Tour online from us is one of the best ways to plan a fascinating vacation to this unique destination. Not only it allows the user to book their ticket on their preferred date but it also offers them a lot of amazing discounts and deals. Some of the Meteora tour packages also include round trip tickets for transport and combo tickets of nearby attractions. Further, the entire booking process with us is made hasslefree with great customer service.

Besides history, architecture and spirituality, visitors here are greeted by the glory and unique views of the countryside of Greece during their Meteora Monasteries tour. Their journey also includes a stop at the Kalambaka town, which is situated close to the gigantic Meteora rock formations. Visitors will spend hours exploring the stunning monasteries that were built hundreds of years ago and have withstood the most harsh weathers, the tales of time and more. As the tourists reach the summit of these rocks they will get to enjoy the most stunning view of their life, with rare landscapes surrounding the even more unique rock formations.

Meteora Tour Package Options

This Meteora Tour is best enjoyed after the masses of tourists have left the rock formations and the sun is about to set, revealing vibrant and picture worthy views of this place. The tour also lets you explore one of the open monasteries from the inside and view the outer facade of all six monasteries. The tour includes an English speaking local guide who accompanies the group from hotel pick up and gives them insight about local traditions, myths and history. Tourists even get to visit the Byzantine church of virgin Mary as well as the Hermit caves of Badova.

Book Now - Acropolis Of Athens Tickets

The Meteora Half day sightseeing tour includes a visit to 3 of the main active monasteries, giving them insight of the rich cultural, historical and religious traditions of this place. As the tourists take in the view of the natural beauty of the rock formations and their surrounding landscapes, they are left in awe of nature's peculiar creations. Touring the monasteries provides them an insight into the dark ages, and the time of the first monks who established these religious centre’s. The package includes transfer services, accompanied by an expert English speaking local guide.

Also Checkout - Parthenon Athens

Opting this Meteora tour package, lets visitors get to see all the monasteries that are nestled on the rock formation. They also get to explore three of the main monasteries from inside and learn about their history as well as their cultural significance. In addition to this, the tourists also get to see the hermit caves of Badovas, and explore as well learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The package includes transfer services, free maps as well as a local English speaking guide.

The Meteora Monasteries with private sunset tours are great for tourists who wish to modify their itinerary according to their personal preferences and schedule. During the visit they will get to explore one of the active monasteries from inside, visit the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary and even explore the hidden hermit caves of Badovas. Exploring the rare natural site of the rock formations, they will get to learn about the local history, stories and traditions. Get on one of the magical spots to enjoy the most captivating sunset views of the place and click amazing pictures of the scenery.

The full day trip from Athens to Meteora includes transport facilities by train as tourists get the opportunity to explore this rare destination. This amazing tour package option allows visitors to explore Meteora for an entire day and learn about its traditions, history and culture from a local English speaking guide. Tourists are taken to the best viewpoints to enjoy the scenic landscape surrounding the rock formations and explore three of the main monasteries built on them. Visitors also take a trip to the Hermit caves of Badovas and visit a UNESCO world heritage site included in this package.

The full day private tour to Meteora from Athens is an amazing option for the travelers who wish to experience this destination on their own schedule and with a tailored itinerary. Visitors are provided modern luxury cars with English-speaking drivers to transfer them from their stay to the tourist destination. Visitors will get to see the outer facade of all the active monasteries and then even explore three of them from the inside. During the tour visitors will get to learn about their history as well as cultural significance.

This private Meteora Monasteries Tour is an amazing opportunity to visit these iconic historical structures and learn about their cultural significance. Since this is a private day trip it provides more flexibility in the itinerary and can be tailored according to the wishes of the visitor. During this trip tourists also visit the hermit caves of Baroda‘s and get to explore three of the main monasteries from inside. In addition to the pick up services and English speaking guide, tourists also get to stop for lunch at chosen places.

Attractions at Meteora

Meteora is a rare destination that provides spectacular views and an insight into one of nature's best creations. The Meteora Tour offers visitors a chance to explore the fascinating rock formations, visit the historical monasteries and explore the hidden caves and archeological sites in the vicinity. The place was once home to 24 monasteries, built during the Middle Ages by monks to keep them safe from Turk invaders, and today only six of them remain active. This place also provides clear and stunning views of the Pindos mountain range, the Buddhist mountain range in Greece. This rare rock formation also houses many amazing archeological sites that preserve the history of mankind since the ice age.

The Meteora Monasteries tour is more than a religious or spiritual trip as these monasteries provide a deep insight into the history of this destination. A total 24 monasteries were built on this rare rock formation, however today only 6 of these remain active. The visitors enjoy a peaceful, magician, and extraordinarily serene experience while visiting these ancient structures during their trip to Meteora. The monasteries are surrounded by surreal landscapes and add to the already fascinating experience. Exploring the main monasteries allows tourists to learn about the history and significance of these religious centre’s, which were built in the middle ages by monks.

The monasteries of Meteora were flourishing during the 16th century and offered a living space to the monks. However, in the mid 17th century the monasteries started to decline, falling into ruins over the next two centuries. Today these historical structures are observed as the ruined and hidden gems of Meteora. With time, most of these ruins were restored as a part of restoration campaigns, which has enabled them to become tourist sites for exploring their history. They are not active monasteries anymore, but still provide an insight into the cultural and religious history of the past centuries.

Meteora Tour has plenty of stunning and informative archeological sites spread across the beautiful landscapes surrounding the rock formations. The place has thousands of years of history and cultural heritage that is preserved in its old ruins, caves and hidden sites across the rock formations. In addition to this there are also museums in its neighbouring regions like the Meteora Natural History Museum, that preserve the findings from this rock formation, for tourists to explore and learn about. The museum houses a wide collection of flora and fauna, giving an insight of the ecological system of this region over the centuries.

The Pindos Mountain Range is the biggest mountain range in the country of Greece. Parts of this spectacular and majestic range are clearly visible from the Meteora rock formations, and some of the rock formations along with the hillside carve fascinating valleys. Tourists will also be able to catch a glimpse of the Pinios river, the longest river in Greece that flows from this Meteora region. The lush landscapes, steep slopes and deep valleys create a stunning site for visitors to enjoy from the rock formations. Tourists can also explore the range by booking Meteora hiking tours on the majestic mountain trails.

Know Before Your Go to Meteora Tour

• How to Reach:
• By Train: The region of Meteora is not directly connected to any major town by train. However tourists can take slow regional trains from Athens and Thessaloniki to the town of Kalambaka. This is the base town, and from here tourists will have to hike to the rock formations or can take a car.

By Bus: Another amazing and affordable mode of travel for the Meteora tour is via a bus. The small town of Kalambaka at the foot of Meteora rock formations is connected to the capital city by daily bus service. Tourists can also book tour packages that include transfers of groups via the same mode to transport.

By Car: Tourists can also choose to hit their own car or book a package that includes car transfers from their stay to the Meteora rock formations. This is one of the most flexible options as they can create an itinerary according to their own needs and schedule.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit these rare rock formations and its stunning neighbouring region is during the summer season, between June to September. The monasteries and ruins are at their best with the summer warmth being mild and tourists can enjoy hiking around even under the sun.

What to bring and the Meteora dress code: Tourists should carry along hiking equipment if they plan on choosing walking tours/ hiking to the rock formations. Their outfits too need to be in accordance with the dress code of the monasteries. In order to get entry into the monasteries, men are required to wear long pants and half sleeves or full sleeves shirts/ T-shirts. Women should wear long skirts with top wear that covers their shoulders all the time.

Kalambaka town: Kalambaka Town is nestled on the foot of the Meteora region and is the first stop in every Meteora tour. The town is connected to the major cities by train or bus, including the capital, Athens. Tousrists can look for various accommodations as the town has become an active tourist destination over the past 3 decades and most of the locals are employed in tourism services.

Kastraki Village: Kastraki village is a small village at the bottom of the gigantic rock formations of Meteora. This village looks like an eagles nest from afar and has offered a wide range of modern accommodations to the tourists over the years. The authentic atmosphere of village lifestyle and the unique destination of Meteora make this a great place to visit in Greece.

Meteora Restaurant: This taverna style restaurant is popular for its traditional and authentic Greek cuisine. It is a family run place and they serve the most delectable classic dishes such as the saganaki aubergine, veal meatballs, gigantic beans, and orange cake. They even serve slow cooked stews and casseroles for the hungry tourists.

Valia Calda: Valia Calda is one of the best places to enjoy the traditional Greek food with fresh and organic local ingredients. Most of the dishes are served with seasonal flavours that belong to the Thessaly region. Some of the best dishes to try here are roast black pink, beef meatballs and breaded feta with walnuts and honey.

Panellinion: This friendly tavern is a beautiful eatery with a big outdoor dining area to enjoy the warm days in Greece. The restaurant serves delectable Greek classics like stuffed peppers, Horiatiki salad, pastitsio and the best of all Lamb chops with roast potatoes and rice.

FAQs For Meteora Tour

Which are the best monasteries in meteora.

The Monastery of Great Meteoron: This holy monastery is located on a unique cliff formation of a gigantic rock in the stunning landscapes of Meteora and is also known as the monastery which remains ‘suspended in the air’. There is a museum inside the monastery along with a stunning 16th century church.

The Monastery of Varlaam: This historical monastery was first started in the mid 14th century and then again restored in the 16th century. During their Meteora Monasteries tour, visitors will find remains of the old pulley system that was used to pull up the monks and visitors. In addition to this they will also get to explore the monastery’s beautiful chapel, the old water storage system and much more.

The Monastery of Rousanou: The Roussanou monastery is built on a lower elevation compared to the rest of the monasteries in Meteora. The small and cozy monastery today is home to around 15 nuns and offers a very peaceful experience to the visitors on their Meteora monasteries tour. The monastery looks like it has been carved out of the cliff it is built on as it covers the entire area.

Which are the best archaeological sites and museums in Meteora?

The Natural History and Mushroom Museum: The Natural History and Mushroom Museum is one of the best places to visit during the Meteora tour. The museum houses the largest collection of flora and fauna in the region, aging from the ice age till today. It also has a special mushroom museum inside, which is one of its kind in the history of this region.

The Meteora Digital Projection Center: The modern technology and 3D printer in this unique space offers a vibrant experience with Mythology and history shows. Visitors learn about the history of the popular monasteries, history of Meteora and more.

Old Habitation of Kastraki Village: This stunning settlement is part of a wider settlement, and offers visitors a great architectural treat during their Meteora Tour. The settlement preserves the old urban design and creates an atmosphere of authentic culture and architecture established in the region throughout centuries.**

What are the best things to do in Meteora?

• Hiking in Meteora: One of the best things to enjoy in Meteora is hiking through the abandoned monasteries and ruins as well as the lesser known sites. The unique rock formations provide for a very amazing view and also offer a thrilling experience to those who select to hike in this region.
• Tour of the Monasteries: Meteora has plenty of amazing historical structures which are home to the monks and nuns of this region. These historical monist trees are a standing example of the city‘s history and cultural as well as religious heritage. The monasteries are built on the cliffs that are part of the rock formations and therefore are a unique site themselves.
• Enjoy local cuisine: Located on the foothills of this unique rock formation is the small town of Kalambaka which offers visitors a vibrant chance of tasting local dishes and flavours. Tourists will find plenty of restaurants which serve fresh organic ingredients fashioned into some of the most electable local dishes of greek Cuisine.

Do Checkout: Temple of Olympian Zeus

Where is Meteora?

Meteora is a unique rock formation settlement nestled in the heart of Greece which offers tourists a vibrant experience amidst nature’s peculiar creations. It is also home to one of the largest groups of orthodox Greek monasteries, preserving the history and culture of this region.

What is special about Meteora?

Meteora is a rare settlement occurring naturally and with vibrant surroundings. It also has been home to Orthodox Greek monasteries for past centuries, which offer the tourists deep insight into the history, religious heritage and cultural traditions.

How many steps are there in Meteora monasteries?

Every monastery has different numbers of steps, however, the average number of steps ranges between 100 to 300.

Is there any dress code to go to the monasteries?

Yes, the men have to wear full length pants and half or full sleeve T-shirts/shirts and it is not allowed to wear anything sleeveless be it a shirt or T-shirt. To get inside monasteries, the women are supposed to wear long skirts and top wear that covers their shoulders all the time.

You Can Also Checkout: Temple of Zeus Tickets

The content and images used on this site are copyright protected and copyrights vests with the respective owners.

Tours to Meteora

Discover the best tours in Meteora! Meteora is one of the most stunning places to visit in Greece! Being a World Heritage Monument, Meteora receives visitors from all over the world. What makes Meteora such a unique place to visit is the huge rock formations on the top of which stand beautiful monasteries. What’s more, thanks to its peculiar geology, Meteora is the perfect place for nature exploration and hiking.

Booking a tour in Meteora is a must if you want to explore this magical place in depth!

Tour to Meteora from Thessaloniki

You might have seen photos of Meteora sometime in the past, as they constitute one of the most breathtaking natural settings worldwide - so in case you are visiting Thessaloniki, you must definitely jump at the chance to see for yourself this unique landscape!

Meteora tour from Halkidiki

During your stay in Greece don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Meteora Monasteries. Meteora is a geological miracle of extraordinary beauty, with gigantic rocks of a height around 400m, on top of which monasteries are built.

Special Offer: 10.00% discount for early booking (-60 days).

Two days tour to Meteora monasteries, from Athens

This two-day experience toward Delphi and Meteora offers you the chance to see imposing monasteries and spectacular sights first-hand.

Three days tour to Delphi and Meteora, from Athens

This three-day trip will take you to the archaeological site of Delphi, the mesmerizing town of Kalambaka, and the Meteora rock formations.

Four days classical tour with Meteora, from Athens

This fascinating guided trip will give you the chance to visit several of significant sights, including Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, and the awe-inspiring Meteora.

5 Days classical tour, from Athens

This five-day trip includes visits to some of the most significant remnants of Greek ancient history, including Epidaurus, Mycenae, Delphi, and the Archaeological Site of Olympia.

Grand cultural tour, from Athens

The Grand Cultural Tour, starting from Athens, covers a wide spectrum of historically significant sites in the Peloponnese, the Sterea region, Thessaly, and Macedonia in the course of seven days.

Meteora Full Day Private Tour

Take a private guided tour from Corfu to Meteora, a rock formation with old monasteries built on top of them, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience an amazing view at one of the most beautiful landscapes in Greece.

Five days tour to northern Greece, from Athens

This five-day tour to northern Greece includes visits to Delphi, the Meteora rocks, the city of Thessaloniki, the waterfalls of Edessa, the ancient city of Pella, and the Archaeological Park of Dion.

Self-drive classic route

Explore Greece by car on this self-drive classic route. Give your self the change to see the capital of Greece, Athens, and the most important archaeological sites of the country at your own pace!

DISCOVER MORE THINGS TO DO IN METEORA

OUR TRAVEL SERVICES IN METEORA

Do you Need a Free Travel Quote?

Our team of experienced travel specialists can organize your unforgettable vacation in Greece!

Please send us a request and we will rapidly answer you with a free quote!

• Share this page on Facebook
• Share this page on Twitter
• Copy the URL of this page

An Easy Guide to Visiting Meteora Monasteries in Greece (2024)

Wondering how to visit Meteora independently? Here is my easy guide to visiting Meteora monasteries in Greece . 

This practical Meteora travel blog includes information on the best time to go, how to get to and around Meteora, which monasteries are worth seeing, where to stay, places to eat, and other handy tips and interesting facts. 

“The beauty of Meteora is intense”. These were the words of my Greek friend who traveled with me to visit the mysterious monasteries perched atop narrow pillars of rock. The otherworldly 60 million years old rock formations with ages-old buildings perched on top looks like a surreal drawing or a CGI of a fantasy movie. 

Indeed, you have to see Meteora to believe it exists. Yet it is hard to comprehend how on earth the monks back in the medieval ages came up with an idea and actually managed to build sacred homes atop hundreds of meters tall vertical rocks. The nature and human work involved are no less than mind-blowing. 

Read this Meteora guide for everything you need to know to efficiently plan your time in one of the most spectacular places on Earth. 

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep my blog running and growing by creating more awesome free content for you.

Everything you need to know before visiting Meteora monasteries in Greece

Meteora quick links.

• CAR HIRE : The most convenient way to get to and around Meteroa independently is by car. Browse the best rental car rates at Localrent or Discover Cars .
• The Best Meteora day tour : check out this top-rated day tour to Meteora from Athens on GetYourGuide .
• CHEAP FLIGHTS: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Greece from your location.
• WHERE TO STAY: Psammites (budget); Dream Nest Meteora (mid-range); Hotel Meteora Kastraki (high-end); Divani Meteora Hotel (high-end).

Tips and FAQ for visiting Meteora

These Meteora travel tips will give you an overall idea of what to expect during your visit:

• There are 6 functional Greek Orthodox monasteries in Meteora that you can visit during their opening times (provided below in this post). 
• The entrance fee to each of the monasteries is 3 EUR per person. Budget 18 EUR if you want to visit them all. Greek nationals enter for free. 
• Each of the 6 monasteries in Meteora is closed on one day during the weekday in the summer season, and some of them a few days a week during the winter season. All of them are open during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) all year round. 
• Mind the dress code when visiting Meteora monasteries: you must cover your shoulders and knees to enter monasteries. Ladies must wear a long skirt covering the knees (pants are not allowed for ladies and they are strict about it). All of the monasteries (except Varlaam) provide skirts free of charge at the entrances. 
• Meteora’s popularity grew exponentially during the past few years. Thus, expect lots of independent visitors and even more tour buses all year round from sunrise to sunset. Visit during winter months for the least amount of people. 
• Parking is available at each of the monasteries . When it gets full, people park alongside the main road, which is normal.
• Snacks, water, and soft drinks are available to buy at the entrances to the largest monasteries- Great Meteoron, Varlaam, and Saint Stephen. Yet, bring your own bottle of water if you are planning on visiting smaller monasteries or venturing off the beaten path.
• It is possible to visit all monasteries in one day on a weekend. However, it may feel exhausting and rushed. 
• If you can, spend at least one night in Meteora to experience the sunset and the sunrise – the most magical times for photography.
• It is possible to get around Meteora and visit monasteries by walking if you are game (and fit enough to handle at least 16km uphill and downhill). 
• 5 out of 6 monasteries are accessible via a number of steep stone stairs (minimum 140 to over 200, depending on the monastery). This should be taken into consideration if a visitor has mobility restrictions. Only St. Stephen nunnery has a flat path with no staircase making it easily accessible to everyone. 
• Frescoes inside the monasteries are beyond impressive. However, photography is not allowed inside churches (they will spot you through cameras if you try to snap a shot). Yet, there are a few places in a couple of monasteries, where you can take a picture of the beautifully ornated room.

• Located in Thessaly, the central region of mainland Greece, Meteora is reachable both from Athens and Thessaloniki by car, bus, train, or tour.
• Choose Kastraki over Kalambaka for a more peaceful stay. I found staying in Kastraki a better choice as this town is smaller and quieter than the popular and busy Kalambaka. Also, parking and driving around Kastraki were always easy. Meanwhile, access to monasteries by car is equally convenient.
• Guided tours from Athens and Thessaloniki are a great option if you are not willing or cannot travel independently. There are one-day , two-day , and even 3-day tours available from both cities. 

Just to give you a heads up, Meteora is one of the absolute best places to visit in Greece . After seeing Meteora every other location looks well, just ordinary. That being said, it might be worth leaving the best for the last on your Greece itinerary. 

Also Read: 10 Epic Photo Locations in Meteora .

A brief overview of Meteora and its “suspended in the air” monasteries

Translating as “suspended in air”, the uniqueness of Meteora is simply unmatched. It is hard to find a place on Earth that packs it all- unparalleled natural beauty intertwined with cultural and historical significance. No surprise that Meteora is a UNESCO-protected site since 1988.

The distinct rocks which you can see in Meteora today are a result of the tectonic shift process which took place over 60 million years ago. The clustered smooth soaring peaks of Meteora reach up to 550 meters and are all different in shape making the typography one of a kind. 

The cultural and religious aspect comes into play from the 9th century AD when the first monks moved to the area and sought solitude in the caves of Meteora rocks. Historical sources confirm that the first sacred houses atop the steep pillars of rock started to be built by monks in the 11th century.

The technology used back in the Middle Ages required years of scrupulous and hard work to finish each monastery. By the 16th century, there were two dozen Greek Orthodox monasteries. Today only 6 of them remain and are fully functional (2 nunneries and 4 male monasteries). 

Today bridges, staircases, and even funiculars (used by monks for transporting goods) allow easier access to each of the monasteries. Meanwhile back in the day ropes and baskets were the only means available to enter the sacred homes. 

Did you know that:

• In Orthodox Christian belief the body remains the temple of the Holy Spirit. Thus, relics of saints are venerated. In every Greek Orthodox church, you will see earthy remains (bone of feet or hand, or part of a scull) embedded in altar tables. 
• Orthodox Christians were widely persecuted during the Ottoman Empire. This cruel historical fact is reflected in detailed paintings of the frescoes inside the churches. 

Fun facts about Meteora:

• James Bond’s movie “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed in Meteora and The Holy Trinity appeared in some of the scenes making it the most photographed monastery.
• Linking Park’s album “Meteora” was named after Meteora in Greece way before it was discovered by many travelers. 
• Game of Thrones fans may recognize the scenery of the fictional city of Eyrie backdrop of which was inspired again by the same Meteora in Greece. 

How to get to Meteora

Positioned in central Greece, Meteora is not the easiest or quickest place to reach. The most convenient way to travel to Meteora is by car. Yet public transport (buses and trains), as well as tours, are also available:

• Trains offer the fastest connections from Athens and Thessaloniki.
• Tours offer a hassle-free journey but also limited flexibility.
• Buses are the most inconvenient way to travel to Meteora.

The closest airports to Meteora are Athens International Airport and Thessaloniki International Airport. 

Visiting Meteora by car

Once in Greece, the most convenient way to visit Meteora is by (rental) car . It gives you full control over your own schedule and also eases moving around the Meteora area. 

It takes 4 hours 20 minutes to drive to Meteora from Athens and 2.5-3 hours to drive from Thessaloniki to Meteora. 

Also read: Renting a car in Greece: 30+ Key Things to Know before Driving in Greece .

Good to know: there are many tolls on the way from Athens to Meteora and you can pay by card or cash at the toll gate. One way we paid around 20 EUR for the tolls between Athens and Meteora. If you are traveling from Thessaloniki to Meteora, expect to pay some tolls as well.

Are you looking for great deals to hire a car in Greece? I use the websites below to shop for the best car hire rates:

• Browse Greece rental car offers between local providers at  Localrent .
• Compare the best car rental rates in Greece with international car hire companies at  Discovercars .
• I also recommend cross-checking the offers with the biggest car search engine  Rentalcars .

Visiting Meteora by train

The following train connections are available from Athens and Thessaloniki to Kalambaka (one of the two base towns for visiting Meteora).

Train from Athens to Kalambaka (or Kalampaka)

• Once a day direct intercity train from Athens (Larissa station) to Kalambaka, departing at 7:57 AM and arriving at 12:03, trip duration 4:06 hours.
• Four times a day intercity and regional trains are available with change in Palaeofarsalos

Train from Kalambaka to Athens

• Once a day direct intercity train is available from Kalambaka train station, departing at 18:22 and arriving in Athens at 22:26.
• Three times a day intercity and regional trains are available with change in Palaeofarsalos

Athens-Kalambaka one-way ticket price is around 36 EUR, return of 57 EUR.

Train from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka

• There are 6 times a day intercity and slow regional trains with interchange in Palaeofarsalos town departing from Thessaloniki (Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos) to Kalambaka. The journey takes between 3 to 6 hours depending on the time of the day.

Train from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki

• There are 5 times a day intercity and slow regional trains with an interchange in Palaeofarsalos town departing from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki. The journey takes between 3 to 5 hours depending on the time of the day.

Thessaloniki-Kalambaka one-way ticket price is around 27 EUR, return is 34 EUR.

For up-to-date train schedules, ticket prices, and booking tickets to Meteora (Kalambaka) online, visit the national railway website .

Visiting Meteora by Bus (from Athens and Thessaloniki) 

The least convenient, and the most time-consuming option is taking a bus. 

• From Athens “Liossion” bus station you can catch a bus to Trikala town and then another bus to Kalambaka. This trip due to less convenient schedules can take up to 8 hours. 
• From Thessaloniki “Macedonia” bus station catch a bus to Trikala and then another bus to Kalambaka. Allow enough time to change buses.

Visiting Meteora by tour

If you do not have your own means of transport and prefer having a knowledgeable guide, and all the logistics sorted, joining a Meteora tour either from Athens, Thessaloniki or Kalambaka is a good idea. Even with limited time, it is feasible to join a day tour and experience the magic of this truly incredible place.

If I was to choose a tour to Meteora, these would be my top picks (based on the ratings and reviews of other travelers):

• From Athens: Full Day Rail Tour to Meteora – this is an award-winning top-rated day trip from Athens by train. Return train tickets are included in the price. You will be going around Meteora in a minibus with a small group. Check all Meteora from Athens tours here.
• From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus trip to Meteora – if you are based in Thessaloniki, you can join one of the best-rated Meteora day tours with fantastic knowledgeable guides.
• Kalambaka: Majestic Sunset Meteora Tour – if you are already in Kalambaka or Kastraki, you can join a guided sunset tour which includes visiting a couple of monasteries and will bring you to the best lookout points for sunset- the best time to witness Meteora’s beauty.
• From Athens: Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Guided Tour – this tour includes a hotel stay in Kalambaka, and is a great option as you will also visit the other important historical site of Delphi.
• From Athens: 3-Days in Meteora & Delphi with Tours and Hotels – ideal option to experience Meteora at a slower pace, and also visit Delphi on the way back to Athens, accommodation included in the price.

How to get around Meteora

There are multiple ways to get around Meteora: car, scooter, taxi, electric bicycle, tour, and walking (or even hiking). 

When I was planning my trip to Meteora I couldn’t get a grasp of how big or small the area actually is. The logistics of getting between the monasteries was a mystery as the place itself.

It all became very clear, however,  when I got there and drove one loop from Kastraki over the main road ( Epar. Od. Meteoron-Kallitheas ) leading to monasteries and then back down to Kalambaka. Although Meteora is quite expensive, it is small enough to get around either by car, taxi, or even cycling and walking. 

Map of Meteora

Click here to open and save my Meteora map which shows the exact locations of each monastery and other points of interest mentioned in this Meteora guide.

• Getting around Meteora by car. The easiest way is to drive around Meteora on your own or in a rental car. There is only one main road with a couple of side roads winding above Meteora rocks and monasteries. Getting lost is impossible. The distances between monasteries are short thus you can drive between them in minutes. Parking is available at each of the monasteries as well as at several lookout points.
• Getting around Meteora by scooter. You can rent a scooter in Kalambaka and drive around monasteries easily(taken you are comfortable riding windy and hilly roads). Expect to pay around 18-30 EUR per day for a scooter. 
• Getting around Meteora by taxi. If you do not have your own transport, the other quick way to get to the monasteries and between them is to hire a taxi. One trip costs 5-7 EUR depending on where you are going. If you don’t mind and enjoy walking, you can limit your taxi rides to one or two. Ask the driver to get you to the Great Meteora monastery at the far end on the west side and then visit the remaining on foot. Call the taxi to bring you back to town (Kalambaka or Kastraki, depending on where you stay). Alternatively, return by walking downhill. 
• Getting around Meteora by e-bike. Another great transport option available for rent in Kalambaka is an e-bike. Rents are available for a duration of a few hours, half-day, to a full day (around 25 euros for a full day). 
• Getting around Meteora by walking or hiking – the distances between monasteries are relatively small, thus many people choose to walk along the main road or hike the foresty paths between monasteries. Nonetheless, it is around 16 kilometers distance if you do a circular route starting your walk/hike from Kalambaka or Kastraki. Thus, account for a full day if you aim to visit monasteries on walking. 

• Cycling around Meteora . It is also possible to cycle around Meteora but you must be quite fit to tackle all the uphills. Walking is much easier than peddling steep inclines. In fact, apart of one group of mountain bike cyclists venturing the verdant hills above Meteora, we didn’t see many people cycling around. 
• Getting around Meteora with a tour . For those of you who have limited time, require guidance, and/or aren’t keen on walking, there are plenty of tours available to book in Kalambaka (Meteora). For example, this Meteora sunset tour from Kalambaka is top-rated by travelers.

The best time to visit Meteora

• For best weather: the best time to visit Meteora is autumn (mid-September to November) and spring (mid-March to May) when the day temperatures are the most pleasant (15-25 °C/83-59 °F).

However, do not expect to be the only visitor. I traveled to Meteora on the last week of October hoping it to be empty, and it was far from that, especially on the weekend. Tour buses were unavoidable, arriving at the most popular viewing points for sunset and sunrise on the dot and then heading directly to the monasteries (which open quite late at 9 am).

• For the least crowds : the best time to go to Meteora is in winter (December-February). Yet, you can expect snow (it does freeze at night) and quite cold during the day (6-12 °C/42-53 °F)
• Avoid: summer is possibly the worst time to visit Meteora due to the heat and thousands of tourists. In June-August temperatures during the clear day are an average of 27-33 °C/80-91 °F. It can be way more on clear midday under the sun.

How many days in Meteora? 

I would recommend spending a minimum of 1 night in Meteora allowing yourself to experience sunrise and sunset over the Meteora valley. Those are magical times of the day not to be missed.

However, if you are planning on doing some serious photography and want to capture each monastery at its best light, or in general, spend more time properly exploring the area at a slower pace, plan at least 2-3 nights in Meteora .

You could easily spend more as the place is so beautiful and can keep you busy not only with visiting monasteries, but also hiking Meteora, and exploring the surrounding areas if you drive.

Visiting Meteora in one day is also possible but it is tiring and rushed. Even if you are arriving on a tour, try to include at least spending one night in Meteora.

Make sure to also read my post about 10 Epic Photo Locations in Meteora .

Meteora monasteries opening times

Meteora monasteries have longer opening times in summer (April 1 st to October 31 st ) and shorter in winter (November 1 st to March 31 st ). Refer to the monasteries’ opening times and hours both for summer and winter below.

Meteora monasteries opening days and hours in summer (April 1 st to October 31 st ):

• Great Meteoron Monastery: 9 AM – 3 PM, closed on Tuesdays;
• Varlaam Monastery: 9 AM – 4 PM, closed on Fridays;
• Roussanou Monastery: 10 AM- 4 PM, closed on Wednesdays;
• Holy Trinity Monastery: 10 AM -4 PM, closed on Thursdays;
• St. Stephens Nunnery: 9 AM-1:30 PM and 3:30 PM-5:30 PM, closed on Mondays;
• Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery: 9 AM – 5 PM, open every day.

Meteora monasteries opening days and hours in winter (November 1 st to March 31 st ):

• Great Meteoron Monastery: 9:30 AM – 2 PM, closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays;
• Varlaam Monastery: 9 AM – 3 PM, closed on Thursdays and Fridays;
• Roussanou Monastery: 10 AM- 2 PM, closed on Wednesdays
• Holy Trinity Monastery: 10 AM -4 PM, closed on Thursdays
• St. Stephens Nunnery: 9:30 AM-1 PM and 3 PM-5 PM, closed on Mondays
• Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery: 9 AM – 4 PM, and 9:30 AM – 4 PM on Sundays, open every day.

Which Meteora monasteries to visit?

Which of Meteora monasteries you shouldn’t miss and which ones should you skip? 

Great Meteoron and Varlaam are the largest monasteries, while St. Stephano nunnery is the easiest to access as it doesn’t have steep staircases. All three monasteries are very popular and most of the tour buses head to those.

After reading different opinions and then visiting the monasteries myself, below I share a short overview of each of the monasteries to help you get an idea and make your pick if you can’t visit them all.

Legend:  *** my favorite, **  good to visit, * if you have time.

Note that it is based on my personal opinion and you may agree or disagree with me at the end of your trip. Nonetheless, I hope it will still be helpful should you need to choose which monastery to go to and which one just to admire from afar. 

St. Nikolas of Anapafsas (14th century) Monastery Meteora ***

Rising up from a lonely pillar, at a lower elevation than others, St Nicholas Monastery is the smallest of all six. It is the first monastery you will come across when driving (or walking) a circular route from Kastraki. Or it will be the last when coming down the road from Kalampaka side towards Kastraki. 

Good to know:  

• St. Nikolas is the least visited monastery. Tour buses tend to skip it, which means it is quieter and less busy than other monasteries.
• There is a beautiful chapel with some of the best in Meteora 16th-century frescoes depicting Biblical scenes. 
• There are several viewpoints, with an amazing rooftop terrace.
• St. Nikolas has the steepest and longest climb out of all Meteora monasteries. Another reason why people tend to skip it.

St. Nikolas of Anapafsas was the monastery I was going to skip and ended up visiting twice! Yep, I did love it that much. While other people seem to neglect it for not being impressive enough, which I completely disagree with, I felt like Agios Nikolas monastery was the least commercialized and the most secluded. Even my Greek friend felt the same way.

Indeed, the climb to reach the monastery is quite steep with possibly the largest number of steps to tackle. For this reason, many tourists don’t bother climbing, and tour buses carrying big groups skip it. 

To me, the miniature, yet 3-floor monastery felt very homey. The katholikon (the church of the monastery where monks pray) has a special energy, while the rooftop terrace is open to fascinating close-up views of the rocks of Meteora, Kastraki town below, Russsonou, and Varlaam monasteries at a distance.

Roussanou (1529) monastery in Meteora Greece***

Situated within a green forest, beautiful inside out, Roussanou is a nunnery dedicated to Saint Barbara. According to the ancient story, for accepting and promoting Christianity, Agia Varvara (st. Barbara) was beheaded by her pagan father.

Today, 13 nuns inhabit Rousannou which is the second smallest monastery among surviving six. Although to reach Russanou you will have to tackle a few steep steps, it is one of the easiest to access. Nonetheless, many tour buses still skip it because due to its smaller size it cannot accommodate large groups of tourists. This makes Russanou a little less visited and it was my second favorite monastery out of six.

And did I mention that Roussannou is one of the most photographed monasteries as it is extremely photogenic and has a variety of wonderful angles to capture it from?

Make sure to also read my guide to The 10 best locations to photograph Meteora and its hanging monasteries .

Holly Trinity (Agia Triada, 1362) Monastery in Meteora***

Boasting captivating views over Kalambaka and surrounding Meteora rocks and valleys, Holly Trinity is a gorgeous byzantine monastery accessible through a sheer stairway cut into the cliff.

A windy stone path leads to the foot of the imposing lonely rock which made a base for the 14th century Agia Triada. Being featured in a popular James Bond film, today Holy Trinity is the other most photographed monastery in Meteora, especially by aerial photographers. 

Do not shy away from 145 steep steps and make sure to visit Holy Trinity. To me, Holy Trinity is unmissable, especially for the views over the Meteora valley. 

Great Meteoron monastery (14 th century)***

Established in the mid-14th century, the largest and one of the oldest, Great Meteoron Monastery holds a commanding position on the highest cliff. Due to its many red-roofed buildings, the monastery can be mistaken for a small fortified town rather than a holy place.

Visiting the Great Meteoron monastery and its museums will provide you with good insight into the story of the area and the life of the monastic community. Meanwhile one of the most interesting and rather spooky parts inside Great Meteoron is the sacristy where you can see hundreds of skulls of the monks who have lived there over the years. 

Tip: Great Meteoron monastery is one of the most popular hence it gets very busy during the day. Parking can be packed as well. Thus, it is a good idea to plan to visit the Great Meteoron monastery as soon as it opens. 

Varlaam Monastery in Meteora (1350) **

Located on a slightly lower elevation, just a few steps away from the Great Meteoron, Varlaam is the second-largest monastery in Meteora.

Varlaam has several great lookout points, including a beautiful courtyard overlooking Meteora valley with Roussanou in the distance. There is also a small museum that briefly introduces the history of the area and some interesting facts about monastic life in the old days.

Thus, if you cannot visit Great Meteoron, Varlaam is a good alternative to visit. 

To me, Varlaam, although undeniably beautiful, felt too commercialized (the same applies to Great Meteoron and even Saint Stephan).  The souvenir stalls at the entrance are a bit of a vibe killer. Let alone there are masses of people visiting.

Thus, in my humble option, it is enough to see one of the two biggest monasteries and spend some more time exploring the above-mentioned smaller ones. 

Good to know: Varlaam monastery does not provide free skirts for ladies. Thus, make sure to bring your own, or purchase one for 3 euros at the entrance (this is separate from the 3 euros entrance fee). 

Saint Stephen Nunnery (14-19 th century)*

At the southern edge of the Meteora cluster, and just a minute’s drive from Holly Trinity monastery, Saint Stephen’s nunnery was first inhabited by ascetic Jeremiah, in the early twelve century. Evolving through centuries, the whole complex was completed in the 19th century.

Due to the easy access over the small bridge, St. Stephen’s monastery is one of the most frequented and can get uncomfortably busy. For this reason, it was my least favorite, yet is worth visiting for its impressive frescoes.

The best lookout points in Meteora for sunset and sunrise

There are plenty of wonderful viewpoints of the monasteries available when following the main road. That being said, a couple of the spots for Meteora photography for sunrise and sunset watching are:

• Psaropetra lookout/ Sunset Rock (perfect for sunset)
• Main Observation Deck of Meteora (great for sunrise and sunset)

These two spots are amazing but also very popular. If you want to find out more of the best Meteora photo locations (including fewer known ones), make sure to read my post about the 10 best spots for Meteora photography.

Recommended places to eat in Meteora

• Meteora Restaurant in Kalambaka – yep, the name is simple and clear- this is a family-run taverna since 1925. The traditional slow-cooked Greek food was delicious (we ate there twice), service is excellent, and you get to choose between sitting in a garden with the views of the rocks during the day or dining inside the dining room excessively decorated with souvenirs and almost a centuries’ old remembrances.
• Taverna Gardenia in Kastraki – this is a popular and beloved dining spot in Kastraki serving traditional Greek foods.

Recommended coffee shop in Meteora

For the best coffee head to 14oz in Kalambaka. Set on the main road at the entrance to Kalambaka, 14oz had the best coffee I managed to find during my Greece road trip. I love my good coffee and I am very picky with it. I have to admit I struggled with finding great coffee during my fairly short visit, but this coffee shop in Kalambaka did not disappoint. If you love it a little bit chocolaty, try their hot Mochaccino. Don’t miss the homemade granola bar dipped in dark chocolate, yum.

What are the top foods to try in Kalambaka and Meteora?

Moussaka for meat lovers, saganaki for cheese lovers, and stuffed eggplants or stuffed peppers and tomatoes for vegetarians. Also, big white beans are one of the best vegetarian traditional dishes found all over Greece, also available in Meteora’s restaurants.

Where to stay in Meteora

There are two towns you can stay in Meteora:

• Kalambaka -a bigger, more popular town with plenty of restaurants, bars, pastries, and souvenir shops. It would be a more convenient place to stay for those of you who arrive by train or bus as the stations are located in Kalambaka. 
• Kastraki – a smaller, quieter, cozier, town which is easy to park at and also has a few fantastic places to eat, a great choice for those who drive. 

Nonetheless, both towns offer some great accommodation options and are equally convenient for reaching the Meteora complex in a matter of minutes (when driving). Also, Kastraki and Kalambaka are steps away from each other. Thus, if you drive, you can get between the towns quickly. 

Check my top picks of Meteora accommodation below.

Suggested accommodation in Kastraki

Dream Nest Meteora $$. We stayed in this cozy immaculately clean and tastefully furnished one-bedroom apartment. This family accommodation has two apartments located in beautiful surroundings at the foothills of Meteora. The host was kind enough to refund one night’s stay on my non-refundable booking when my flight got delayed for a day.

Hotel Doupiani House $$. Well-furnished rooms with balconies opening to fantastic views over Meteora, as well as a common terrace area to have excellent breakfast and a drink at an on-set bar in the evening. Saint Nikolas Anapafsas Monastery is located steps away.

Hotel Meteora at Kastraki $$$. Set at a higher point of Kastraki this hotel has killer views over Meteora and a large pool to cool off during a hot day. The rooms are clean and simple, but the views are what makes the biggest appeal. Fabulous breakfast is also included.

Suggested accommodation in Kalambaka

Psammites $. This affordable and brand-new minimalistic studio apartment offers a comfortable stay in the quiet surroundings of Kalambaka. It also has a patio, a terrace with a seating area, and a garden.

Monastiri Guesthouse $$. Located 200 meters away from Kalambaka town center and close to the train station, this guesthouse has a variety of expressively decorated rooms with frescoes and wooden floors, a big garden with a pool open to Meteora views. Great breakfast is also included, and room service is available upon request.

Divani Meteora Hotel $$$. This hotel offers a sophisticated 4-star stay experience: spacious rooms decorated by award-winning interior designer feature oak-wood furnishings and wooden floorings, and some rooms have large verandas. The recreational area includes an indoor and huge outdoor pool, sauna, and spa. Breakfast included in the room’s price is very good.

I hope you found this Meteora travel blog useful and that it has helped you to easily plan your visit to Meteora monasteries. If you are planning your trip to Greece, make sure to check out my Greece travel resources as well as browse other posts about Greece on my travel blog (scroll down).

Greece travel essentials & useful links

Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.

• CAR RENT: The most convenient way to get to and around Meteroa independently is by car. Browse the best rental car rates at Localrent or Discover Cars .
• ACCOMMODATION: book your perfect stay using Book i ng.com .
• VISA: apply for a Schengen visa easily at iVisa . Use OneWayFly to reserve dummy flight tickets/hotels if required for your visa application.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: get 5% off your insurance by using my link on Heymondo , a travel insurance provider.
• GUIDED TOURS: Find the best day tours in Greece on GetYourGuide .
• eSIM CARD: Stay connected before you land. Airlo offers eSIM card with data up to 10 GB (30 days) data package for Greece and Europe.
• FLIGHT GOT CANCELLED OR DELAYED? You may receive compensation of up to 600 EUR. Consult and get support from AirHelp or Skycop .
• AIRPORT TRANSFER: Book a private hotel transfer from Athens Airport .

More articles on my Greece travel blog

• Browse all of my Greece travel blog posts HERE .
• 10 Epic Photo Spots in Meteora , Greece.
• Planning on renting a car in Greece? Here are 30+ Key Things to Know Before Driving in Greece .
• Would you like to visit Greece off the beaten path? Check my  Guide to Kastoria: the most beautiful lakeside town in Greece.
• Have your travel to or from Europe been delayed or canceled? Read my guide on How to get compensation for your disrupted journey (my one-week Greece trip was delayed by 22 hours due to flight cancelation).

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

10 Things to Know Before a Meteora Tour for a Magical Trip

Are you dreaming of going on a Meteora tour? This was a highlight of my first trip to Greece, and I highly encourage anyone who can take a trip to Meteora to do so! We have detailed guides to how to visit Meteora from Athens and from Thessaloniki, so if you’ll be leaving from these cities take a look at our guides. This post covers things you need to know before visiting the monasteries so that your tour of Meteora goes smoothly!

How to Book a Guided Tour of Meteora

There are a lot of companies that resell guided tours in Greece, from hostels to hotels to online platforms. We personally use (and therefore recommend) you book through GetYourGuide . We prefer using them for a couple of reasons:

• They let you know who the tour operator will be so you can independently verify the tour company’s reviews on sites like Trip Advisor. 
• In our travel experiences, tours booked through accommodations tend to be overpriced.
• I personally had an awful tour experience in Dresden, Germany, and I was able to use GetYourGuide’s customer service when the tour company wouldn’t help me at all. I got a full tour refund within just a few days.

There are several options for going on a guided Meteora tour. Here are the most common circumstances.

From Kalabaka (Kalambaka)

For travelers who come to Kalambaka on their own and stay in local hotels or guest houses, you can book a guided monastery tour that will take you around the monasteries and explain the history of each. They also will take you to some of the best photography viewpoints in the area.

Even if you want to visit some of them independently, a guided tour is a great way to start your visit. Then you can continue your travels afterward to the ones you missed. 

There are different kinds of tours that you can go on. Here are the main three.

Monastery Tour

Most people who come to Kalabaka to tour Meteora choose to go on a  Half Day Monastery Tour .  This tour includes hotel pick-up, touring three of the monasteries, and seeing all six from the different vantage points across the landscape. Great for anyone who wants to learn about the history of the monasteries and also wants to be driven to them as opposed to walking up on your own from Kalabaka. 

>> Book a Half Day Monastery Tour or Check Tour Reviews <<

Hiking Tour

If you’re excited about exploring some of the amazing hiking that you can do here while also visiting the monasteries, you can go on a  5-Hour Hiking Tour of Meteora .  On this hike, you’ll see all six monasteries (going inside one or two) while learning about the history and see some of the secret places that can only be seen from the hiking trails. 

>> Book a 5-Hour Hiking Tour of Meteora or Check Tour Reviews <<

Sunset Monastery Tour

If you’re an avid photographer and you’ll be staying overnight in Kalabaka, then a  Meteora Sunset Tour   is a great opportunity to see the sunset in one of the most beautiful places in the world. On the tour, you’ll go inside one or two monasteries while seeing all six. The tour includes hotel pick-up, so you won’t have to walk back down the rocks after sunset in the dark.

>> Book a Meteora Sunset Tour or Check Tour Reviews <<

From Athens

Visiting Meteora is an ambitious day trip from Athens , but it can be done. Most people who choose to come on a guided Meteora tour from Athens will go on a   Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train   (this is the way that I chose to visit Meteora).

For more about the logistics of how to do this day trip, read my guide:  How to Go from Athens to Meteora on a Perfect Day Trip

>> Book a Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train or Check Tour Reviews <<

If you’ll be based in Athens and are trying to decide whether to visit Delphi or Meteora (my two favorite Athens day trips ), you’ll be glad to know that you can actually do both! I did them as two separate day trips, but you could book them as a single  Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens .  On this tour, you travel from Athens to Delphi by bus, tour Delphi, and then spend the night in Kalabaka. The second day you tour Meteora and Thermopylae and then return to Athens. 

>> Book a Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens or Check Tour Reviews <<

From Thessaloniki

If you’ll be traveling from Thessaloniki, Allison wrote up her entire experience on how to do a day trip from Thessaloniki to Meteora . She went on this Guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki,   which included hotel pick-up and drop-off. In Meteora, the tour visits two of the monasteries with photography opportunities to see all six.

>> Book a Guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki or Check Tour Reviews <<

Things to Know Before Your Meteora Tour

Here are the things we wish we knew before our Meteora tours.

1. The monasteries have a dress code…and they enforce it

The monasteries are important religious sites to Orthodox believers. The official dress code of the monasteries is: 

No entry for men wearing shorts and for women wearing trousers, shorts, or sleeveless.

Make sure you have dressed appropriately. However, if you’ll also be coming as a day trip from Athens or Thessaloniki then you also need to dress comfortably for the long bus or train rides. I chose a dress with leggings, but it’s up to you what you wear so long as you follow the dress code. 

2. What happens if you show up and you aren’t following the dress code?

Women who aren’t dressed appropriately will be given wraps to put around your legs (or arms if you’re sleeveless). You can see in the picture what they hand out in one of the monasteries.

I have no idea what they do if men show up in shorts, so I wouldn’t test it. 

3. Wear comfortable shoes that can handle slick staircases

You’ll be walking up and down lots of staircases, many of which are slick if the weather is wet at all from rain or snow. You’ll be happy in shoes that have rubber soles or ones with some grip. I wore tevas, and Allison wore her sneakers. 

4. Even if you go on a guided tour, you need to bring some cash

Your tour price does not include the cost to get into the monasteries (three Euros), souvenirs, or a tip for your guide. You’ll want to bring cash with you so that you can get in. Each monastery has a gift shop (and there are also booths outside some of them).

5. Guided tours will go to a few of the monasteries, but it’s nearly impossible to visit all six in one day

First, not every monastery is open every day, so it is literally impossible to go inside all of them unless you stay the night. The opening hours for each monastery changes from season to season, so if you’ll be going on your own you want to check the updated monastery schedules. 

Most tours visit two or three monasteries, but they all show you where all six of them are and give you time to take photographs of them from the outside. 

6. You can tour Meteora year-round & each season has advantages

I went in October when the hills were still green and lush, but there weren’t very many tourists. Allison went to Meteora in winter and got some beautiful photos of the monasteries in the snow. Spring is also a great time to visit because the weather is great but the crowds haven’t flocked to the country yet. In fact, April is one of my favorite months to be in Greece no matter where in the country I am.

We have an overview of when is the best time to visit Greece , but the bottom line is that it’s beautiful year-round. Summer is hot and crowded, but it’s also when the tourism industry is in full-gear and more monasteries are open longer. Autumn and spring are great weather with moderate crowds. Winter might bring you some gorgeous snow to enhance the scenery even more. I mean, you really can’t go wrong. 

7. Pay attention to your guide…and tip them at the end of the tour

Greek tour guides are some of the best in the world, and the reason is that (surprise) Greece has a lot of rules and bureaucracy about who can be a tour guide. This is why tours can be a tad more expensive than in other parts of the world, but you also come away from your tour with so much more information!

In Greece, it is standard to tip between two and five Euros per person per tour for public tours. Private tours usually have larger recommended tip rates (from ten to twenty Euros per person).

8. How to behave in the monasteries

Remember that this is a holy place. Follow any rules that your tour guide tells you. Be respectful, especially since many of the tourists are Orthodox believers, and this is a holy site to them.

Unlike Orthodox churches I’ve been to in Moldova and the Caucasus, women are not required to cover their heads with a scarf before entering. 

9. Things to know about photographing Meteora

Most tours will show you the best photography sites. Some of the monasteries don’t allow photography inside the actual churches, though, so be respectful of the rules of photography in each one. If you forget and accidentally snap a picture, you may be asked to delete it. 

Light during golden hour and sunset is the best, but if you’re on a guided tour you can’t always control when you’ll be there. Just keep this in mind for what tour time you pick (though coming from Athens or Thessaloniki means you don’t have any options on tour times).

10. Ten things to put in your day bag

You don’t want a huge, heavy day bag, but there are some essentials that you need to bring with you:

• Sunscreen 
• Camera (I was happy to have a good zoom lens on mine for pictures of the monasteries that are further away)
• Cell Phone (for normal pics and you know you want some selfies)
• Back-up charging bank to keep your cell phone changed since you’ll be taking tons of photos
• Phone charging cable
• Hand Sanitizer
• Your tour voucher (print a hard copy or download it onto your phone if digital tickets are allowed)

Meteora Tours Mentioned in This Post

Here are all the tours we mentioned in this post in an easy-to-reference list. You can also read about our personal experiences taking Meteor tours in our posts about traveling from Athens to Meteora and from Thessaloniki to Meteora.

From Kalabaka (Kalambaka)

Half Day Monastery Tour

5-Hour Hiking Tour of Meteora

Meteora Sunset Tour

Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train

Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens

Guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki

Where to Stay in Kalambaka

If you plan on staying overnight, you will want to book your accommodations in Kalabaka and Kastraki. For our hotel recommendations, budget means hostel beds for around $40 a night and singles/doubles for around $60, mid-range is from about $50-100 per night, and luxury will cost over $100 per night. However, note that availability, time of year, and how much in advance you book will play a role in how much accommodations cost near Meteora.

Budget:  If you want a budget room in Kalabaka, check out the much-loved  Aeolic Star Hotel . This two-star hotel is located in the middle of town, just steps from the train station. Each room has a private bathroom, and the terraces have great views of the rocks.

>> Book a room at Aeolic Star Hotel or Check Hotel Reviews <<

Mid-Range:  For a comfortable and relaxed stay in Kalabaka at mid-range prices, stay at the Theatro Hotel Odysseon .  Each room is inspired by a different play, so you don’t know what’s in store for you until you’re in your room. The hotel features stunning views, a garden, and a restaurant on-site. Located less than a kilometer from the train and bus stations. 

>> Book a room at Theatro Hotel Odysseon or Check Hotel Reviews <<

Luxury:  If you’re looking for luxury, stay at the four-star  Meteora Hotel at Kastraki .  You can enjoy the amazing views, swim in the hotel pool (which also features great views), and large, bright rooms which are great to relax in after a long day of hiking or exploring the monasteries. 

>> Book a room at Meteora Hotel at Kastraki or Check Hotel Reviews <<

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I’m sure you’re aware that  travel insurance  is essential for traveling in Greece, the Balkans, or anywhere in the world! Allison and I have both been paying customers of  World Nomads  for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption. 

While Greece is perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe. The saying goes “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” is true!

Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.

Greece Travel Resources

Headed to Greece? We have some great travel resources to help you with your trip. First read our guide to  planning a trip to Greece , which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a  Balkan currency guide  which explains how money works in Greece and local tipping customs.

We have a lot of resources for visiting Meteora, including how to visit Meteora from Athens and from Thessaloniki . You can also read why we love visiting Meteora in winter.  

If you are still trying to figure out your itinerary, check out our guides on  where to go in Greece  and when is the  best time to visit. 

If you’ll be spending time in Athens, check out our  Athens Instagram Guide  and our complete  Athens hotel guide.  If you’re looking for more suggestions for day trips, here is our guide to the best  Athens day trips.

We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark our  Greece  and  Balkan  travel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.

Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online , appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times , and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.

Related posts

Submit a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

New on Sofia Adventures:

• How to Spend a Magical One Day in Istanbul: Mini Itinerary
• 30 Insanely Delicious Greek Street Foods You Need to Try
• 13 Things That EXIT Music Festival Visitors Should Know

A Super Efficient Guide to Visiting Meteora, Greece in 2024

The mountaintop monasteries at Meteora, Greece are a marvel of human creativity. Can you believe people saw these enormous sandstone pillars and thought, “I’m going to live up there!”? That’s exactly what happened centuries ago, and today you can visit the monasteries that are still inhabitied by 60 monks and nuns. Originally there were 24 monasteries, where today only six remain.

Read on for my guide to visiting Meteora, including when is the best time to visit, which monasteries are worth seeing, where to stay, places to eat, and many more tips to make your trip super efficient!

Before you go

Here are a few tips that will make your trip to Meteora in 2024 easier:

• Entry to each monastery is 3€ – This means that in total, you will spend 18€ per person to visit all six monasteries.
• Know the (dress) code – Women are required to wear a long skirt and cover their shoulders, whereas men are not allowed to wear shorts. In practice, I saw a few men in shorts but all women were enforced to wear a skirt (which, if you don’t have one, is provided at the entrance to every monastery free of charge).
• It’s not really possible to “beat” the tour busses – Most monasteries open at 9am, and by 9:30am there are already busses at their doorsteps. The easiest way to avoid the crowds is to travel in the off season or to spend your time at monasteries which are more difficult to access (learn about this below).
• This region of Greece is subject to a lot of rain! – In an instant, you can go from sunshine to pouring rain. Be prepared by checking the weather report, bringing an umbrella, and being prepared to keep your things (e.g. camera, bag) dry.
• Stay in Kastraki instead of Kalambaka for easier parking and driving – Driving in Greece can be a little fun and a lot of chaos. If you want an easier time, try booking a hotel or guesthouse in Kastraki. It’s just as close and convenient as Kalambaka with a fraction of the population.
• You can easily reach Meteora from Athens or Thessaloniki via guided tours . You can go for anything from a full-day trip to a four-day excursion. This particular train tour from Athens is a bestseller with over 150 positive reviews.

Sunrise in Meteora, as seen from our balcony at Hotel Meteora Kastraki .

Looking for a full-blown guide for Northern Greece? Check out my Northern Greece Travel Guide and Itinerary for things to do near Meteora. I’ve also written about how to spend three days in Athens if you’ll be arriving in Meteora from the south.

Interesting facts about Meteora

• It was used as a filming location for the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only .
• Meteora also inspired the backdrop for Game of Thrones when Tyrion is being held in the Eyrie.
• The Linkin Park album Meteora got it’s name from…well, Meteora.
• During World War II, the Germans occupied Meteora and burned down some of the precious artifacts. In Grand Meteora you can see images of people throwing a Nazi off a cliff from a monastery.

The more you know 🌈 Onto the itinerary!

Meteora Monasteries

Duration 2.5 days Dates visited June 18-20 Recommended accomodation Hotel Meteora Kastraki – Has an unbeatable view, good air conditioning, nice selection for breakfast, and a swimming pool you didn’t realize you needed. And affordable! Recommended dining We enjoyed Taverna To Paramithi in Kalambaka the most during our stay. They even had live, traditional music played by a pair of old Greek dudes with live instruments! Recommended guidebook This Greece travel guidebook was super helpful planning our entire trip through Northern Greece.

Opening hours

Every monastery is closed on a different day of the week, except Fridays where two monasteries are closed. This means that if you want to visit all of them, you need to visit over a two day period of time.

Suggested itinerary for visiting the monasteries

Legend   ♦♦♦ Must visit   ♦♦ Recommended   ♦ If time permits

Great Meteoron (mid-1300s) ♦♦♦

Great Meteoron is by far the largest and oldest monastery, the first to be founded. Like every monastery on this list, it has a katholicon (the part of the monastery where monks pray) with paintings of martyrs being tortured and of the final judgement. You should know that orthodox christians were widely persecuted during the Ottoman Empire, so many of the art references this fact. Some special features of Great Meteoron:

• Three distinct museums, including a library containing a copy of the Suda , a 10th-centry Byzantine encyclopedia that references many ancient sources that have since been lost.
• Gallery of art made by a contemporary artist who mimics the style of the period in which the monasteries are founded.
• Only squat toilets 👎 Head to Varlaam for modern ones!

Holy Trinity (1475) ♦♦♦

• This is the monastery that was featured in the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only .
• The stairs to reach this monastery number over 130! You will definitely feel the burn after climbing all these stairs 🔥
• Has a great lookout point where you can climb and take some photos of monasteries in the distance.

Varlaam (1641) ♦♦♦

Varlaam is the second biggest monastery in Meteora, and considered one of the nicest. What I liked about this place is that you thought you were finished exploring it, and then you discover a new corner where something is still waiting for you! Here’s what you should know about Varlaam:

• Has a great, compact museum about the history of Meteora. It’s a great way to frame your trip by starting there and learning a bit about the history of the area and how the first monks came to dwell in the cliffs.
• First class toilets 👌 As I mentioned, we were surprised to find that Great Meteoron Monastery only had squat toilets and subsequently regretted not taking advantage of the fancy onces at Varlaam.

Roussanou (mid-1500s) ♦♦

Monastery of Rosanau is dedicated to St. Barbara, a women who dedicated her life to Christianity and was subsequently beheaded by her father. Today she’s the patron saint of coalminers, and this nunnery in her name has 13 nuns in residence. According to this blog post about the meteora monasteries , Roussanou is both the most beautiful and least visited of all the monasteries.

TIP : You can access this nunnery from both above and below. Above you get a great view over the valley, and it’s probably shorter to walk, however there is less parking available.

St. Stephen’s nunnery ♦♦

• This nunnery is one of the busiest we went to! Perhaps owing to how easy it is to access, St. Stephen’s was packed with people and perhaps one of the least comfortable to visit.
• Very impressive chanedlier and frescos. Lots of similar motifs appear between the different monasteries, including the final judgement and brutal torture of saints from the time of Christ to the Turkish occupation.

St. Nikolaos Anapfsas ♦

Of all the monasteries, I have to say that St. Nikolaos of Anapafsas is the most underwhelming. It’s quite small and for some reason, the stairs to get there were some of the most exhausting! That said, it’s not very crowded, as I’m guessing most tour busses tend to skip it.

Read my article about my travel photography camera kit , which I use to take all the photos you see on the blog!

Best lookout points in Meteora

Almost anywhere you look, there’s an awesome view to be had over the valley. That said, a few places stand out as the best spots to take photos – two main lookout points:

• Psaropetra lookout
• Lookout near Varlaam

Both of these lookpoints are marked in the map at the beginning of the article. We also found a great lookout point on our way to the lookout point, which isn’t a lookout point but you can pull over and block the road briefly while you take a photo 😉 That point isn’t on any map but is featured in the image above!

The photo below was taken at the Psaropetra lookout point.

When to go to Meteora, Greece

As I shared above, during the high season it’s practically impossible to beat the busses – they are out in force first thing in the morning. However, even with the tour busses, most monasteries didn’t feel cramped and I only really needed to wait in line for one.

For that reason, I do think that June was a good choice for when to visit Meteora. It’s hot but not sweltering, and the busses are there but they actually had a rather small impact on us.

There are also a lot of gorgeous photos of Meteora in Autumn , so I would certainly love to come back and see the valley in fall foliage.

Where to stay near Meteora

We booked Hotel Meteora Kastraki , which is located on its own road a bit outside of Kastraki. This made parking really straightforward, while driving into Meteora took something like ten minutes topcs. The room are rather basic, but the balcony is huge and you can book a room with a view of Meteora (which makes it really easy to get sunrise photos!). The price was also quite affordable at around 80€ per night when we booked.

Guided tours of Meteora, Greece

Even though we drove ourselves in Meteora, I could definitely see how it would be engaging to have a tour guide explain the history to you as you weave around these majestic rock formations. Sometimes you don’t realize how cool something is until you know the history. Adding a trip to Meteora is a feasible option is you’re planning to visit Athens or will be traveling in Northern Greece .

If you prefer to do a guided tour, perhaps because you won’t have a car in Greece or you just want that personal touch, here are three of the top-rated tours in Meteora.

From Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip by Train – This is the top-rated and most-reviewed one-day trip from Athens. You get to take the train to and from Athens (included in the price), and then do a full-day tour of Meteora by mini-bus.

From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora – If you’re traveling within Europe, you can get veeeeery cheap flights to Thessaloniki, making it a great place to start trips around Northern Greece.

Majestic Sunset on Meteora Rocks Tour from Kalampaka – Sunset in Meteora is something you MUST not miss out on. This certified tour goes to 1-2 monasteries interiors and then stops at the best lookout point in Meteroa for sunset.

If you’re considering Meteora as an Athens day trips , I would encourage you to see if it’s possible to stay overnight at least one night. Or, at least, ensure that you’ll be in Meteora for sunset .

Have you ever been to Greece? Where would you like to visit most?

I’ve got an upcoming guide to some off-beat parts of Greece and a northern Greece itinerary, so stay tuned!

Pin this post for later!

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

You might also like...

7 Most Exciting Day Trips From Athens in 2024

3 Days in Athens: Itinerary for First-time Visitors in 2022

Northern Greece: Travel Guide and 7-day Itinerary

Outdoor Yak

Meteora, Greece: Complete Travel Guide | One of the BEST Things to Do in Greece

Posted: April 23, 2024 | Last updated: April 23, 2024

Today’s Meteora, Greece travel guide will share everything you need to know about this incredible area, from what it is to how to plan your visit, what to wear when you visit, and more. I also hope I convince you to visit this magical place for yourself!

More for You

Donald Trump Trial Suddenly Erupts in Shouting

19 Things People Treat As Safe That Actually Are Pretty Dangerous

28 celebrities you probably did not know are nonbinary

I’m a Bank Teller: 3 Times You Should Never Ask For $100 Bills at the Bank

How Much Beer You'd Have To Drink To Equal A Single Shot Of Liquor

10 most ‘overpriced’ tourist attractions in the world – and three are in the US

Jon Lovitz blasts anti-Israel agitators taking over Columbia University: 'It's horrible'

Crash On Set of New Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer Film, "Several" Crew Members Injured | THR News Video

'10-foot-tall people' discovered by archaeologists in Nevada cave

Six easy ways to lose an inch from your waist – in a week

19 Things That Will Happen When You Stop Drinking Alcohol

The best college on the East Coast is not Harvard, according to data. See the top 50.

Tesla announces mass layoffs across three US states

Want the Max $4,873 Social Security Benefit? Here's the Salary You Need.

Kevin Porter Jr. Is Currently Playing In Greece For $10K Just One Year After Losing Majority Of $82.5 Million Contract

'We were sold this unachievable dream': Georgia woman explains the 'broken' system that has young Americans fearing for their futures. Is this narrative right?

Kamala Harris was annoyed after NY Times publisher confronted her over Biden not doing interviews: Report

Scientists have discovered the maximum age a human can live to

The most expensive state to live in isn't California or New York, based on data. Here are the top 10.

6 Money Moves To Make When Your 401(k) Hits $1 Million

• Visit Meteora – Home
• Top Rated Meteora Tours
• Meteora Outdoor Activities
• Meteora Half-day Tours
• Train Tours to Meteora
• Meteora Private Tours
• Transfer Services
• The Monastery of Great Meteoron
• The Monastery of Varlaam
• The Monastery of Roussanou
• The Monastery of Agios Stefanos
• The Monastery of Holy Trinity
• The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
• Kalabaka Town
• Kastraki Village
• Old Habitation of Kastraki Village
• The Hidden Monastery of Ypapanti
• The old Chapel of Doupiani
• St. George Madilas
• The Hermit Caves of Badovas
• The Rock of Holy Spirit
• The Rock of Great Saint
• Gavros Village
• The Prehistoric Cave of Theopetra
• The Byzantine Church of Kalabaka
• Meteora Natural History Museum and Mushroom Museum
• Hellenic Culture Museum
• Meteora History and Culture Digital Projection Centre
• Library of Kalampaka
• Aspropotamos Region
• Elati and Pertouli
• Lake Plastira
• Athens to Meteora
• Thessaloniki to Meteora
• Getting to Meteora by Train
• Getting to Meteora by Bus
• Getting to Meteora by Car

Meteora Hiking Tour

Explore the Untouched Beauty of Meteora Hiking Tour

Embark on a journey through the stunning landscapes of Meteora. Among the top family-friendly activities at Meteora. Beginning at the foothills of Doupiani Rock and the remnants of Pantokrator Monastery. Led by our expert guides, uncover hidden gems like Ypapanti Monastery and the ruins of St. Dimitrious, each steeped in centuries of captivating history and lore. Immerse yourself in the tales of the land as you traverse ancient footpaths once tread by monks, culminating in a visit to the iconic monastic enclaves of Great Meteoron or Varlaam. This is more than a hike; it’s a timeless exploration of Meteora’s rich UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The tour does not overlap with our Meteora Sunset Tour .

Price p.p from

Adult: 35€ Student: 30€ Children: 25€ Small Groups: 30€

Share this tour with your friends

Tour highlights.

• Walk through the forest of Meteora, away from the crowds
• Discover places accessible only on foot
• Visit the monastery of Great Meteoron, or Varlaam on the days Great Meteoron is closed
• Great photo opportunities
• Discover the hidden monastery Ypappanti
• Top family-friendly activities at Meteora.
• Starting Time: 8:30am
• Duration: 5 hours
• Max People per group: 12
• Availability: Daily Departures
• Dresscode applied - Click to learn more
• Distance: 7km
• Elevation Gain: 200m

Departure: from Kalampaka or Kastraki

Why to book the Hiking Tour with us

• Small size groups
• Daily departures depart any day you want, 365 days a year.
• You will go to secret local spots that the vast majority of other travelers will never experience.
• You will learn about the culture and history of the place on a deeper level from a local’s perspective.
• Among the top family-friendly activities at Meteora.

ATTRACTIONS

Just a few of the beautiful sights you’ll see during your tour

Meteora Monasteries

Ypapanti Monastery

What is included.

• Professional English speaking Mountain guide
• French and Italian-speaking guides upon availability
• Bottle of water 0.5L
• Pick-up and Drop-off service transportation by VIP Mercedes mini bus
• Taxes and service fees

Not inclusions

• Entrance fee (cash) on the monastery
• Gratuities (optional)
• Guide inside the monasteries
• Food and drinks not specified

Book with confidence

• Get 100% refund if you cancel your reservation up to 24 hours prior to the start time of the tour
• Rearrange your dates once with no change fee
• COVID-19 safety measures apply

Important information

Not suitable for.

• People with heart problems
• Visually impaired people
• Children under 7 years
• People with low level of fitness
• People with mobility impairments

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothes

Not allowed

• Sleeveless shirts (for entering the monastery)
• Sandals or flip-flops

Let our delighted customers do the talking – we prefer to let their reviews speak for themselves.

TOUR DETAILS

Embark on an unforgettable journey as you commence your hike from the picturesque foothills of Doupiani Rock, nestled beneath the ancient remnants of the Pantokrator Monastery. Traverse through awe-inspiring rock formations that lead you to the northern expanse of Meteora. Along this path, you’ll encounter the concealed splendor of Ypapanti Monastery and the historic ruins of St. Dimitrious.

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of tales and legends woven into each landmark along the trail, where centuries of history come alive through captivating narratives narrated by our knowledgeable local mountain guides.

Following this captivating exploration, indulge in a visit to the iconic monastic enclaves of Great Meteoron or Varlaam . Conclude your adventure by descending along the ancient footpaths once trodden by monks for generations, a fitting conclusion to this extraordinary hike through time.

With comfortable transportation from your hotel and knowledgeable guides, our Meteora Hiking Tour is the perfect way to enjoy this unique geological phenomenon and learn about the history of this incredible site. Don’t miss out on this amazing guided hiking tour – which is among the top family-friendly activities at Meteora. Book your spot today and experience the wonders of Meteora for yourself!

GET INSPIRED

Combine this tour.

And create the ultimate Meteora experience!

Hermit Caves Sunset Hiking Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 108 reviews

Meteora Half-day Sightseeing Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 213 reviews

Meteora Sunset Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 510 reviews

Alternative options are available, book the same tour, but privately.

Meteora Private Hiking Tour

Cancellation policy.

• 100% refund if you cancel your reservation up to 24 hours prior to the start time of the tour
• Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Tour

I am staying at an airbnb. where can i get picked up from.

We pick up clients from AirBNBs on our tours. If you are staying in one then please also include your phone number on your booking details in order for us to be able to reach you.

I am staying at Trikala. Do you offer pick up from there?

Trikala is a city about 21km away from Kalampaka. Because of that, we do not offer pick up from there. You can catch the local bus to Kalampaka, which runs regularly and come by our offices here to start the tour.

Which monasteries do we visit inside on our tours?

First of all, keep in mind that, since every monastery closes on some days of the week, we do not visit the same monasteries every day. The monasteries we usually visit though are the following: Meteora Half-day Tour: Great Meteoron, Varlamm and Rousssanou Sunset Sunset Tour: St. Stephen Meteora Hiking Tour: Great Meteoron.

What if it rains?

All our bus tours run regardless of weather. If we are forced to cancel an activity because of extreme weather conditions, you have the option to change date or switch activity or cancel and receive a refund.

What time is the pick-up time for the tours?

The pick-up time for all our tours is the same as the meeting time, indicated on your vouchers and our website. Please note that there may be a slight difference of 5-10 minutes between that time and the actual pick up time, depending on the number of pickups we have scheduled. Please be ready 10 minutes prior to your trip in order to facilitate that.

How late can I make a booking?

You can make a booking with us literally at the last minute! Just keep in mind that there may be no seats left on the tour if you do that! We recommend booking at least one week in advance, in order to have the best chances of finding availability.

Which tours can I join on the same day?

We have split our tours tom morning and afternoon ones. Furthermore, all our tours visit different places at Meteora. This way, you can combine any morning tour with any afternoon tour you wish! All all-time-classic combination is the Meteora Hiking Tour in the morning and the Meteora Sunset Tour in the afternoon.

3500+ Excellent reviews on TripAdvisor See the reviews

OTHER SUGGESTED TOURS

Hiking and Scramble Tour of Great Saint 5 of 5 bubbles 58 reviews

Further reading.

Conquering The Great Saint Via Ferrata In Meteora

10 Good Reasons to join the Hiking tour of Meteora

Join Meteora Adventures and Outdoor activities

Privacy Overview

Comfort plus hotels.

Hotel Doupiani House

Hotel Archontiko Mesochori

Hotel Kastraki

Hotel Dellas Boutique

Hotel Meteoritis

Hotel Kaikis

Alsos House

• USE DISCOUNT CODE "EarlyBird24" FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON SELECTED TOURS!