Athens: Meteora Day Trip, start 9AM, Caves, Seaside Stops & Lunch

4.6
(1,054 reviews)
Athens, Greece

14 hours (approximately)
Offered in: German and 7 more

Visit Meteora from Athens for an amazing full-day experience. Τravel by A/C coach with Wi-Fi and USB chargers and enjoy rest stops by the sea along the way.

Unlike many early-start day trips, this Meteora experience begins at 9 AM from Larissa Station in Athens, so you can avoid an extremely early wake-up and morning rush. Start the day at an easier pace, enjoy breakfast at your hotel & avoid the early-morning departure rush

Upon arrival in Meteora, join a live local tour leader and enjoy a panoramic tour of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage landscape. See all 6 Meteora monasteries from the best viewpoints, enter 3 of the most popular monasteries, and stop for memorable photos of the rocks, valleys and centuries-old monastic sites

You will also see the Hermit Caves of Badovas and discover hidden viewpoints and local stories most visitors would not find on their own.

Choose the lunch option to enjoy a traditional Greek meal at a local restaurant with a beautiful view of Meteora.

What's Included

Local , expert in the area , Live Tour Guide
Panoramic views and photo stops of all 6 monasteries for great photos
Smart Audio guide in Dutch, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese
Lunch in a local restaurant (if option selected). Complimentary bottle of water with your lunch
Smart Audio guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese
Free Panoramic Meteora Map from local artist
See the Hermit Caves & many secret places that only locals know
Roundtrip Transfer from Athens by air-conditioned coach-bus with free WiFi & USB chargers
Visit inside the 3 most popular monasteries
Comprehensive 5-hour tour of Meteora & the Holy Monasteries
Pickup and drop-off at Athens' Larissa train station
Guide inside the Holy Monasteries (free multilingual smart guide available)
Tips (optional)
Lunch ( if you do not select this option)
Each Meteora Monastery

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Larissa Station

--- Athens Railway Station (Larissis Station) at : 09:00 am --- There will be a sign “METEORA THRONES – TRAVEL CENTER” on the window and the side of the bus, waiting outside the train station on the road across the street from the train station , Diligianni Str (be there at least 15 min before )

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 14 hours (approximately)
  • Athens (Pass by)

    Depart from Athens at 9:00 AM to Kalabaka with our coach-bus and admire the beautiful Greek landscapes during your trip. Unlike many early-start day trips, this Meteora experience begins at 9 AM from Larissa Station in Athens, so you do not need to wake up extremely early or rush through the morning. Start the day at an easier pace, enjoy breakfast at your hotel & avoid the busy early-morning departure rush, when many buses and tours leave. Then travel comfortably toward one of Greece’s most breathtaking landscapes. During your journey from Athens to Meteora, sit back and enjoy the changing Greek landscape, with beautiful views of the central Greek coastline along the way.

    Admission ticket free
  • 1
    Agios Konstantinos

    Around halfway through the journey, you will enjoy a relaxing seaside stop near Agios Konstantinos , a charming coastal town by the water. Take a short break at a restaurant by the sea , stretch your legs and admire the views across the Gulf towards the island of Evia on a clear day.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Meteora

    Arriving in Kalabaka around 13:30 , our highly educated Tour Leader will be waiting for you. MARIA or CLEMENT , who are the top rated guides in Greece (read reviews) , will give you full attention and care. We will do a shortstop for food for 30 min to relax from the trip. Choose one dish and a Greek salad from our 10 flavors (vegetarian plate also available). We've reserved the best local restaurant , fully air-conditioned. You can choose to include lunch in the package during your booking. Continue with an amazing 4 hours Meteora tour, see all 6 monasteries and visit inside the 3 most popular of them. Plenty of photo opportunity stops and secret places that only locals know will make your tour a lifetime experience. Finally, will be transferred back to Kalabaka to travel back for Athens. You will arrive in Athens around 22:45.

    5 hours Admission ticket not included
  • Kastraki (Pass by)

    See the picturesque village of Kastraki under the rocks of Meteora. Kastraki is a charming village nestled between the dramatic rocks of Meteora, just a short distance from Kalampaka. With its traditional stone houses and quiet atmosphere, it offers an authentic Greek mountain village experience. It's an ideal starting point for hiking trails leading to the monasteries. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Kastraki feels both peaceful and timeless.

    Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas

    Admire St Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) Monastery. Saint Nicholas Anapaphsas Monastery is the smallest in Meteora, uniquely built on a narrow rock with limited space. Founded in the 14th century, it features impressive frescoes by the renowned painter Theophanis Strelitzas. Despite its size, the monastery holds rich spiritual and artistic value. Its compact setting offers a peaceful and intimate experience.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Great Meteoron Monastery

    Visit Great Meteoron , the biggest and oldest monastery of Meteora. The Great Meteoron Monastery founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios. Inside, visitors can explore historic chapels, impressive frescoes, and a small museum. Its hilltop location also offers stunning views of the surrounding rock formations and valleys. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, his monastery later added small cells so that monks could live there in peace and seclusion atop the rock. Also known as The Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration, it takes its name from the second church St. Meteorites built. The successor of Saint Meteorites was a monk named Saint Joasaph who continued to build more cells, as well as a hospital for them, renovating the churches there as well. The Monastery thrived in the 16th century when it received many imperial and royal donations.

    1 hour Admission ticket not included
  • 5
    Holy Monastery of Rousanos - Saint Barbara

    Rousanou Monastery is one of the most picturesque in Meteora, built on a narrow rock pillar in the 16th century. It stands out for its beautiful frescoes and well-preserved architecture. Now home to a community of nuns, it offers a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. The views from its balconies are simply stunning.

    35 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Varlaam Monastery

    Admire the monastery of Varlaam , the second largest in Meteora, known for its rich history and beautiful setting. Built in the 16th century, it features striking frescoes, a remarkable wooden barrel, and a peaceful courtyard. The climb is rewarded with sweeping views and a deep sense of serenity. Varlaam built three churches by laboriously hoisting materials up the face of the cliffs. After his death, however, the monastery was abandoned for two hundred years until two brothers who were monks, Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades, came to the rock in the 16th century and began to rebuild the churches in October of 1517.

    45 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 7
    Agios Stefanos

    Admire St Stephen (Agios Stefanos) Nunnery the most accessible in Meteora, connected by a small bridge instead of stairs. Originally built in the 14th century, it is now home to a vibrant community of nuns. Inside, visitors can admire beautiful frescoes and a serene chapel. Its location offers stunning views over the valley and the town of Kalambaka.

    40 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 8
    Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)

    Holy Trinity Monastery is one of the most iconic in Meteora, dramatically perched on a steep cliff. Dating back to the 15th century, it offers a unique blend of isolation and beauty. The journey up includes a scenic path and stairs carved into the rock. From the top, the panoramic views are truly unforgettable.tery of Holy Trinity

    35 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The Monastery of St. Nicholas of Badova / Nikolaus Kofina was founded c. 1400 in a rock cave at Badovas. Centuries ago, reaching this secluded skete was anything but easy. Monks entered through a cave below the cliff, using a wooden ladder to climb to the higher chambers carved into the rock. Nearby, on the same dramatic cliff face, you can still see the hermit caves of Agios Grigorios, or St. Gregory. The Badovas hermit caves are especially significant because they were home to some of the last hermit monks of Meteora, who lived here more than two centuries ago in complete isolation and devotion. Even today, traces of that extraordinary way of life remain. Old wooden ladders, platforms and scaffolding can still be seen clinging high to the cliffs of Pyxari, offering a powerful glimpse into the physical endurance and spiritual commitment of Meteora’s monks. Together with the small monastery nearby, the Badovas caves form one of Meteora’s most fascinating monastic sites.

    Admission ticket free
  • Kalambaka (Pass by)

    See the city under the rocks and learn the amazing history. Kalambaka is the gateway town to Meteora, nestled at the foot of the towering rock formations. It blends traditional charm with modern comforts, offering cozy tavernas, shops, and local hospitality. After the tour, board the coach for the return journey to Athens. Midway through the drive, enjoy one more refreshment stop by the sea near Agios Konstantinos, where you can relax & choose dinner, if you wish, before returning to the city. Arrival in Athens is expected late in the evening, with drop-off at Larissa Station, where your day began.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Departure place: Athens Train Station (Larissis Station) be there at least 15 min before the departure of the bus at 09:00 am exactly
Supplied by Meteora Thrones -Travel Center
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Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

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