Meteora Tour: Monasteries, Lunch & Optional Athens Transfer
At a glance
Meteora Tour: Monasteries, Lunch & Optional Athens Transfer is a 5h guided experience in Meteora, Greece, operated by Visit Meteora. Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 123 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $34.26 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Local English speaking tour leader, WiFi on board, Bottled water.
Highlights
- Rated 4.8/5 by 123 travellers
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
- 5 stops in one well-planned itinerary
Quick facts
- Duration
- 5h
- Group
- Small group, up to 35 travellers
- Languages
- German, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, Japanese, English
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
If you only have a short time to visit Meteora, don't miss this 5-hour afternoon tour of the Meteora Monasteries. Take in the panoramic views and learn about the history and myths of the area from local insiders.
On this tour, you will:
Visit the interior of 3 monasteries
Explore the hidden hermit caves
Enjoy many photo stops to capture all the monasteries and breathtaking vistas
Make a lunch stop at the charming Kastraki village
Our knowledgeable local guide will conduct the tour in English, and we also offer a smart audio guide in French, Spanish, and German.
The tour starts and finishes at the free parking area of the train station in Kalambaka town, a very convenient location.
Book your experience today for an unforgettable visit to Meteora! Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the wonders of Meteora with local experts.
What's included
What's included
- Local English speaking tour leader
- WiFi on board
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Visit inside 3 monasteries and the hidden hermit caves
Not included
- Train tickets
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Great Meteoron Monastery
- Varlaam Monastery
- Agios Stefanos
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 45m
Serene, spiritual, magical, mystical, extraordinary, breathtaking, immense, inspiring, impressive. These are only some of the words people very often use in an effort to describe the Meteora phenomenon. Visit Meteora, even if your interests are not deeply religious. It is the only way to enrich your feelings of spirituality that this area already exudes, no matter how long or brief your sojourn in our beautiful land.
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Stop 2 · 1h
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora. Hosios Athanasios was born around 1302 in the medieval town of New Patras, today’s Hypati and his lay name was Andronikos. -
Stop 3 · 45m
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid 14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam.
The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades. The main church was decorated in 1548. Based on stylistic criteria, this magnificent wall-painting is attributed to the famous hagiographer from Thebes, Frago Catelano. -
Stop 4
The Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) is the most difficult to reach, but once you get to the very top the panoramic view of the surroundings is simply captivating!
This Monastery is very close to the Saint Stephen’s Nunnery and it is perched on a steep and magnificent rock. It had already been organized Monastery since the year 1362 as indicated in a document by Symeon Uressis Palaeologos. Visitors have to follow a pathway that directs them initially to the foot of the rock, before they start walking up about 140 steps. -
Stop 5
he Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery that we encounter on our way to the Holy Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century.
For the name Anapafsas there are numerous interpretations two of which are the most popular. The first one is that the name Anapafsas was attributed by one of the monastery’s benefactors, while the second explanation has to do with the monastery’s position being the first to be encountered on the way up and probably served to the pilgrims and other visitors as a resting place before continuing on.
Meeting point
The tour will start and finish at Kalampaka train station.
Good to know
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A small amount of walking is involved, but there are stairs to climb in the monasteries
- To enter the monasteries, appropriate clothing is required; Ladies should not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves; Men are not allowed to wear shorts
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Meteora Tour: Monasteries, Lunch & Optional Athens Transfer take?
The experience lasts about 5h.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $34.26 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Local English speaking tour leader; WiFi on board; Bottled water; Air-conditioned vehicle; Visit inside 3 monasteries and the hidden hermit caves.
Where does it start?
The tour will start and finish at Kalampaka train station.
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in German, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, Japanese, English, Chinese, Italian, Polish, French, Spanish.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 123 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Meteora.
