Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup Discount Tickets

4.5
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 735 reviews |
location pin icon Athens, Greece
location pin icon Athens
4.5 /5
735 reviews
View all Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup photos
View all Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup photos

Get your discount tickets for the Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup, save up to 14% !

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14% OFF Refundable
Tour only (excluding lunch)
FROM

$85.08

REG. $98.83

Offer details

Pickup included
14% OFF Refundable
Tour with Greek lunch
FROM

$104.33

REG. $121.19

Offer details

Traditional Greek lunch: Book this option to join a group tour of Meteora and enjoy a traditional Greek lunch at a local restaurant. Pickup included

Overview

Embarking on the Meteora Day Trip from Athens by bus offers a distinctive journey into one of Greece's most awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This tour provides the convenience of round-trip transportation from Athens in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus, allowing travelers to relax and enjoy the scenic Greek countryside en route to Meteora. Upon arrival, participants have the opportunity to join a small group and visit 3 of the 6 historic monasteries, each perched atop towering rock formations, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into centuries-old monastic life. An optional traditional Greek lunch in the nearby village of Kastraki enhances the cultural experience. The inclusion of an audio guide enriches the journey with historical insights and stories about the monasteries and the surrounding landscape. This combination of seamless transportation, guided exploration, and cultural immersion makes this tour a unique and enriching way to experience the wonders of Meteora.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

You need to be at the opposite side of the Athens Railway Station at 07:30 am. You can reach the Athens Railway Station by metro, getting off at the Larissis Metro Station.

Pickup Information

A complimentary pickup service is offered from selected centrally located hotels in Athens approximately one hour before the tour's departure. The supplier will email you prior to your tour date with details about the pickup location and time. Please note that drop-off service is not included, the tour ends at Larissis Station.

Language Offered

German-AUDIO

Russian-AUDIO

Portuguese-AUDIO

Korean-AUDIO

Japanese-AUDIO

English-AUDIO

English-GUIDE

Italian-AUDIO

Polish-AUDIO

French-AUDIO

Spanish-AUDIO

Itinerary

1. Athens
Discover one of Greece’s most awe-inspiring landscapes on a single, unforgettable day trip. Departing from Athens, you'll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, taking in the scenic beauty of the Greek countryside as you make your way to the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Catch the bus of 07:30 am to Kalambaka in the morning from opposite the Athens Railway Station and enjoy a trip that will give you the chance to admire the beauty of the countryside. Arrive around 12:30 pm in Kalambaka.
2. Kamena Vourla
Seaside Brunch Stop: Skip the busy highway rest areas—enjoy a peaceful brunch by the sea, just steps from the water. Sip your coffee or savor a light meal with ocean views and fresh coastal air. Meals are optional and can be pre-ordered via our onboard app for a hassle-free experience.
Duration: 30 mins
3. Kastraki
Upon reaching Kalabaka, we'll begin the adventure with a leisurely lunch and a convenient restroom break in the charming village of Kastraki. Take this opportunity to refuel and prepare for an awe-inspiring exploration of the breathtaking Meteora region
Duration: 40 mins
4. Varlaam Monastery
Visit the impressive Varlaam Monastery, the second largest of Meteora’s monasteries, perched high on a rocky pinnacle. Your guide will share the fascinating history of its 16th-century construction and the lives of the monks who once hauled materials up by rope. Admire the richly frescoed chapel, historic relics, and panoramic views over the dramatic landscape below.
Duration: 45 mins
5. Great Meteoron Monastery
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the largest and oldest of all the Meteora monasteries. Built atop a towering rock formation, it earned the name “meteoro,” meaning “suspended in the air.” Founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, it became the first organized monastic community in the area, laying the foundation for Meteora’s rich spiritual heritage.
6. Meteora
Be amazed by the secluded hermit caves of Badovas, a powerful reflection of the solitude and spiritual dedication of Meteora’s earliest monks. As you explore these remote cliffside shelters, you’ll uncover the stories of the hermits who once lived here and see the traces of their simple dwellings—offering a rare glimpse into their austere, contemplative way of life.
Duration: 25 mins
7. Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen
St. Stephen’s Monastery is the most accessible of all the Meteora monasteries, requiring no stairs—just a short walk across a small bridge to reach its entrance—making it ideal for visitors with limited mobility who still want an authentic monastic experience. Monastic life on this rock began as early as the 12th century, with key figures like Hosios Antonios and Hosios Philotheos credited for its development, the latter having rebuilt the original church in 1545. Today, the monastery features two churches: a 16th-century chapel that suffered damage during WWII and the Greek Civil War, and a larger 18th-century cathedral dedicated to Saint Charalambos, which houses his revered relics.
Duration: 30 mins
8. Kalabaka
At the end of the day, our expert escort will transfer you back to Kalambaka, where you will have the time to stroll around. At 5:35 p.m. the bus departs from Kalambaka, and arrives at 9:58 p.m back to Athens.
Duration: 60 mins
9. Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas
The 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.
Duration: 10 mins
10. Kalambaka
Enjoy the panoramic view of the town Kalampaka
11. Roussanou Monastery
The Holy Monastery of Roussanou is believed to be named after the first hermit who settled on its rock. Its main church was established in the late 16th century and beautifully decorated around thirty years later. Unlike some of the more elevated Meteora monasteries, Roussanou sits on a lower rock, making it easier to reach. Originally founded by monks, the monastery suffered significant damage during World War II. In 1988, it was transformed into a convent and continues to be a place of spiritual life and tradition.
Duration: 10 mins
12. Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)
The Holy Trinity Monastery is the most challenging to access, but the breathtaking panoramic views from the top make the climb well worth the effort. Situated near St. Stephen’s Nunnery, this monastery sits atop a striking, steep rock formation. To reach it, visitors follow a path leading to the base of the rock, then ascend approximately 140 steps to the summit, where stunning scenery and spiritual history await.
Duration: 10 mins
13. Kamena Vourla
Sunset Dinner by the Sea: On the way back, enjoy an optional dinner stop in a picturesque coastal town. It’s the ideal setting to relax, enjoy authentic Greek dishes, and take in a stunning sunset by the water—an unforgettable end to your day.
Duration: 45 mins

Inclusion

Greek lunch with 10 dishes, including vegetarian options (if option is selected)

Local English speaking tour leader

Roundtrip transfer from Athens to Meteora

Coastal stopovers for brunch and dinner at beachfront restaurant

Visit the interior of 3 most beautiful monasteries

Visit to the hermit caves

Pickup service from centrally located hotels in Athens

Multilingual Monasteries audio tour

Free map and bottle of water

Exclusion

Drop-off service in Athens

Guided tour inside the monasteries (audio guide available for free)

Entrance fees

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

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

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Infants (ages 3 and under) are free

To enter the monasteries, appropriate clothing is required. Women should not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves. Men are not allowed to wear shorts.

Amendments are serviced based on the availability

The tour requires customers to climb stairs upon their approach to the monasteries. If someone finds climbing stairs challenging, it is possible to wait at the parking area where some benches are.

Customers do not need to buy the monasteries tickets ahead of time. They pay in cash on the spot.

The bus that will drive the customers to Kalambaka is only for the travel group.

Supplied by Keytours - Greece

Reviews

4.5

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 735 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
543
4 stars
115
3 stars
35
2 stars
21
1 stars
21

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