Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport Discount Tickets

4.8
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 348 reviews |
location pin icon Athens, Greece
location pin icon Athens
4.8 /5
348 reviews
View all Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport photos
View all Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport photos

Get your discount tickets for the Meteora Half-Day Small Group Monasteries Tour with Hotel Pickup, save up to 12% !

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Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport
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$25.76

REG. $29.33

Offer details

Pickup included

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our Meteora Half-Day Tour! Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, where dramatic rock formations meet centuries of spiritual history. Travel in a small group for a more personal experience as you visit the interiors of three iconic monasteries and enjoy panoramic photo stops. Led by a local English-speaking tour leader, gain fascinating insights into the monks and hermits who shaped this unique landscape. Enhance your experience with our multilingual smart audio guide (10 languages). Learn from your guide or listen in your preferred language with 20+ geo-located points of interest, covering hidden stories and key landmarks. Skip the stress—no need to drive or find parking. With pick-up and drop-off included, you can fully relax and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free experience. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups, this tour offers a seamless, enriching, and well-paced way to explore Meteora.

Pickup Information

We offer pick up and drop off from all the hotels and AirBNBs that are located at Kalambaka and Kastraki village.

Language Offered

German-AUDIO

Russian-AUDIO

Korean-AUDIO

Portuguese-AUDIO

Japanese-AUDIO

English-AUDIO

English-GUIDE

Italian-AUDIO

Polish-AUDIO

French-AUDIO

Spanish-AUDIO

Itinerary

1. Meteora
The 24 monasteries emerged on the countless summits of the rocks from the 14th until the 16th century, 6 of them remaining to be explored and admired by all. These monasteries became the centers of the Orthodox creed in the Byzantine era, having produced some of the best pieces of religious art and craft and still possessing a collection of precious manuscripts, which today are on display in their museums. The Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia region has been officially declared a Natura 2000 Ecological Zone by the Greek Ministry of Environment, for the protection of rare species of birds and flowers.
2. 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. 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.
3. Roussanou Monastery
The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later. Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent in 1988.
Duration: 45 mins
4. Varlaam Monastery
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.
Duration: 45 mins
5. Great Meteoron Monastery
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.
Duration: 60 mins
6. Holy Trinity Monastery
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.
7. Agios Stefanos
This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery. The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century. Hosios Antonios, in the first half of the 15th century, and Hosios Philotheos, who renovated or rather rebuilt from its foundations the old small and elegant Catholicon, the present church of Agios Stephanos, in 1545 are mentioned as its founders.

Inclusion

Free WiFi on board

Bottled water

Tour is guided in English only. Additional languages (Spanish, French and German) are available on a free audioguide.

Free smart audio guide in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish.

Hotel pickup and drop-off to/from Kalambaka or Kastraki

Exclusion

Food and drinks

Gratuities

Entrance fees

Guide will not escort inside the monasteries

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

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please bring comfortable shoes

The monasteries have a strict dress code: men must wear trousers and long sleeves, women must wear a long skirt. If you do turn up in shorts, trousers and skirts will be provided.

Tour is guided in English only. Additional languages (Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) are available on a free audio guide.

Bring cash for the entrance fees. Some monasteries do not accept credit cards.

Supplied by Visit Meteora

Reviews

4.8

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 348 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
308
4 stars
25
3 stars
11
2 stars
3
1 stars
1

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