Guided Tours

From Athens: Meteora Monasteries & Caves Full-Day Trip

Visitors inside a Meteora monastery during a 1-day tour from Athens by train.

Meteora monastery perched on a rock formation in Greece, surrounded by lush green landscape.

Interior of the Monastery of Varlaam with frescoes and stone columns, Greece.

Tour group at Meteora rock formations during 1-day train trip from Athens.

Duration

10 hr - 14 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Guided tour

Transfers included

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.7/5

(444)

Urinboy

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

I joined a Meteora tour with Riki, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. The guide’s knowledge of the monasteries, local history, and the rock formations made the entire journey fascinating. The pacing was comfortable, with enough time to enjoy the views and take photos without feeling rushed. What really stood out was the passion for the area—it made every stop feel meaningful rather than just a photo opportunity. Overall, it was a well-organized, engaging, and memorable experience that I’d recommend to anyone visiting Meteora.

Aknin

Jul 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Our guide Eva was really good, she answered every question we had and was particularly benevolent. Leonidas the driver of the bus was really nice too ! The landscapes were breath-taking, and the monasteries were very interesting. The only thing that bothered us during our trip was from the app, because we saw pictures of a minivan and thought we were going to be in a group of 5/6 people. We were in fact on a bus, but as it was half-full, we could sit whenever we wanted and could switch sides to see the view.

Florescu

Aug 2025

Verified booking

4/5

The organisation of the visit to the Meteora monasteries was impeccable, from the pickup in front of the Larisa metro station to the end. The guide (I apologise for not remembering his name) was particularly well-informed; he answered all the participants' questions competently. The three monasteries visited were well chosen, impressive in their positions, perched on the rocks of Meteora and in terms of the treasures of Orthodox art. The lunch, although frugal, was sufficient.

Skip the hassle and experience all of Meteora in one seamless day. Travel from Athens in a luxury, air-conditioned coach and enjoy a curated journey through all six cliff-top monasteries.

Your guide will share how monks scaled 300-meter cliffs with rope pulleys and tell tales of hermits who lived in silence for decades.

Climb the stone stairways to 3 to 4 active monasteries in Meteora, like the Great Meteoron, the oldest and largest, or Varlaam, home to a towering 12,000-litre rain barrel still in use today.

Walk a short trail to the Hermit Caves of Badovas, where monks once lived in cliffside grottoes, climbing with ropes and ladders that still hang above the cave mouths.

Choose the lunch upgrade and enjoy comforting dishes like baked feta drizzled with honey, cinnamon-laced moussaka, and crispy spanakopita at Kastraki Village.

Round-trip, luxury coach transfers to and from Athens (with free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and air-conditioned facilities)

Meteora tour with panoramic views of all 6 monasteries

Entry to 3 to 4 monasteries (subject to the day’s schedule, as some monasteries are closed on specific weekdays)

Entry to the Hermit Caves of Badovas

English-speaking driver

Expert English or Spanish-speaking tour guide (based on option selected)

Smart audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese

Traditional Greek lunch at Kastraki Village (based on option selected)

Bottled mineral water

Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Athens

A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery

Guide inside the monasteries (multilingual audio guides available)

Tips for the guide (optional)

You can cancel these tickets up to 3 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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Guests from Spain, France, United States and over 32 countries have loved this experience
Bence
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
I liked the service provided by the tour guide, the drivers and the company as a whole. Eva was so kind, considerate , and hospitable. She made sure everyone's needs were met. She answered all our questions with kindness. The tour itself was worth the long bus ride, the views from the bus were breathtaking. Meteora now holds a special place in our hearts. Its beauty and history is something to behold and remembered.
Emiliano
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Was a really great experience!!
Kourosh
Aug, 2025Verified booking
5/5
I really liked the whole trip. The team of our tour leader and the drivers was amazing. They were all really helpful and explained everything as good as they could. I now know a lot about Meteora because Eva (the tour guide) was so great.
Carmen
Aug, 2025Verified booking
5/5
A very good experience. Although the trip is quite long, it is worth it. Maria, the tour guide who accompanied us, EXCELLENT! Attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. Her explanations were great. The tipi buffet lunch was also very good, in a very nice local restaurant.
Urinboy
Aug, 2025Verified booking
5/5
I joined a Meteora tour with Riki, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. The guide’s knowledge of the monasteries, local history, and the rock formations made the entire journey fascinating. The pacing was comfortable, with enough time to enjoy the views and take photos without feeling rushed. What really stood out was the passion for the area—it made every stop feel meaningful rather than just a photo opportunity. Overall, it was a well-organized, engaging, and memorable experience that I’d recommend to anyone visiting Meteora.

What to bring

Bring some cash for entrance donations (€3 to €5 per monastery) and any purchases, as credit card facilities may not be available.

Opt for sturdy shoes with good grip, as paths can be uneven and include many steps.

Carry water and light snacks, especially during warmer months (June to August).

Don’t forget to bring your own earphones and a fully charged phone to listen to the audio guides comfortably.

What's not allowed

While outdoor photography is generally permitted, refrain from taking photos inside churches and of monks or nuns.

Flying drones is prohibited without special permission.

Accessibility

Meteora is not wheelchair accessible. All monasteries involve steps or inclined paths.

If you have mobility constraints, consider visiting monasteries like St. Stephen’s, which has a paved path and minimal stairs.

Additional information

Your tour bus will be across from Larissa train station on Theodore Diligianni Street, in front of Everest Café. Look for the 'Visit Meteora' sign.

Expect to visit 2 to 4 monasteries. Each has a weekly closing day (Great Meteoron on Tuesdays, Varlaam on Fridays), so the lineup may vary.

All monasteries require a €3 to €5 offering per person, payable in cash at the gate.

Tour guides are not allowed inside the monasteries. To continue exploring while inside, take advantage of the multilingual audio guides.

Tours use minibuses or local shuttles to transport visitors between sites.

Basic toilets are available at larger monasteries (Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St. Stephen) and may require a small tip.

The Meteora monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear long pants; women need long skirts and shoulder coverage. Sleeveless tops and shorts are not allowed.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Meeting point

Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.