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Guided Tours

Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves & Seaside Escapes

Tourists walking on the stone stairs of the Monastery of Varlaam, surrounded by lush greenery.
St. George Mandilas cave Meteora
Guest overlooking Great Meteoron Monastery from a viewpoint in Meteora, Greece.
Aerial view of Kamena Vourla coastline with marina and lush mountains.

Duration

10 hr - 14 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours 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

4.5/5

(36)

Louise Chevalier

Louise

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Maria made the tour interactive and fun, blending humor with solid insights. Dimitri managed the challenging drive with ease, and the comfortable bus made the long journey enjoyable. Totally worth it!
Matilda Reed

Matilda

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Katerina and Dimitrios were exceptional. She explained everything with expertise, and he kept the ride smooth and timely. Everything was perfectly organized.
Angela Carter

Angela

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The bus was comfortable, the journey scenic, and Dimitri handled the long drive so well. Maria kept everyone engaged the whole way, and it never felt dull.
    • 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.
    • Entry to three of the most popular monasteries in Meteora
    • Guided tour of Meteora
    • Access to the hidden Hermit Caves
    • Expert English-speaking guide
    • Round-trip transfers in an AC minibus
    • Traditional Greek lunch (as per option selected)
    • Scenic brunch stop by the sea (Kamena Vourla)
    • Wi-Fi and USB charging on the minibus
    • Digital audio guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean & Chinese.
    • Guided tour inside the monasteries (audio guides available)
    • Small offerings at each monastery (between €3 to €5)
    • Entrance fee of €5 per monastery, to be paid in cash only.
    • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.5
    36 ratings
    5/5
    21
    4/5
    12
    3/5
    3
    2/5
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    Marie Schäfer

    Marie

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    4/5
    The perfect mix of culture and nature. We learned fascinating stories while taking in views that were nothing short of spectacular.
    Angela Carter

    Angela

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The bus was comfortable, the journey scenic, and Dimitri handled the long drive so well. Maria kept everyone engaged the whole way, and it never felt dull.
    Sarah Anderson

    Sarah

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    A seamless experience from start to finish. Katerina’s deep knowledge of Meteora was evident, and Dimitrios ensured we stayed comfortable the entire day.
    Matilda Reed

    Matilda

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Katerina and Dimitrios were exceptional. She explained everything with expertise, and he kept the ride smooth and timely. Everything was perfectly organized.
    Louise Chevalier

    Louise

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Maria made the tour interactive and fun, blending humor with solid insights. Dimitri managed the challenging drive with ease, and the comfortable bus made the long journey enjoyable. Totally worth it!
  • 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.
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