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From Athens: Meteora Monasteries & Caves Full-Day Trip with Lunch

Tour guide speaking to passengers on a bus during the Meteora Monasteries tour from Athens.
Meteora monastery perched on a cliff with mountains in the background, Greece.
Tour guide explaining rock formations to tourists in Meteora, Greece.
Meteora monastery perched on rock formation, surrounded by lush landscape, Greece.

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

Transfers included

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.6/5

(208)

Alice Diaconu

Alice

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I had an amazing trip to Meteora today! Our guide, Kate, was absolutely wonderful – friendly, knowledgeable, and always smiling, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The driver was also excellent, making the journey smooth and comfortable. The monasteries of Meteora were breathtaking – perched high on the rocks with stunning views all around. It truly felt like stepping into another world, full of history, spirituality, and natural beauty. Walking through the ancient paths and seeing how the monasteries were built on such incredible rock formations was unforgettable. I highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Greece – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that combines history, culture, and some of the most magnificent landscapes you’ll ever see!
Tania Fraga Beiroa

Tania

Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The place is stunning, definitely worth visiting. The guide Vaso and both our drivers wery very nice and helpful. I must say we didn't actually visit the Hermit cave, only the caves were mentioned from afar. Also boarding the buses in the morning was a bit chaotic, there where 4 buses on both sides of the street and it took a long time to figure out which one each person was supposed to be in (I arrived 40min early and still was the last to board the bus), as everyone is sent to the same bus and the poor driver was overwhelmed with the queue of people asking where to go. I feel like there must be an easier, more organised way to do this.
Urinboy Komilov

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.
    • This tour is your all-in-one pass to Meteora, combining luxury travel, monastery visits, hidden cave access, and a traditional Greek lunch, all in one unforgettable day.
    • A professional guide will share how monks carved staircases into sheer cliffs, how nuns preserve ancient rituals, and the hidden meanings behind frescoes painted during Ottoman rule.
    • Depending on the day, explore Great Meteoron, with its fresco-lined dining hall and relic-filled ossuary, or Varlaam, known for its ornate domed chapels and a 12,000-litre rain barrel suspended high above the valley floor.
    • Follow a short trail to reach the weather-worn Hermit Caves, where monks once lived in complete isolation, hoisting up supplies with ropes and ladders that still dangle hauntingly above the entrances.
    • Did you know? At Great Meteoron Monastery, a monk named Father Theophilos spent over a decade reviving 15th-century frescoes using natural pigments made from crushed stone and local plants.
    • 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
    • Traditional Greek lunch at Kastraki Village
    • 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
    • Bottled mineral water onboard
    • 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.

  • 4.6
    208 ratings

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    150
    44
    6
    5
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    Guests from Spain, United States, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Giselle Rojas Vega

    Giselle

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    100% recommendable. A beautiful place, with magnificent views. In addition, our guide Rula, attentive and friendly, was always close to the group, making sure everything was correct.
    Hidde Snoek

    Hidde

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    It was a beautiful day with lovely vieuws. It was more beautiful then i expected. Definitly worth it! The food, people, monks, busdrive, monestry. I enjoyed it all!
    Urinboy Komilov

    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.
    Florescu Ion Sorin

    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.
    Jacek Sykulski

    Jacek

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Eva was a great guide! She showed us the best places, explained everything with great knowledge. The day of many wonders. Thank you for this exceptional professional trip! 🤩🗺️✨ #Guide #Places #Knowledge #Wonders #Trip
  • What to bring

    • Bring cash for monastery offerings (€3 to €5 per site) and any small purchases.
    • Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with a good grip. Trails and monastery steps can be uneven and steep.
    • Carry water and a light snack, especially during the summer months (June to August).
    • Don’t forget earphones and a fully charged smartphone if you plan to use the audio guide during your visit.

    What's not allowed

    • Photography is welcome in outdoor areas, but taking pictures inside churches, or of monks and nuns, is not permitted.
    • Drone use is strictly forbidden unless you have special permission.

    Accessibility

    • Most of Meteora’s sites are not wheelchair-friendly, as all monasteries involve climbing stairs or navigating inclined paths.
    • For visitors with limited mobility, St. Stephen’s Monastery offers the easiest access, with a level, paved path and minimal steps.

    Additional information

    • Exit Larissa station and head straight across the street. You'll find your 'Visit Meteora' bus parked on Theodore Diligianni Street, right outside Everest Café.
    • Depending on the day, you’ll enter 2 to 4 monasteries. Each monastery has one designated closing day per week (Great Meteoron is closed Tuesdays, and Varlaam is closed Fridays), so the tour route may vary.
    • Monastery offerings (€3 to €5 per person) are not typically included in tour prices and must be paid in cash at the gate.
    • A modest dress code is strictly enforced at all monasteries. Men should wear long pants, while women must wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. Wrap skirts and shawls are available at the entrance if needed.
    • Tours use local minibuses or shuttle vans for transportation between stops. Roads can be winding, but distances are short.
    • Toilets are available at larger monasteries like Great Meteoron, Varlaam, and St. Stephen’s. A small tip is often expected when using them.
    • Guides are not permitted to offer commentary inside the monasteries. Enhance your visit with the multi-language audio guide.
    • 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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